In celebration of Sky Arts brand new documentary series 'ICON: Music Through The Lens' we've compiled a collection of iconic images from the world's greatest music photographers.
For anyone with a love of music and photography, this six part documentary series is a must. Starting on 6th November, the series celebrates the huge cultural impact of music photography and tells the stories behind many of the world's most iconic images.
The series has been created and curated by the wonderful Gered Mankowitz and directed by highly acclaimed Dick Carruthers to take an intimate look at this fascinating medium using iconic images that defined entire genres and eras.
Featuring 50 leading music photographers including Jill Furmanovsky, Gered Mankowitz, Kevin Westenberg, Kevin Cummins & Bob Gruen, viewers are taken on a fascinating journey that reveals how many of these classic photographs were created. Each image has its own unique story and through these we learn about what life on the road or in the studio was like, how magical moments were created and hidden techniques of the trade. This is combined with anecdotes and commentary from musicians such as Nick Mason, Glen Matlock, Ziggy Marley, Alice Cooper, Lars Ulrich and many others making this unique documentary a rich celebration of music photography across the years.
Watch the trailer for the first episode here
Jimi Hendrix silkscreen print called 'Purple and Gold which was used as the cover for Jimi's album 'The Ultimate Experience' in 1992.
This was taken during a break in filming the Oasis Wonderwall video.
Mick Rock cover artwork for the iconic Queen 2 album released in 1974
Amy Winehouse captured in the corridor of the Union Chapel - "She seemed particularly happy that night" - Jill Furmanovsky
Captivating shot of Kate Bush known as 'Drama' taken in 1978 by Gered Mankowitz at the height of her career
Iconic image of Nick Cave captured during a Mojo photo shoot for his album 'Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!' in December 2008
Iconic photo of Lou Reed taken by the legendary photographer Mick Rock in London, 1975.
Debbie Harry, Blondie, at a photoshoot by Mick Rcko in New York, 1978 to accompany an interview to promote the release of Parallel Lines
Kevin Westenberg photograph taken during a Paul Weller N.M.E. cover shoot in London in June 1997.
White Stripes during their first big UK photo shoot for Mojo Magazine shot in Camden, London in May 2002
Bob Marley sitting on the bed of a rented apartment on Gloucester Road in London in February 1978
Iconic Purple Haze portrait of Jimi Hendrix by Gered Mankowitz
Paul Weller beautifully captured in March 2020 just before the world locked down due to Covid-19
Alternative version of Gered Mankowitz's classic shot of Jimi Hendrix smoking taken at his Mason's Yard Studio in London, 1967.
Keith Richards captured backstage during the Rolling Stones US Tour in 1965
Keith Richards with his acoustic Gibson Hummingbird guitar taken at RCA Studios in Hollywood in 1965.
The Eurythmics captured during a photo shoot in Paris, 1986 for the cover art for their album 'Revenge'
Classic early shot of Joy Division rehearsing at the TJ Davidson's Rehearsal Rooms in August 1979
Jimmy Page onstage at Led Zeppelin's legendary Earls Court Arena concerts in 1975
John Lennon in New York City in 1974, this was during the period when he recorded 'Walls and Bridges'.
Robert Plant & Jimmy Page performing in New York City in 1977, their eleventh & final concert tour of North America by the English rock band
Beautiful Bob Gruen photograph of Mick Jagger from the Rolling Stones playing guitar in New York in 1972.
Mick Jagger & Keith Richards from The Rolling Stones performing live at the legendary Madison Square Gardens, New York in July 1972
Mick Jones, Joe Strummer, Topper Headon & Paul Simonon of the Clash backstage at the Concert for Kampuchea, Hammersmith Apollo, 1979
Chuck Berry Performing at Madison Square Gardens in New York City, October 1971.
Punk icon Sid Vicious reading MAD magazine in Baton Rouge, Louisiana during the Sex Pistols one and only US tour in January 1978.
Aladdin Sane is the one image that has defined David Bowie and is nicknamed the 'Mona Lisa of Pop' - Shot by Duffy in his London studio.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience performing at the Marquee Club, London in March 1967
The Who (Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle and Keith Moon) onstage at the Marquee Club, London in 1967
The Sex Pistols enjoying a stroll on Carnaby Street, London during the early days of Punk in 1976
Iconic shot of Debbie Harry, Blondie taken by legendary photographer Mick Rock in New York City in 1978
Photo shoot for Telegraph Sunday Magazine used on Parallel Lines picture disc, taken in New York in 1978.
Debbie Harry, Blondie recording Parallel Lines at the Record Plant Studio, New York in 1978
Cover artwork for The Jam's debut album 'In The City' released in 1977
Stunning image of Amy Winehouse taken in a North London launderette during a photo shoot in winter 2004.
Relaxing backstage at Abbey Road Studios during the recording of debut album 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn'
Exclusive David Bowie print specially created by The Postman for Rockarchive, based on a photograph taken by Dave Hogan at Live Aid in 1985
Underwater photo of Krist Novoselic in a LA swimming pool whilst on a Nirvana publicty shoot
Bob Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, musician, & guitarist who achieved international fame & acclaim.
Queen are a British rock band credited with making significant contributions to such genres as hard rock & heavy metal, among others.
Oasis was an English rock music band formed in Manchester in 1991, to date the band has sold over 70 million records worldwide.
Jeff Beck is one of rock’s most respected and dynamic instrumentalists. He is widely regarded as a “guitarist’s guitarist”.
Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.
Jill Furmanovsky is one of the greatest ever rock & roll photographers with a huge archive of iconic shots of the world's best music artists
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