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, London in 2006 - "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
All four members of Chic cannot help but groove to the same beat. Taken by Jill Furmanovsky at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1979.
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
Paul Weller onstage with The Jam at the Rainbow Theatre, London in 1979
Joy Division backstage before a gig at the YMCA London (supported by Monochrome Set) in August 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
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 and Liam Gallagher photographed in Nice, France whilst recording Oasis's fourth album 'Standing on the Shoulder of Giants'
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"
Paul Weller photographed for The Face magazine (April 1983 - Issue 36), not long after he formed The Style Council with Mick Talbot.
Montage punk print created by photographs taken by music photographer Jill Furmanovsky
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
Jools Holland fronting the line-up in this Squeeze shot taken in London in 1978. The same year as they released their debut album.
"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"
Morrissey captured by Jill Furmanovsky at her London studio in December 1983, during the early days of The Smiths
Terrible vibes between Noel and Liam produced a wonderful set of pictures. Taken in Paris in November 1995.
Noel Gallagher tuning his guitar on the floor of Studio Two, Abbey Road Studios during the recording sessions for Be Here Now in 1996
Nile Rodgers enjoying the crowd when Chic played the Glastonbury Festival in 2017
Colour image of Pink Floyd performing during their British Winter tour in 1974
Cat was renowned for his playing in the extreme high register. He claimed that he developed his screaming high notes to impress the girls.
Limited edition screen print of Amy Winehouse by artist David Studwell.
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band who were in the vanguard of the British music Invasion that became popular in the US in 1964–65.
Devo is an American rock band, formed in 1973 their music mingles science fiction themes, surrealist humor & satirical social commentary.
Noel Gallagher is regarded as one of the UK’s most respected musicians and the mastermind behind Britpop super group Oasis.
Florence and the Machine's style is described as 'dark, robust & romantic', a mix of "classic soul & midnight-on-the-moors English art rock.
Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.
Discover our specially curated collection of limited edition prints from renowned music photographer Gered Mankowitz
Jill Furmanovsky is one of the greatest ever rock & roll photographers with a huge archive of iconic shots of the world's best music artists
Our contact sheet print collection is a rare opportunity to look back at the hidden moments surrounding some of rocks most iconic images.
