Neil Libbert: the faces that came to define an era – in pictures

The National Portrait Gallery’s solo exhibition of photographs by Neil Libbert celebrates his 55 years as an award-winning photojournalist for the Observer, the Guardian and many other publications. So often in the right place at the right time, Libbert has captured many of today’s biggest names at the start – and also at the height – of their careers. Here we tell some of the stories behind these compelling portraits.

Photograph: GEORGE BEST 20 October 1965. Neil Libbert/National Portrait Gallery, London