Michael Putland is an English music photographer who "never had a day off in the ‘70s". He has photographed thousands of artists, literally from Abba to Zappa. Born in 1947 at Harrow-on-the-Hill near London. Encouraged by his uncle, he began shooting at age nine, and upon leaving school at sixteen he started work at a London studio where he assisted in advertising, fashion and architectural photography.
Michael was privileged to work with Louis Klementaski, the Legendary motor racing photographer, during this period. After briefly assisting Time/Life photographer Walter Curtain, he decided to go out on his own, sharing a studio with two friends and eventually securing work with the music magazine 'Disco & Music Echo'.
His first assignment was Mick Jagger. He went on to photograph John Lennon and Elton John, among others, before moving to 'Sounds' magazine and contributing photographs of the biggest names in music. He began to travel extensively and worked for most of the major record companies, especially CBS, Warner, Elektra, Atlantic, Polydor, RCA and EMI. Michael relocated to New York in 1977, where he continued his record company and editorial assignments, shooting artists as diverse as Billy Joel, The Clash and The Bee Gees.
Whilst in New York he founded the photo agency Retna and after returning to London in the early eighties, he opened the London branch and continued to shoot mainly musicians, including Madonna and George Michael. Although his current work is still predominantly portraiture, his sitters are likely to be classical, jazz or world musicians and lifestyle subjects.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono In the White Room in Ascot, 1971 where the classic video clip for ‘Imagine’ was shot
Eric Clapton during a sound check for his USA Tour in Philadelphia, 1974
Syd Barrett with Pink Floyd at the International ‘Love In’ Festival at Alexandra Palace in Summer 1967
Angus Young from rock band AC/DC onstage during their 'Back in Black' UK Tour in 1980.
Siouxsie Sioux, from Siouxsie & The Banshees, relaxing in London in 1980
Bob Marley, Mick Jagger and Peter Tosh. Backstage after the Rolling Stones concert at the Palladium Theatre, New York 1978
David Bowie performing live at Earls Court, London on May 14th, 1973
David Bowie at his home Haddon Hall, Beckenham, Kent, UK, 1972
Led Zeppelin performing at Madison Square Garden, New York, USA 1977.
Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin performing at Earls Court, London 1975
Marc Bolan of English glam rock group T-Rex, holding Mike Putland's Nikon camera on the tour bus during a four-date British tour, June 1972
Prince performs at a small London club (after his show at Wembley Arena), London 1986
Queen rehearsing for their first major tour at North End Road, Fulham, London in July 1973
Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones performing ‘Jumping Jack Flash’ with water & rose petals during their European Tour, Berlin 1973
Mick Jagger with the Rolling Stones performing in Glasgow, 1973
Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones performing in Philadelphia, USA 1981 “you all right at the back?”
Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood (hidden), video shoot, New York, USA 1978
Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, tour bus, Scotland 1982
Led Zeppelin performing at Madison Square Garden, New York, USA 1977.
Limited edition screen print of a mugshot of Prince created by artist David Studwell
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"
Exclusive David Bowie print specially created by The Postman for Rockarchive, based on a photograph taken by Dave Hogan at Live Aid in 1985
Oasis was an English rock music band formed in Manchester in 1991, to date the band has sold over 70 million records worldwide.
Bob Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, musician, & guitarist who achieved international fame & acclaim.
Queen are a British rock band credited with making significant contributions to such genres as hard rock & heavy metal, among others.
Jeff Beck is one of rock’s most respected and dynamic instrumentalists. He is widely regarded as a “guitarist’s guitarist”.
Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.
Our contact sheet print 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
Album covers can define a band almost as much as the music itself. Now you can put this great art on your wall as well as your turntable