Tony Mottram has been working in the music industry since the Eighties, with over 35 years experience as a professional photographer his images of bands and musicians were a regular feature of the British music press throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, as well as being much in demand by many major UK record companies during the same period. The list of bands and artists that have appeared before his lens is immense, from AC/DC to ZZ Top.
Fresh out of college, Tony began his career at the Melody Maker under the wing of Jill Furmanovsky, before becoming a staff photographer at Sounds where he worked until late ’80s, before going fully freelance and starting his own studio.
As well as Sounds and Melody Maker, Tony has also been a regular and contributing photography for Pop Star Weekly, Kerrang, Noise, Punk Lives, No 1, Metal Hammer, Raw, Cyberia, Country Music International, Blues In Britain and Blueprint. His work has also appeared in nearly every major UK publication most notably TV Times, Elle, The Sunday Times and Vogue.
Taken during a break from travelling in the band's tour bus on its way to Bristol
Prince performing at his first ever UK gig at the Lyceum, London in 1981
Johnny Cash at home on his ranch in San Antonio, Texas in 1960, he always wore black, because he identified with the poor & the down trodden
Bono from U2 performing live on their Joshua Tree Tour in Rotterdam, Holland in July 1987
Unique contact sheet print of AC/CD's, Angus Young by photographer David Corio, taken at Hammersmith Odeon, London, November 1st, 1979
As a self-taught composer and performer, Zappa's diverse musical influences led him to create music that was often difficult to categorize.
Sir Elton John is an English pianist, singer-songwriter, composer & pop icon who has sold millions of records and won countless awards.
The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960 and widely regarded as the most influential acts of the rock era.
Johnny Cash was known for his deep, calm bass-baritone voice and a trademark look, which earned him the nickname "The Man in Black"
A photographic celebration of Manchester's rock music history. Free exhibition at the University of Manchester
A fantastic curated collection of museum quality fine art prints by leading music photographer Barry Schultz
For eight years photographer Brian Duffy worked with David Bowie and shot his most iconic and enduring images. View his fantastic collection
The USA has given us many of the world's greatest music artists - we celebrate the best of the best
