Legendary rock music photographer Mick Rock is often referred to as ‘The Man Who Shot the Seventies’, for his iconic images of Syd Barrett, David Bowie, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Queen, the Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Blondie, Rocky Horror Picture Show, etc. London born, he has resided in New York for the past 35 years. He has shot over 100 album covers.
But in reality never shopped shooting and continues his craft to this day. Recent subjects include Snoop Dogg, Father John Misty, Lenny Kravitz , Janelle Monaie, Jimmy Fallon, The Black Keys, Karen O, Ellie Goulding, Alicia Keys, Michael Buble, Daft Punk, Perry Farrell, Motley Crue, TV On The Radio, Pharrell, Josh Groban, Flaming Lips, Nas, Rufus Wainwright, Kings of Leon, RKelly, The Black Lips , Queens of The Stone Age etc.
Rock was instrumental in creating many key rock ‘n’ roll images, such as album covers for Syd Barrett’s Madcap Laughs, Lou Reed’s Transformer and Coney Island Baby, Iggy and The Stooges’ Raw Power, Queen’s Queen II (recreated for their classic music video ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’) and Sheer Heart Attack, The Ramones End of the Century and Joan Jett’s I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll, among many others. He was the chief photographer on the films The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Shortbus. He recently shot special stills for the new TV version of Rocky Horror, featuring the transgender actress Laverne Cox as Frank n Furter. He also produced and directed the seminal music videos for Bowie: ‘John, I’m Only Dancing’, ‘Jean Genie’, ‘Space Oddity’, and ‘Life On Mars’.
A classic quote from Mick in the London Times, who dubbed him ‘the music world’s top snapper’: “I’ve never felt like a voyeur, although I’ve certainly done plenty of looking! I work from the inside out. Like a cook I gather all the ingredients and keep mixing and stirring and tasting until the kind of effluvia starts to rise, then I’m off to the races. It’s an addictive kind of a feeling that I need a regular shot of otherwise I don’t feel right…”
AUGUST 2016
Iconic Mick Rock photograph of David Bowie during the 'Saxophone' Session in London 1973
Siouxsie Sioux photographed by Mick Rock at his New York Studio in 1980.
Syd Barret photographed by Mick Rock at his flat in Earls Court, London in 1969.
Debbie Harry, Blondie, at a photoshoot by Mick Rcko in New York, 1978 to accompany an interview to promote the release of Parallel Lines
David Bowie wearing a black scarf on a photo shoot by Mick Rock in New York in 2002
David Bowie looking into a mirror at Haddon Hall, Beckenham in March 1972 during an interview for Club International magazine.
Iconic shot of Debbie Harry, Blondie taken by legendary photographer Mick Rock in New York City in 1978
David Bowie and Mick Ronson eating lunch on a train to Aberdeen in 1973 heading to the first gig of David Bowie's final Ziggy Stardust Tour
David Bowie captured by Mick Rock whilst applying make-up in Scotland in 1973
David Bowie, Lou Reed & Iggy Pop during a press conference at the Dorchester Hotel, London in July 1972
David Bowie photographed by Mick Rock at Haddon Hall Beckenham in March 1972,
David Bowie praying by window in Scotland in 1973 taken by legendary music photographer Mick Rock
David Bowie wearing a black jacket photographed by Mick Rock in New York City in 2002
Black & white photo of David Bowie with Saxophone taken in London in 1973 by Mick Rock
Mick Rock photograph of David Bowie taken during the video shoot for 'Life on Mars?'
Iconic Mick Rock photograph of Iggy Pop performing live on stage in London in 1972
Cover artwork photograph taken by Mick Rock for Raw Power, Iggy Pop's iconic third studio album that was released in February 1973
Candid picture of Lou Reed buying a puppy in 1976 taken by Mick Rock
Iconic photo of Lou Reed taken by the legendary photographer Mick Rock in London, 1975.
Classic Mick Rock photograph of Lou Reed that was used as the cover shot for his 1972 album Transformer
Early photograph of Madonna taken in New York, 1980 by legendary music photographer Mick Rock at his studio on Lexington Avenue
Mick Rock cover artwork for the iconic Queen 2 album released in 1974
Iconic shot of Freddie Mercury from Queen, taken by world leading music photographer Mick Rock in London 1974
Freddie Mercury, wrapped in purple sheets, captured by renowned photographer Mick Rock in London, 1974
Michael Stipe from R.E.M. captured by Mick Rock whilst in New York City in 2004.
This photograph of The Ramones by Mick Rock is an outtake from their 'End Of The Century' album photo session in 1979.
Mick Rock photograph of Mick Jagger taken during a Rolling Stones concert in 1975 whilst on tour to promote their album 'Black and Blue'.
Johnny Rotten from the Sex Pistols captured by Mick Rock at the 100 Club, London in 1976.
Taken by Mick Rock during the album cover shoot for Syd Barrett's debut solo album 'The Madcap Laughs'.
Taken in Syd Barrett's flat in Earls Court, London during the photo shoot for his debut album 'The Madcap Laughs'
Syd Barrett 'in decision' captured by Mick Rock in London in 1969 , a year after he left Pink Floyd
Iconic Mick photograph of Syd Barrett posing outside his London flat on a Pontiac Parisienne in 1969
Led Zeppelin performing at Madison Square Garden, New York, USA 1977.
Contact sheet of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers photographed at Hyde Park, London in 1991
Underwater photo of Krist Novoselic in a LA swimming pool whilst on a Nirvana publicty shoot
Limited edition screen print of a mugshot of Prince created by artist David Studwell
David Bowie was a leading figure in popular music for over five decades & regarded by critics & musicians as a true innovator.
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”.
Björk Guðmundsdóttir, (born 21 November 1965), known mononymously as Björk is an Icelandic singer-songwriter.
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.
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
During his 30 year career Jake Chessum has shot defining images of musicians such as Amy Winehouse, Jay Z, The Beastie Boys & David Bowie.
