Welcome to the online home of Paul Gorman’s definitive book Reasons To Be Cheerful: The Life And Work Of Barney Bubbles.

Here you’ll find adapted, expanded and sometimes totally fresh information and images relating to the legendary designer and radical visual artist whose work is only now gaining wider appreciation as a result of the book’s publication.

For the full story, buy the book.

Like the book, this blog is a celebration of the extraordinary creative output of the man born Colin Fulcher in Whitton, Middx on July 30 1942.

While his life undoubtedly contained tragic aspects - Barney suffered from bouts of depression and took his own life on November 14 1983 - his body of work has escaped the shadow of such sadness, and rermains a potent source of inspiration for fresh generations of artists, designers, musicians and music fans.

Our regularly updated exclusives, interviews, commentary and news will run the gamut of Barney Bubbles’ output, from art-school sketches and posters for such early 60s bands as the Rolling Stones and the Muleskinners, his commercial commissions at Conran Design, the psychedelic light shows for the likes of Pink Floyd, art direction for  underground magazines Oz and Friends/Frendz and, of course, the 150-plus record sleeve designs for which he is best known.

These were created for a diverse range of performers, from Quintessence, Hawkwind, Brinsley Schwarz, Kevin Coyne, The Sutherland Brothers and Quiver to Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, The Damned, Ian Dury, Generation X, The Adverts, Depeche Mode, Billy Bragg and even Keith Allen.

Simultaneously Barney Bubbles delivered amazing concert posters, music press ads, logos, record labels, badges, set designs and t-shirts, along with a series of ground-breaking promo videos  - including the era-defining Ghost Town clip for The Specials - as well as furniture and paintings.

Since the publication of the book, a few of Barney’s friends have contributed archive material which is further enhancing and illuminating knowledge of his working practices and creative life. This material is being catalogued and collated for donation to a non-commercial enterprise such as an educational institution or library.

UPDATE: In mid-Feb we received the exciting news that another contributor to the book is willing to donate her substantial collection of BB-related material once a deserving home has been found.

Your participation in this blog is most welcome. Join in and help celebrate this important and influential figure who continues to enrich our visual culture.