Jimi Hendrix, London, 1967 by Gered Mankowitz
Few photographers have documented the evolution of popular music as closely—or as beautifully—as Gered Mankowitz. As he celebrates his 80th birthday, we look back at a remarkable career that has helped define the visual history of rock and pop music.
Born in London in 1946, Gered is the son of acclaimed author and screenwriter Wolf Mankowitz and psychotherapist Ann Mankowitz. He left school at just 15 without any formal qualifications before embarking on an intensive apprenticeship at Camera Press, inspired to pursue photography by actor Peter Sellers.
In 1963, Gered opened his first studio in Mason's Yard, Soho, at the epicentre of London's creative revolution. Within a few short years he was photographing many of the artists who would shape modern music. Marianne Faithfull introduced him to Andrew Loog Oldham, manager of The Rolling Stones, leading to a long association with the band. In 1967 he photographed The Jimi Hendrix Experience, creating portraits that would become some of the most recognisable images in rock history.
Throughout a career spanning more than six decades, Gered has never simply photographed musicians—he has documented defining moments in cultural history. His images capture artists at pivotal points in their careers, often before they became global icons, preserving the energy, confidence and creativity that defined entire musical movements.
To celebrate his 80th birthday, we've selected five photographs that demonstrate why Gered Mankowitz remains one of Britain's most important music photographers.
The Rolling Stones, London, 1965 by Gered Mankowitz
At the height of the British Invasion, The Rolling Stones were rapidly establishing themselves as one of the world's most exciting rock bands. This portrait helped define the band's rebellious image during one of the most important periods of their career, capturing the energy and attitude that would make them icons. Gered's photography played a key role in shaping how millions of fans saw The Rolling Stones.
Gered recalls, "This portrait became the most important shot for me from my first session with the Stones, because it was used as the cover for their album called Out Of Our Heads in the UK and December's Children in the USA. I was still only 18 years old and to have my first Stones cover was a turning point in my career. The original negative for this image was lost years ago, probably stolen from my studio where security was lax to say the least, but it was recently returned to me, having been found in an old lock-up in West London.”"
The Yardbirds, London, 1966 by Gered Mankowitz
Few bands can claim to have launched the careers of three of Britain's greatest guitarists. During this brief period, The Yardbirds featured both Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, making this photograph a remarkable record of one of rock's most legendary line-ups. Taken outside Gered's Mason's Yard studio, the image also captures the playful spirit and creative confidence of Swinging London, where chance encounters often became part of the story.
Gered recalls, "This shoot with The Yardbirds was taken just outside my Mason's Yard studio during the short but 'magical' period when the band were graced with both Jeff Beck & Jimmy Page, two of the UK's greatest guitarists. I was lucky enough to see this chap walking down the street wearing a bowler hat and managed to capture the moment as he appeared between Keith's legs!"
Jimi Hendrix, London, 1967 by Gered Mankowitz
Few portraits are as instantly recognisable as Gered's photographs of Jimi Hendrix. Taken during two sessions at Mason's Yard shortly after Hendrix arrived in Britain, these images helped establish the visual identity of one of music's greatest innovators. Hendrix transformed electric guitar playing and became a symbol of the psychedelic era, and Gered's portraits have become inseparable from his enduring legacy.
Gered looks back, "The portraits weren't particularly successful at the time but subsequently, they have become amongst the most iconic images of the great musician ever taken. I have never tried to consciously develop a style and never wanted my work to have a 'look' that people recognised, instead I always hope the heroes of my photographs would be the subjects themselves and that any technique of mine wouldn't get in the way!"
The Jam, London, 1977 by Gered Mankowitz
By 1977, punk had transformed British music, and The Jam emerged as one of the leading voices of a new generation. Combining punk's urgency with the style and attitude of the Mod movement, the band became one of Britain's defining acts. Gered's cover photograph for This Is The Modern World perfectly captures that stripped-back energy, while Paul Weller's improvised tape arrows became one of the album's most memorable visual details.
Gered Mankowitz remembers, "My good friend, the designer Bill Smith, asked me to work with The Jam on their first album, This Is The Modern World. I shot the cover for the album.
I chose the location which is under a motorway flyover in West London. The band were pretty sullen and not particularly forthcoming, but when I asked Paul Weller if he could do something with his rather bland sweater, he grabbed my gaffer tape and made the pair of arrows on his chest – a spontaneous and brilliant touch!"
Kate Bush, London, 1978 by Gered Mankowitz
When Gered first met Kate Bush, she was an unknown teenager preparing to release her debut single, Wuthering Heights. The song would soon make history, making Bush the first female artist to reach No.1 in the UK Singles Chart with a song she had written herself. Gered's early portraits captured the imagination, confidence and originality that would make Kate Bush one of Britain's most influential and enduring artists.
Gered recounts, "The final few weeks of 1978 were very busy for me, with album covers for Bing Crosby, Cliff Richard, Shakin' Stevens and the Rubettes amongst others. So when EMI asked me over to their Manchester Square offices in central London to discuss a new artist, I was actually a bit pushed to find the time. How glad I am that I did manage to free up my schedule, because at that meeting, they played me Wuthering Heights and showed me the video they had produced of a then unknown singer called Kate Bush performing the song. Kate was not at this initial meeting, but from listening to the playback of the song and watching the video, I realised that she was an extraordinary artist and potentially a wonderful subject."
From Swinging London to punk, psychedelia to progressive pop, Gered Mankowitz has photographed many of the artists who transformed popular music. His images have become more than portraits—they are part of music history itself, preserving moments. Explore our curated collection of his limited edition prints here.
