Rockarchive founder, Jill Furmanovsky, was born and brought up in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Her parents moved to London in 1965 when Jill was 11 years old and she became a member of the Beatles fan-club and an 'Apple scruff' – one of the teenagers that hung around outside Abbey Road hoping to catch sight of the Fab Four. Her first rock shot was of Paul McCartney standing outside his house with two of her school friends taken on a Kodak Instamatic.
Following a foundation course at Harrow School of Art, Jill studied textile and graphic design at the Central School of Art and Design. After only two weeks training in photography, she had a lucky break when she was offered (and gleefully accepted) the unpaid job of official photographer at London's premier rock venue, The Rainbow Theatre in 1972.
Artists photographed in her 40 year career include many of the biggest names in rock music: Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, Eric Clapton, Blondie, The Police, Led Zeppelin, The Pretenders, Bob Dylan, and Oasis are but a few. She has also directed videos for Oasis and The Pretenders.
Jill continues to shoot in the music industry. Her traffic-stopping image of Florence Welsh graced the streets of Los Angeles in 2012 as part of the exhibit ‘Who Shot Rock & Roll?’ at the Annenberg Space for Photography. She was also featured extensively in the film of the same name in which Noel Gallagher took part on her behalf, to praise their long working relationship.
Jill's book 'The Moment' 25 Years of Rock Photography' (1995) is a seminal work in the genre. Her subsequent book, ‘Oasis - Was There Then ' A Photographic Journey' (1997) followed a ground-breaking exhibition of the same name that toured in the UK and Ireland (Noel Gallagher thought she was a caterer who took good pictures).
Jill has won many awards for her music photography including The Jane Bown Observer Portrait Award (1992) and 'Woman of the Year' for Music and Related Industries (1988). Further accolades followed. In 2012 she was presented with a special award by Record of The Day Magazine.
Amy Winehouse captured in the corridor of the Union Chapel - "She seemed particularly happy that night" - Jill Furmanovsky
Bob Marley sitting on the bed of a rented apartment on Gloucester Road in London in February 1978
The Cure on the road in Holland and Belgium during their 1980 'Seventeen Seconds' tour.
Noel Gallagher performing with Oasis on The Main Stage in 1995 during Glastonbury's 25th Anniversary Festival
Contact sheet from Iggy Pop performing live onstage at the Rainbow Theatre in July 1979
Paul Weller onstage with The Jam at the Rainbow Theatre, London in 1979
Jimmy Page onstage at Led Zeppelin's legendary Earls Court Arena concerts in 1975
Jill Furmanovsky recalls, "This was a typical music press session - probably for Sounds. The journalist and ‘snapper’, me, at a posh hotel.
This shoot of Madness in New York City in February 1980 was for Issue No.1 of a new magazine that developed cult status, The Face.
This was taken during a break in filming the Oasis Wonderwall video.
Johnny Marr had given Noel one of his guitars in the early days when he was broke. Now he was able to buy any guitar that took his fancy
This was the second day of a 2-day press shoot for the release of Be Here Now. It was the day Tony Blair became Prime Minister
Noel & Liam Gallagher from Oasis backstage before performing onstage at Wembley Stadium in July 2000
Taken during the Oasis 'Definitely Maybe' Tour in Detroit, USA in 1995
Contact sheet of Noel & Liam Gallagher larking around during the recording sessions for 'Be Here Now' at Abbey Road Studios in October 1996
Noel Gallagher tuning his guitar on the floor of Studio Two, Abbey Road Studios during the recording sessions for Be Here Now in 1996
Iconic shot of Liam Gallagher onstage during Oasis's debut gig at Slane Castle in July 1995
Liam Gallagher onstage in Cambridge in December 1994 during Oasis's Definitely Maybe Tour
Oasis performing onstage during the first of their legendary Knebworth gigs in 1996.
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"
Contact sheet of Charlie Watts, Rolling Stones drummer, taken at the Halcyon Hotel in London in March 1991
Siouxsie Sioux captured in Sweden in 1982 during Siouxsie & The Banshees Summer Tour
"This image of Bob Dylan and bass player Tony Garnier, snatched at an open air concert in Italy, sums up a beautiful partnership."
Kate Bush first came to note in 1978 when, only 19, she topped the UK Singles Chart for 4 weeks with her debut single, "Wuthering Heights"
Terrible vibes between Noel and Liam produced a wonderful set of pictures. Taken in Paris in November 1995.
Pink Floyd in Abbey Road making a new album that became 'Wish You Were Here'. Jill Furmanovsky was asked to drop in and shoot some stills
At the 1995 Glastonbury Festival Joe Strummer relaxes behind the scenes
Bob Dylan captured with his classic stare whilst performing on The Main Stage at the Glastonbury Festival in 1998
Jarvis Cocker performing one of his signature moves with Pulp on The Park Stage during the 2011 Glastonbury Festival
Jeff Buckley performs at Glastonbury in 1995 as part of his Mystery White Boy Tour
The Pyramid Stage and Glastonbury Tor captured beautifully by Jill Furmanovsky at the 2000 Glastonbury Festival
The Cure on the road in Holland and Belgium during their 1980 'Seventeen Seconds' tour.
Freddie Mercury in the spotlight whilst playing the grand piano in Southampton in May, 1977.
Kate Bush captured in 1993 during the filming for short film 'The Line, The Cross & The Curve'.
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