Gered Mankowitz was born in London, England in 1946. After an education in various ’progressive’ schools, Gered left school at fifteen, without any formal qualifications. However, having displayed a natural eye for photography whilst on a school trip to Holland, his photographs were seen by the legendary photographer, Tom Blau, who offered Gered an apprenticeship at his famous photo-agency, Camera Press. Mankowitz progressed to the studio of Jeff Vickers, the London-based showbiz portraitist, via an indirect route which ranged from the vistas of Barbados to the fashion shows of Paris. At the Vickers studio he began to take pictures of musicians and artists who, being of a similar age, felt a great ease and sense of connection with him.
At the end of 1963 Gered started his first studio, at 9 Masons Yard in the west end of London. After photographing Marianne Faithful, Gered became acquainted with Andrew Loog Oldham, also the manager/producer for the Rolling Stones. This was a turning point for Gered which resulted in his going to America on the famous 1965 Stones tour and documenting the performance and antics, on and off stage.
His work to date has included many of the most famous names in the contemporary music world – Jimi Hendrix to the Eurythmics, Kate Bush to the Buena Vista Social Club.
Gered's book, The Stones 65-67 82 was published in 2002 and an accompanying exhibition toured Europe in 2004. That year he also published a book of his Hendrix images. In 2006 a two-volume set of nearly 1000 photo's from his Stones' archive was published to great acclaim.
The Eurythmics captured during a photo shoot in Paris, 1986 for the cover art for their album 'Revenge'
Captivating shot of Kate Bush known as 'Drama' taken in 1978 by Gered Mankowitz at the height of her career
Keith Richards with his acoustic Gibson Hummingbird guitar taken at RCA Studios in Hollywood in 1965.
The Rolling Stones 'caged' in Osmond Yard, London during a photo shoot by Gered Mankowitz in 1965
Mick Jagger pictured with his beloved Aston Martin outside his London flat in 1965
The Rolling Stones captured outside Gered Mankowitz's London studio in 1965
Cover artwork for The Rolling Stones album Out Of Our Heads taken by Gered Mankowitz in Ormond Yard, London in 1965.
Elton John photographed by Gered Mankowitz for the cover of his 1977 album 'Greatest Hits Volume II'
Outake photograph from Gered Mankowitz's famous Rolling Stones shoot for Between The Buttons taken on Primrose Hill, London.
Taken during the cover photo shoot for The Jam's second studio album This Is The Modern World
Jimi Hendrix silkscreen print called 'Purple and Gold which was used as the cover for Jimi's album 'The Ultimate Experience' in 1992.
Iconic Purple Haze portrait of Jimi Hendrix by Gered Mankowitz
Alternative version of Gered Mankowitz's famous Jimi Hendrix photograph taken at his Mason's Yard Studio, London in 1967
Alternative version of Gered Mankowitz's classic shot of Jimi Hendrix smoking taken at his Mason's Yard Studio in London, 1967.
Classic colourised version of Gered Mankowitz's iconic shot of Jimi Hendrix taken in 1967.
Keith Richards pictured beside his new Bentley at his home in Sussex in 1966
Led Zeppelin photographed during a filmed performance for Supershow, a multi-act music documentary produced in 1969
Led Zeppelin performing as part of the music documentary Supershow shot in March 1969
Keith Richards captured backstage during the Rolling Stones US Tour in 1965
Limited edition screen print of a mugshot of Prince created by artist David Studwell
Contact sheet of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers photographed at Hyde Park, London in 1991
Led Zeppelin performing at Madison Square Garden, New York, USA 1977.
Relaxing backstage at Abbey Road Studios during the recording of debut album 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn'
David Bowie was a leading figure in popular music for over five decades & regarded by critics & musicians as a true innovator.
Oasis was an English rock music band formed in Manchester in 1991, to date the band has sold over 70 million records worldwide.
Jeff Beck is one of rock’s most respected and dynamic instrumentalists. He is widely regarded as a “guitarist’s guitarist”.
Björk Guðmundsdóttir, (born 21 November 1965), known mononymously as Björk is an Icelandic singer-songwriter.
Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.
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
During his 30 year career Jake Chessum has shot defining images of musicians such as Amy Winehouse, Jay Z, The Beastie Boys & David Bowie.
Our contact sheet print collection is a rare opportunity to look back at the hidden moments surrounding some of rocks most iconic images.