Fernando Aceves first saw the light of day in Mexico City in 1965. For the last twelve years he has dedicated his self-taught photographic talents to documenting Mexican and international all contemporary musical genres, although his personal preferences lean toward the rock scene.
Aceves has worked mainly for concert promoters, record companies, Mexican and foreign publications and the artists themselves, such as Paul McCartney (1993), Pink Floyd (1994), David Bowie (1997) and the Rolling Stones, among many others. In 2000 The Museum of Modern Art of Mexico City presented his highly influential exhibition, The Rolling Stones, - the first time music photography had been given status in Mexico.
Fernando has published two books, Ilusiones y destellos: retratos del rock mexicano (Editorial Plaza y Janés), a unique collection of 129 portraits of the rock musicians who have shaped the Mexican rock music scene over the last forty years, and ’50 Jazzistas Mexicanos’ his book on Mexican Jazz Musicians which came out in 2001.
Aceves is the only Mexican photographer who systematically focuses on music full-time. He works with 35mm and does not add special lighting to any given situation. One of the world’s best ’live’ photographers, Fernando has photographed hundreds of concerts in the United States, Canada, Great Britain and is the official photographer of the National Auditorium in Mexico City.
“You need to capture the musician's essence, find its human side, bring him down to Earth. Turn an idol into someone "normal" but without taking them from their environment”.
Keith Richards and Mick Jagger performing onstage with The Rollihg Stones at Foro Sol, Mexico City in February 1998
The Rolling Stones shooting the video for 'I Go Wild' in Mexico City in January 1995
in 1997 prior to his first ever gig in Mexico City David Bowie explores the local cultural sites including the 'Pyramids of Teotihuacan'
David Bowie in front of a Diego Rivera mural whilst visiting the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City in October 1997
David Bowie photographed with a mask at Frida Kahlo's house and museum in Mexico City in October 1997
Taken at Freida Kahlo’s Museum known as the ‘Blue House’, in Mexico City a few days before David Bowie's first ever concert in Mexico, 1997
David Bowie onstage at his first and only ever concert in Mexico in July 1997
Angus Young, from AC/DC, captured in a small street outside a press meeting in Copenhagen in 1977
David Bowie wearing a two piece quilted suit designed by Freddie Burretti for the 1972 Ziggy Stardust tour.
Rod Stewart standing next to his concert tour plane in Los Angeles, December 1977. Rod recalls, "The tour got off to a terrible start."
Album cover for Mars Volta's 'Frances the Mute' created in Bedfordshire, UK in 2004 by Storm Thorgerson
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group are one of the world's best-selling music artists of all time.
Björk Guðmundsdóttir, (born 21 November 1965), known mononymously as Björk is an Icelandic singer-songwriter.
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.
Pink Floyd are currently getting set for the 'Their Mortal Remains' exhibition at the V&A - Check out our range of images for sale.
Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.
Welcome to our Jazz & Blues Print Collection - over 50 years of iconic images of the world's greatest Jazz & Blues musicians
Edition 100 was created to give fans & collectors a chance to own classic, historical pictures of their favorite bands.
Welcome to our Folk & Country Print Collection - iconic images of the world's greatest artists from the past 50 years
