Derek Ridgers: KU / Ibiza '84 Photo Zine

Derek Ridgers ‘KU / Ibiza 1984’ photo zine

Forty years after these previously unpublished photographs, Ojos de Buey recovers this portrayal of Ibiza, dubbed “the decadent playground of everybody’s imagination.”

Published by Ojos de Buey, April 2024, available here.

Forward by Derek Rigers:

Back in 1983, when my family first holidayed in Ibiza, I was shocked, not to say gobsmacked, when I saw the vibrant and extraordinary nightlife in the island’s capital.

Although much of the rest of the island was colonised by the kind of young British holiday makers that tend to spoil many Spanish resorts, Ibiza Town and the beaches and bars in it's immediate vicinity were completely different.

It seemed more upscale and far more multi-European. At night, the streets and bars around the harbour transformed into a hot and heady version of what was happening in some of the hipper London clubs at the time - places like the Camden Palace, Heaven and The Wag. And it was all extremely photogenic.

And a couple of miles out of the city itself was a huge nightclub called Ku, which stayed open until dawn. With it's central, open air swimming pool and dragon’s neck shaped waterslide, it was more like a James Bond film set than a nightclub.

When I went back to Ibiza again the following year, I decided to take a camera and shoot some pictures.

When I returned, I took my photographs into the The Face magazine. I tried to persuade them that there was a good story there. They weren't convinced. The features editor said to me "Why would our readers be interested in what's happening in Ibiza?"

I was very disappointed. At the time, The Face magazine had developed a worldwide reputation as trend spotters, which was richly deserved. But in 1984, my idea for an article on the scene in Ibiza was rejected. Nevertheless by 1985, what was happening in Ibiza was becoming big news.

In 1987, 4 top London club DJ's worked there for the summer. After which, they exported the sounds and styles of hot Ibizan nights to the rest of the World. Balearic beats, Ecstasy, chillout, superclubs and the rave scene - became the biggest youth culture story of the eighties.

When The Face eventually did cotton on, writer Don Macpherson called it “the decadent playground of everybody's imagination..."

I’d have to agree.