Rare images of Mod rockers The Who from their early days are to be exhibited.

The photographs, taken by Professor Colin Jones, will be unveiled to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the formation of the legendary London band.

“It is very satisfying looking at Colin’s wonderfully mischievous photographs today,” Pete Townshend revealed in an interview with the Sunday Times in 2007.

“There is a continuity between what I am doing today and what I was doing in those pictures. Seeing them makes me feel more like the artisan, potter or painter I have always longed to be, rather than a mere pop performer.”

The man behind the shots was an unlikely candidate to get access to the group. He was born in London in 1936, and aged 13 given the opportunity to train as a dancer with the Festival Ballet.

After escaping his working-class childhood in London’s East End and dancing in the English Royal Ballet, he became a photographer for The Observer in 1962.

Jones bought his first camera on tour in Japan when running an errand for Dame Margot Fonteyn.

He later documented the decline of industry in the North East for the book Grafters and London’s afro-Caribbean youth in The Black House. He also captured Swinging London with his famous pictures of The Who early in their career for Maximum Who.

His lack of academic prowess and severe dyslexia did not hold him back and he became one of the most celebrated and prolific photographers of post-war Britain.

“When I see these pictures of The Who in 1966,” added Townshend, “I think I am coming home again, back on course, approaching that old ideal. I can still see a constancy of purpose, even if it is rather vain.”

As well as being a fan of the pictures, which show the band shopping, shaving, sleeping and hanging out, Townshend even counted Jones as a friend. “During a separation with my girlfriend, he urged me to grovel a little to get her back. I did so and later married her.”

  • The Who 1966 is at theLucy Bell Gallery, Norman Road, St Leonards, from Saturday, March 29, to Saturday, May 10, open Wednesday to Saturday 11am to 4pm, free. Visit www.lucy-bell.com or call 01424 434828