It was while squatting in London in the ’80s that Martyn Goodacre became interested in photography. He began shooting pictures of street people but it was a Henry Rollins gig that inspired him to shoot his first concert and move into music portraiture. From 1989 through to 2001 he became a regular freelancer for the NME, The Independent on Sunday and Japanese magazines Rockin On and Buzz amongst others. During this time he also played in the band ’Fabulous’ and formed the British punk label ’Kinglake’.
In 1995 Martyn went with former NME Editor and Fabulous manager James Brown to the new Loaded magazine where he was sent around the world with no brief other than to send back photos and words about what he got up to. He covered the musicians who shaped the 1990s with an archive that spans the full breadth of the decade, from guitar rock to dance to hip hop.
In addition to his magazine work, Martyn has been commissioned to shoot record sleeves for Groove Armada, Eric Matthews, Moco and Shane McGowan amongst others. In 2001 his work was published in the book ’Nirvana and Winterlude’. He continues freelancing for Channel 4, NME, Jack, Maxim and Bizarre. His pictures are published worldwide.
"Beck himself was lovely with an air of strangeness and charm. A joy to photograph, he is always looking to make a shot slightly unusual. "
Nirvana photographed outside the Dalmacia Hotel in Shepherd's Bush, London on a cold October morning in 1990.
Kurt Cobain, from Nirvana, photographed in October 1990 outside the Dalmacia Hotel, Shepherd's Bush, London
Early shot of The Fall at Central Station Car Park, Manchester in the summer of 1978
This photo session was for No.1 Magazine (long since extinct) on a Eurythmics press day, they’d been doing interviews all day.
In the studio in Santa Monica, California in 1980, Bob Dylan is captured whilst leaning on his guitar case.
Angus Young, from AC/DC, captured in a small street outside a press meeting in Copenhagen in 1977
Madness are an English band from Camden Town, London & one of the most prominent bands of the late 70s & early 80s 2 Tone ska revival.
The Stranglers are one of the most enduring bands to have come out of the punk scene with an uncompromising attitude and idiosyncratic style
The Ramones' loud, fast, straightforward musical style was influenced by music that the band members grew up listening to in the 50s & 60s.
Critics have called The Smiths the most important alternative rock band to emerge from the British independent music scene of the 1980s.
Our contact sheet collection is a rare opportunity to look back at the hidden moments surrounding some of rocks most iconic images.
The USA has given us many of the world's greatest music artists - we celebrate the best of the best
Check out our great range of authentic fine art photographic prints available for £250 or less.
For eight years photographer Brian Duffy worked with David Bowie and shot his most iconic and enduring images. View his fantastic collection
