Francine Winham was born in London in the late 1930s, the middle child of a self-made property tycoon. When war broke out in 1939, her father arranged for the family to be evacuated to the relative safety of Colorado in the United States, a move that began for her a lifelong transatlantic relationship. In the late forties, the family returned to London and Winham was sent to the Mitford-Colmer Seminary for Young Ladies in Belgravia.
Every weekend, unbeknown to her parents, she would host parties at the family's Mayfair home for members of London's soon-to-be smart set. Friends such as the young Michael Caine and Terence Stamp (who were then sharing a flat around the corner) would come and socialize, drinking and dancing to the latest jazz sounds.
It was around this time that she met music impresario Chris Blackwell. Blackwell offered her a job as his PA, and so she became the first employee of Blackwell's legendary Island Records.
Bitten by the photography bug and eager to rekindle her American roots, Winham moved to New York in 1963 to study and began shooting the stars she had long admired, selling the results to magazines such as Downbeat and the Village Voice. “Jazz clubs were perfect for me. I liked to get close, really close, and see the expression on a performer's face. That's what really interests me, the intimacy.”
It was during this time that Winham developed what she called her “fever” technique. By holding the shot still for half a second and then moving the camera, she created a blurred free-form image that mirrored the dynamic improvisation of the performer (a technique later imitated on jazz record covers and in magazines).
Cat was renowned for his playing in the extreme high register. He claimed that he developed his screaming high notes to impress the girls.
Trumpeter Cootie Williams performing in Newport, Rhode Island in 1965
Dizzy Gillespie performing in Newport, Rhode Island in 1966
Ella Fitzgerald performing in Newport, Rhode Island in 1965
Horace Silver performing at the Newport Jazz Festival, Rhode Island in July 1966
Hugh Masekela performing at the Village Gate in New York in 1966
John Coltrane performing for the last time at the Newport Jazz Festival, Rhode Island in July 1966
Miles Davis performing at the Newport Jazz Festival, Rhode Island in July 1966
Relaxing backstage at Abbey Road Studios during the recording of debut album 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn'
Noel recalls "Maine Road was where we all used to go as kids. So I was standing there, trying to make sure I never forgot this moment"
Exclusive David Bowie print specially created by The Postman for Rockarchive, based on a photograph taken by Dave Hogan at Live Aid in 1985
Led Zeppelin performing at Madison Square Garden, New York, USA 1977.
Jeff Beck is one of rock’s most respected and dynamic instrumentalists. He is widely regarded as a “guitarist’s guitarist”.
Oasis was an English rock music band formed in Manchester in 1991, to date the band has sold over 70 million records worldwide.
Queen are a British rock band credited with making significant contributions to such genres as hard rock & heavy metal, among others.
David Bowie was a leading figure in popular music for over five decades & regarded by critics & musicians as a true innovator.
Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.
During his 30 year career Jake Chessum has shot defining images of musicians such as Amy Winehouse, Jay Z, The Beastie Boys & David Bowie.
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
Our contact sheet print collection is a rare opportunity to look back at the hidden moments surrounding some of rocks most iconic images.