An oversized UK promotional poster featuring photography by Michael Spencer Jones for the 1997 release of Britpop band Oasis' third studio album 'Be Here Now,' following the worldwide success of 'Definitely Maybe' (1994) and '(What's the Story) Morning Glory?' (1995). Predominantly written by Noel Gallagher during a Caribbean holiday with Kate Moss, Johnny Depp and Mick Jagger, the hotly anticipated release became the fastest selling album in British chart history. The album cover artwork featured a shot of the band in the garden at Stocks House in Hertfordshire, positioned around a white Rolls Royce floating in the middle of a swimming pool in a symbolic statement of rock and roll excess. Photographer Michael Spencer Jones, who had previously shot the band's first two album covers, later recalled: "It was an expensive shoot, that. An hundred grand shoot and record companies don’t spend that kind of money making one photo. It’s not normal... Maybe for a Pink Floyd cover but it’s a big budget for an album cover. You don’t spend that much recording an album... Originally, it was an homage to Keith Moon. A bit of rock and roll surrealism, I suppose." This impressive billboard poster focused on the iconic image of the submerged Rolls, which featured the same number plate as the police van on the cover of The Beatles' 'Abbey Road.' Asked by NME in 1997 whether the submerged Rolls Royce was a nod to The Who's Keith Moon, who was rumoured to have driven a Rolls into a swimming pool during his 21st birthday party, Noel replied "Nah, I suppose it's just a rock'n'roll cliché, innit? And being a rock'n'roll band, we're into all that shit."

Provenance

 Backing has smoothed minor nicks and creases to edges and some light scattered creases through image. Fine surface loss to creases. Slight colour washout to a few tiny moisture splashes. Colours otherwise excellent.