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.
Legendary folk singer-songwriter John Prime performing at the Fleadh, London in June 2004.
Rare photo of Joy Division performing onstage at the YMCA, London in 1979, taken by Jill Furmanovsky
Sergio Pizzorno & Tom Meighan from Kasabian in Chalk Farm, London in August 2004
KD Lang in the corridor of the Le Meridian Hotel, London in March 1992
Led Zeppelin, backstage with manager Peter Grant at Knebworth House, Hertfordshire, England, in August 1979.
Madness captured by Jill Furmanovsky whilst mucking about outside a Chock Full O'Nuts coffee shop in New York in February 1980.
Madness photographed by Jill Furmanovsky at her studio in London in 1984.
This image was used on the cover for Madness's Madstock! album and was shot by Jill Furmanovksy in the Netherlands in August 1992.
Madness going nutty in December 2005 by the iconic helter skelter at the end of Brighton Pier.
Mark Perry, founder of punk fanzine Sniffin' Glue, captured on the toilet in 1977 by Jill Furmanovsky
Morgan Webster from punk band Menace performing at The Roxy, London in 1977
Michael Jackson performing at Wembley, London in 1972 during the Jackson 5 era.
Miles Davis onstage at the Rainbow Theatre, London in July 1973 - “Do not fear mistakes. There are none.” Miles Davis
Jazz legend Miles Davis is one the most revered musicians of all time. Here he is performing at the Rainbow Theatre in July 1973.
New Order relaxing in a hotel room near Kings Cross, London in 1984
Nico beautifully captured playing the piano in Highgate, London in April 1978
Nile Rodgers enjoying the crowd when Chic played the Glastonbury Festival in 2017
Liam downs a pint while Noel watches and waits. That sums up their working relationship!
Oasis were supporting U2 in America. I think this is one of the best live images I've ever taken.
This was taken on the first Oasis American tour. Twin benches on the boardwalk were ideal for this back-to-back portrait of the brothers
Terrible vibes between Noel and Liam produced a wonderful set of pictures. Liam drunk, Noel thoroughly fed up, but the session continued.
George Martin was involved in the making of a TV documentary about Air Studios while Oasis were recording there
Rehearsals at the Music Bank, a regular haunt, would see Liam take pleasure in giving his famous two finger salute to trains speeding past
Taken on the video shoot for one of Noel Gallagher's greatest songs 'Wonderwall' in September 1995. A beam of evening light hits the spot.
"I love to shoot musicians in hotel rooms, bland furniture, bland pictures on the wall - so much part of the lifestyle of a rock musician."
"To wear your woman's white cable knit sweater in front of a crowd of 125,000 takes some guts but Liam wore it with a swagger" Noel said
Taken at a full lighting and sound dress rehearsal. Liam is sitting cross-legged on the floor listening intently to his favourite band
Part of a cover shoot for Q Magazine shot backstage at The Point Dublin in March 1996 before the gig.
This was taken in Schipol Airport while we waited for the luggage. I rounded them up and asked them to sit on the edge of the conveyor belt.
At the time of Wonderwall Oasis not only sounded like The Beatles they looked like them too.
Noel Gallagher of Oasis, with his signature Union Jack guitar taken at NEC in Birmingham in 1996
Nick Cave relaxing in a Brazilian rooftop bar with Saõ Paolo as the backdrop. Taken in February 1994
Tina Turner photographed by Brian Aris at Holborn Studios in London in 1983.
Pete Townshend throws his guitar live whilst The Who perform at Madison Square Gardens in the US, 1979.
Nile Rodgers enjoying the crowd when Chic played the Glastonbury Festival in 2017
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk.
Devo is an American rock band, formed in 1973 their music mingles science fiction themes, surrealist humor & satirical social commentary.
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, artist & writer. He has been influential in popular music & culture for more than five decades.
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.
Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.
Browse our collection of popular graphic art prints including iconic images by Storm Thorgerson and stunning work by contemporary artists.
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
Discover our specially curated collection of limited edition prints from renowned music photographer Gered Mankowitz
