Graduate and photographer who captured Davie Bowie, The Clash and Joy Division gets honorary degree

University of the West of Scotland (UWS) awarded Harry Papadopoulos, who is a graduate of UWS, with an Honorary Doctorate at its graduation ceremony at Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church, Paisley.

The music photographer, who graduated with a BSc in Electrical & Electronic Engineering at the former Paisley College of Technology (now UWS) in 1976, started off his career as a primary school maths and physics teacher.

However, he is best known for his hugely important contribution to music photography in the 1980s.

Who would have thought, after all these years, I would be once more honoured. Myself and my family are very proud.

Harry Papadopoulos, BSc Electrical & Electronic Engineering 1976

His photographic career began outside the Apollo in Glasgow, selling photos he had taken to gig-goers.

He soon moved to London, and from 1979 to 1984 he worked as a staff photographer for Sounds, for which he provided countless front covers.

During those five years he covered Blondie, David Bowie, Devo, Joy Division, Bryan Ferry, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Clash, The Specials, Wham!, ABC, Edwyn Collins, The Associates and many, many more. Harry’s London flat also became home to fellow Scots such as Aztec Camera, Orange Juice and the Bluebells.

Following his time at Sounds, Harry became editor for a number of Marvel Comic publications, including Care Bears, Flintstones and Star Trek.

After suffering a brain aneurysm in 2002, Harry returned to Glasgow and, as part of his long-term rehabilitation, assisted with curating the exhibition of his photographs at Street Level Photoworks, which received critical acclaim from the UK press and public alike, putting Paisley on the map.

Professor Craig Mahoney, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of University of the West of Scotland, said: “Harry is a truly inspiring character who has overcome real adversity and we were delighted to be able to recognise and celebrate his achievements in this way.

“His photography is extremely highly regarded nationally and internationally and it was great to be able to welcome a former student such as himself back to UWS.”