Punk rock (or simply punk) is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as proto-punk music, punk rock bands rejected perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock. Punk bands typically use short or fast-paced songs, with hard-edged melodies and singing styles, stripped-down instrumentation, and often political, anti-establishment lyrics. Punk embraces a DIY ethic; many bands self-produced recordings and distributed them through informal channels.
The term "punk" was first used in relation to rock music by some American critics in the early 1970s, to describe garage bands and their devotees. By late 1976, bands such as Television and the Ramones in New York City, and the Sex Pistols, the Clash, and the Damned in London were recognized as the vanguard of a new musical movement. The following year saw punk rock spreading around the world, and it became a major cultural phenomenon in the United Kingdom. For the most part, punk took root in local scenes that tended to reject association with the mainstream and a variety of anti-authoritarian ideologies.
By the beginning of the 1980s, faster, more aggressive styles such as hardcore (e.g. Black Flag) and street punk (e.g. the Exploited) had become the predominant mode of punk rock. Musicians identifying with or inspired by punk also pursued a broad range of other variations, giving rise to post-punk and the alternative rock movement. At the end of the 20th century, punk rock had been adopted by the mainstream, as pop punk and punk rock bands such as Green Day, the Offspring and Blink-182 brought the genre widespread popularity.
Billy Idol is an English musician, singer, songwriter & actor. He achieved fame in the 1970s as a member of the punk rock band Generation X.
Blondie is a American rock band founded by Debbie Harry & Chris Stein that pioneered the New York new wave & punk scenes of the 1970s.
Buzzcocks are an English punk rock band, formed in 1976 by singer-songwriter-guitarist Pete Shelley and singer-songwriter Howard Devoto.
Chrissie Hynde has one of the most distinctive voices in rock music and is best known as the founder of The Pretenders
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk.
The Cortinas were a pioneering punk band from Bristol successful in the late 1970s. Their guitarist Nick Sheppard went on to join The Clash.
The Cramps were an American punk band, formed in 1976 and active until 2009. The band split after the death of lead singer Lux Interior.
Sir Elton John is an English pianist, singer-songwriter, composer & pop icon who has sold millions of records and won countless awards.
Elvis Costello is an English musician, singer-songwriter & record producer, his career began in London's pub rock scene during the 1970s.
Of all the bands formed during the '70s punk revolution, The Fall, led by frontman Mark E. Smith were the most longer-lived & innovative
Celebrate the world's greastest music festival with our exclusive collection of stunning Glastonbury photos taken across the years
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1986 by vocalist/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist Mike Dirnt.
Iggy Pop is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actor. He was the vocalist of influential proto-punk band The Stooges.
The Jam were an English punk rock/mod revival band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. They were formed in Woking, Surrey.
John Lydon is an English singer, songwriter & musician. He is best known as the lead singer of the late 1970's punk band The Sex Pistols.
Joy Division (originally named Warsaw), an English rock band formed in 1976 were one of the pioneers of the post-punk movement.
Lou Reed was one of music's most influential icons. His music defied all definitions of genre & left a legacy that has inspired generations
Manchester is inextricably linked to its musical heritage. A city whose music is deeply rooted in its fabric
Mark E Smith was the distictive and uncompromising frontman of the British post-punk band The Fall, regarded by many as a cult icon
The Offspring are an American punk rock band from California & are considered one of the best-selling punk rock bands of all time.
Patti Smith is an American singer-songwriter, poet & visual artist. Called the "punk poet laureate", Smith fused rock & poetry in her work.
Paul Weller is an English singer, songwriter and musician. Weller achieved fame with the punk rock/new wave/mod revival band The Jam.
The Police were one of the definitive rock groups of the 1970s and 1980s playing a unique New Wave style influenced by reggae, jazz and punk
The Pretenders, led by lead vocalist Chrissie Hynde, crossed the bridge between punk and pop with their melodic yet hard, spiky songs
The Ramones' loud, fast, straightforward musical style was influenced by music that the band members grew up listening to in the 50s & 60s.
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band formed in 1975. Without them popular culture in the last 30+ years would be very different.
Siouxsie and the Banshees were an English 70's punk band formed in London & became an important influence on the emerging gothic rock scene.
The Slits were a British rock band, their 1979 debut album, Cut, has been called one of the defining releases of the post-punk era.
Seattle band Soundgarden are regarded as one of the pioneers of grunge who helped popularise the genre in the 1990s.
Iconic Purple Haze portrait of Jimi Hendrix by Gered Mankowitz
Frank Sinatra walking over a London bridge in 1967 during a break from his filming of 'The Naked Runner'
The Clash on stage at the the first large scale Rock Against Racism/Anti Nazi League carnival at Victoria Park, April 1978.
Limited edition of Morgan Howell's original painting of the cover of The Beatles' 'Yesterday' vinyl single
Noel Gallagher is regarded as one of the UK’s most respected musicians and the mastermind behind Britpop super group Oasis.
A unique collection of images of Pink Floyd, one of the worlds most successful and influential rock bands.
Referred to as rock music's 'Prince of Darkness', Nick Cave's music is characterised by emotional intensity & a wide variety of influences.
Paul Weller is an English singer, songwriter and musician. Weller achieved fame with the punk rock/new wave/mod revival band The Jam.
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
Our contact sheet collection is a rare opportunity to look back at the hidden moments surrounding some of rocks most iconic images.
Barrie Wentzell is one of music's most respected photographers his portfolio includes many rock'n'roll greats. Here is our great collection
This print collection by Jill Furmanovsky contains images of Oasis on-the-road, onstage and recording in the studio during their zenith.