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.
Bristol punk band The Cortinas messing about in London in 1977 after the release of their debit album 'Fascist Dictator'
Poison Ivy and Lux Interior from The Cramps photographed by Jill Furmanovsky in 1981
The Cramps captured by Jill Furmanovsky in New York in February 1980.
Cream rehearsing in Bray in 2005 before their reunion concerts at the Royal Albert Hall
David Gilmour at the rehearsal for his Brighton performance on the Rattle that Lock Tour in September 2015
David Gilmour at the rehearsal for his Brighton performance on the Rattle that Lock Tour in September 2015.
Devo were much appreciated by a British audience who did their best to dress like the band at gigs. This was taken in London, 1979.
Devo relaxing in deckchairs in Hyde Park in 1980 before their gig at the Rainbow Theatre, Finsbury Park that evening.
Duke Ellington performing at the Rainbow Theatre, London in 1973
Elvis Costello backstage at the Royal Albert Hall, London in 1999 for a benefit concert to commemorate the life and work of Linda McCartney
Eric Clapton performing at the Royal Albert Hall, London in February 1992
Eric Clapton performing at the Rainbow Theatre, London in January 1973
Portrait taken in manager's office near Regent's Park, London, for Q Magazine.
Rod Stewart from The Faces performing at the Sundown Ballroom, London in June 1973
Florence Welch from Florence and the Machine rehearsing at the John Henry Studios, London in October 2007
George Michael performing at an event in memory of Linda McCartney in 1999.
George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley from Wham! taken in 1982
Pharell Williams in 2015 on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival
The Pyramid Stage and Glastonbury Tor captured beautifully by Jill Furmanovsky at the 2000 Glastonbury Festival
The tipis at Glastonbury captured at dawn during the 2010 festival
Jill Furmanovsky photograph of glowing dance tent at the Glastonbury Festival in 2017
Beyoncé headlines the Glastonbury Festival on the Pyramid Stage in 2011.
Billie Eilish performing on The Other Stage at the 2019 Glastonbury Festival
George Erza plays the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival, just a year after he made his debut on the John Peel Stage
Stormzy lights up the Pyramid stage at the 2019 Festival wearing a Banksy designed Union Jack vest
Thom Yorke and Radiohead playing a surprise performance on the Glastonbury Festival Park Stage in 2010
The White Stripes give an electric performance on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival in June 2002
Grace Jones photographed by Jill Furmanovsky at the Hilton Hotel, London in 1980 for the Face Magazine.
Iggy Pop performing onstage at the Music Machine, Camden in July 1978
Paul Weller with The Jam onstage for a soundcheck at the Rainbow Theatre, London in December 1978
James Brown in May 1985 captured during documentary filming in London, prior to performing at Hammersmith Odeon
Jeff Beck performing onstage at The Roundhouse, London in March 1972
Tina Turner photographed by Brian Aris at Holborn Studios in London in 1983.
Colour image of Pink Floyd performing during their British Winter tour in 1974
Nick Cave relaxing in a Brazilian rooftop bar with Saõ Paolo as the backdrop. Taken in February 1994
Pete Townshend throws his guitar live whilst The Who perform at Madison Square Gardens in the US, 1979.
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Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.
Stunning collection of limited edition prints of David Bowie created by award-winning photographer Markus Klinko.
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
Browse our collection of popular graphic art prints including iconic images by Storm Thorgerson and stunning work by contemporary artists.
