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The Godfather of British Pop Art: Special concert in honour of Sir Peter Blake’s 90th birthday - date and line-up

Pop artist Sir Peter Blake turned 90 in June  (Anthony Devlin/PA)
Pop artist Sir Peter Blake turned 90 in June (Anthony Devlin/PA)

English pop artist Sir Peter Blake is being honoured with a birthday concert this December for his 90th.

The now 90-year-old designer found notoriety in his album cover artworks for famous bands such as The Beatles and The Who.

Most famously, Blake co-designed the iconic album sleeve for the Beetles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1967, with his first wife, Jann Haworth.

His style shaped pop culture, with various references to influential figures included in his work.

He is also known for his artwork on two of The Who‘s albums, the cover of the charity supergroup Band Aid’s 1984 single Do They Know It’s Christmas?, and the 1985 Live Aid concert poster.

Sir Pete Blake was also awarded a knighthood at Buckingham Palace in 2002 for his services to the arts, as a painter, sculptor, draughtsman, and printmaker.

Now the Southbank Centre is hosting a night dedicated to the artist, with a charitable decision to donate the proceeds towards the Teenage Cancer Trust and Graeae Theatre Company.

Here’s what you should know about the “Godfather of British Pop Art”:

When is Sir Peter Blake’s birthday concert?

Ticketholders can enjoy the semi-acoustic sets on Friday, December 2, 2022, at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall.

The four-hour show is sold out, however, some tickets may be returned through the Southbank Centre’s website.

Who will be featured in Sir Peter Blake’s 90th birthday concert?

 (Southbank Centre / Sir Peter Blake 90th Birthday Concert)
(Southbank Centre / Sir Peter Blake 90th Birthday Concert)

The concert line-up includes Roger Daltrey, Baxter Dury, Noel Gallagher, Chrissie Hynde, and Madness.

The Who, for whom Sir Blake also created artwork during their 2019 comeback, will perform an acoustic set.

BBC Radio 4’s John Wilson will be hosting the event, filled with familiar faces.

Peter Weller, the show’s curator, said: “We’re coming to celebrate this brilliant artist who has given us all so much for over 70 years! Thank you Peter!”