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Pop Music

Pop Music

Pop music is a genre of popular music that originated in its modern form in the Western world during the 1950s and 1960s as a softer alternative to rock and roll. The terms "popular music" and "pop music" are often used interchangeably, although the former describes all music that is popular (and can include any style).

Although pop music is seen as just the singles charts, it is not the sum of all chart music. Pop music is eclectic, and often borrows elements from other styles such as urban, dance, rock, Latin, and country; nonetheless, there are core elements that define pop music. Identifying factors include generally short to medium-length songs written in a basic format (often the verse-chorus structure) as well as the common employment of repeated choruses, melodic tunes, and hooks.

In essence the characteristics of pop music include an aim of appealing to a general audience, rather than to a particular sub-culture or ideology, and an emphasis on craftsmanship rather than formal "artistic" qualities.

Close up shot of Annie Lennox, Eurythmics photographed in London in 1983 by Brian Aris

Annie Lennox

Stunning shot taken in 1983 of Annie Lennox wearing a striking make-up style that was originally created by artist Sue Mann

Prices from £333.33
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The B52s by artist Horace Panter

The B52s

Signed limited edition cassette print by Horace Panter of The B-52's

Prices from £166.67
print
Beatles, The (TB001BG)

The Beatles

John Lennon in New York City in 1974, this was during the period when he recorded 'Walls and Bridges'.

Prices from £281.25
print
Beatles, The (TB001MPUT)

The Beatles

John Lennon and Yoko Ono In the White Room in Ascot, 1971 where the classic video clip for ‘Imagine’ was shot

Prices from £3,500.00
print
Beatles, The (TB001WHIT)

The Beatles

This iconic 'Umbrella' image of The Beatles was taken in Scotland in 1964 on the banks of Loch Earn.

Prices from £900.00
print
Beatles, The (TB003BW)

The Beatles

John Lennon & Yoko Ono in the kitchen of their home in Tittenhurst Park Ascot, UK in 1971, taken after an on-site press interview.

Prices from £1,300.00
print
Beatles, The (TB004WHIT)

The Beatles

The Beatles having fun at Cliveden House whilst taking a break from filming the comedy, Help in May 1965.

Prices from £900.00
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Beatles, The (TB005WHIT)

The Beatles

Iconic photo of John Lennon with a flower in his eye, fondly known as 'Adoration'.

Prices from £900.00
print
Beatles, The (TB006WHIT)

The Beatles

A very relaxed looking John Lennon taken by photographer Robert Whitaker at his studio in London.

Prices from £900.00
print
Björk (BJ004JF)

Björk

Björk captured in 1995 by Jill Furmaovsky

Prices from £295.00
print
Blondie (BL001MAGO)

Blondie

Photo shoot for Telegraph Sunday Magazine used on Parallel Lines picture disc, taken in New York in 1978.

Prices from £395.00
print
Chic (CH001JF)

Chic

All four members of Chic cannot help but groove to the same beat.

Prices from £1,750.00
print
David Bowie (DB001ALBY)

David Bowie

David Bowie posing in Beckenham Palace Park in September 1969

Prices from £1,095.00
print
David Bowie cover artwork for Aladdin Sane photographed by Brian Duffy in 1973

David Bowie

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.

Prices from £245.83
print
David Bowie (DB001FA)

David Bowie

David Bowie in front of a Diego Rivera mural whilst visiting the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City in October 1997

Prices from £562.50
print
David Bowie (DB001ID)

David Bowie

David Bowie performing as Ziggy Stardust at Newcastle City Hall in January 1973.

Prices from £375.00
print
David Bowie (DB002DUFFY)

David Bowie

Contact sheet taken from the photo shoot for Aladdin Sane

Prices from £245.83
print
David Bowie (DB003MR)

David Bowie

Iconic Mick Rock photograph of David Bowie during the 'Saxophone' Session in London 1973

Prices from £1,100.00
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Terry Pastor print of David Bowie based on the original Hunky Dory cover artwork

David Bowie

Terry Pastor's photograph of David Bowie from the 'Hunky Dory' album cover photo session.

Prices from £500.00
print
David Bowie (MAC011)

David Bowie

David Bowie and photographer Geoff MacCormack backstage on the set of The Man Who Fell to earth.

Prices from £329.17
print
Elton John (EJ003BW)

Elton John

Elton John performing 'Crocodile Rock' onstage at the Edmonton Sundown in London in March 1973

Prices from £1,300.00
print
Elton John (EJ004BW)

Elton John

Elton John on Hampstead Heath, London in the Summer 1970

Prices from £1,300.00
print
Elton John (EJON001ALBY)

Elton John

The Rocketman himself, Elton John, brings it onstage at London's Crystal Palace in July 1971.

Prices from £1,095.00
print
Elton John (EJON002ALBY)

Elton John

Elton John performing onstage at the Crystal Palace Garden Party at Crystal Palace Bowl, London in July 1971

Prices from £1,095.00
print

Featured Prints

Pink Floyd (PF005ANWH)

Pink Floyd

Relaxing backstage at Abbey Road Studios during the recording of debut album 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn'

Prices from £291.67
print
Led Zeppelin (LZ001MPUT)

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin performing at Madison Square Garden, New York, USA 1977.

Prices from £595.00
print
Screen print of Prince created by artist David Studwell

Prince

Limited edition screen print of a mugshot of Prince created by artist David Studwell

Prices from £300.00
print
Amy Winehouse sat on a bench in a North London laundrette in 2004 photograpghed by Jake Chessum

Amy Winehouse

Stunning image of Amy Winehouse taken in a North London launderette during a photo shoot in winter 2004.

Prices from £595.00
print
David Bowie (DB001POST)

David Bowie

Exclusive David Bowie print specially created by The Postman for Rockarchive, based on a photograph taken by Dave Hogan at Live Aid in 1985

Prices from £291.67
print
Red Hot Chili Peppers (CP001MA)

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Contact sheet of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers photographed at Hyde Park, London in 1991

Prices from £295.00
print

Featured Artists

David Bowie

David Bowie

David Bowie was a leading figure in popular music for over five decades & regarded by critics & musicians as a true innovator.

artist
Jeff Beck

Jeff Beck

Jeff Beck is one of rock’s most respected and dynamic instrumentalists. He is widely regarded as a “guitarist’s guitarist”.

artist
Bob Marley (and the Wailers)

Bob Marley (and the Wailers)

Bob Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, musician, & guitarist who achieved international fame & acclaim.

artist
Oasis

Oasis

Oasis was an English rock music band formed in Manchester in 1991, to date the band has sold over 70 million records worldwide.

artist
Queen

Queen

Queen are a British rock band credited with making significant contributions to such genres as hard rock & heavy metal, among others.

artist
Björk

Björk

Björk Guðmundsdóttir, (born 21 November 1965), known mononymously as Björk is an Icelandic singer-songwriter.

artist

Featured Collections

***New Arrivals***

***New Arrivals***

Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.

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Contact Sheets Print Collection

Contact Sheets Print Collection

Our contact sheet print collection is a rare opportunity to look back at the hidden moments surrounding some of rocks most iconic images.

collection
Born In The USA

Born In The USA

The USA has given us many of the world's greatest music artists - we celebrate the best of the best

collection
Graphic Art Print Collection

Graphic Art Print Collection

Browse our collection of popular graphic art prints including iconic images by Storm Thorgerson and stunning work by contemporary artists.

collection
Jake Chessum

Jake Chessum

During his 30 year career Jake Chessum has shot defining images of musicians such as Amy Winehouse, Jay Z, The Beastie Boys & David Bowie.

photographer
Alternative artwork by Storm Thorgerson for Pink Floyd's Division Bell

Album Covers

Album covers can define a band almost as much as the music itself. Now you can put this great art on your wall as well as your turntable

collection