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When it comes to capturing iconic moments of music history, not many can stand toe-to-toe with Mick Rock.
The late and great rock photographer’s posthumously released book, SHOT! by Rock, is a veritable ‘Who’s Who’ of industry legends, from David Bowie and Queen in the 1970s to modern icons Lady Gaga and Janelle Monae.
Known as ‘the man who shot the Seventies’, Rock’s life’s work showcases his signature, off-the-wall style – alongside amusing behind-the-scenes tales of his escapades with the likes of Mick Jagger and Snoop Dogg.
Released on what would have been his 74th birthday, the snapper’s wife Pati Rock said it best: ‘Mick’s eye was always rock n’ roll, not to mention his heart… here are only some of his legendary photographs.’
Mick Rock, who passed away aged 72 in 2021, has posthumously released a life’s work of photo shoots with the stars
Rock’s lifetime of work is embodied in the unique photo album, capturing everything from his role in the early formation of ‘Ziggy Stardust’ to photoshoots with Miley Cyrus and Snoop Dogg
The legendary photographer shot to mythical status in the music world after he became David Bowie’s official photographer in the early 70s, where he took some of the most memorable early shots of the pop-rocker as his alter-ego Ziggy Stardust.
No ordinary shutter-bug, there was clearly a lot more to Mick Rock’s relationships with his high-profile models than photoshoots and small talk.
Speaking about his experience in a session with Snoop Dogg in Los Angeles in 2009, Mick said: ‘I flew halfway around the world to shoot Snoop, and I still had to snoop around for him.
‘Great session when we got there – he was channeling Bob Marley and Hendrix. Crazy!’
The photographer’s fingerprints are on many iconic industry hallmarks – including early promotions for Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust and the famous Queen II album cover.
Speaking of his role in making the Queen album shot, Rock said: ‘In February 1974, I shot the album cover Queen II. I felt it needed to have a certain grand quality.
‘I’d come across a photo of Marlene Dietrich on the set of 1932’s Shanghai Express, and she was under a top light, with hood eyes, arms crossed, fingers spread. I showed Freddie the image, and he loved it, so that was it.’
Madonna was snapped in this raunchy look by Mick Rock during a visit to Bleeker Bob’s in NYC, 1980
Speaking about his experience in a session with Snoop Dogg in Los Angeles in 2009, Mick said: ‘I flew halfway around the world to shoot Snoop, and I still had to snoop around for him. Great session when we got there – he was channeling Bob Marley and Hendrix. Crazy!’
Rock shot the iconic Queen II album cover in 1974, as he said he believed ‘it needed to have a certain grand quality’. Speaking of his role in making the Queen album shot, Rock said: ‘In February 1974, I shot the album cover Queen II. I felt it needed to have a certain grand quality. ‘I’d come across a photo of Marlene Dietrich on the set of 1932’s Shanghai Express, and she was under a top light, with hood eyes, arms crossed, fingers spread. I showed Freddie the image, and he loved it, so that was it.
Rock shot to mythical status in the music industry when he became the official photographer of David Bowie as the artist launched his alter-ego, Ziggy Stardust
Rock took this iconic snap of Syd Barrett way back in 1969, as he said the rocker ‘swapped his Mini for this massive American Pontiac car. He couldn’t drive it, but he rocked it’
Never afraid of testing the limits, this shot of Lou Reed on the phone was what Rock labelled an ‘exploding plastic inevitable jacket’
As a friend as well as a professional ally to the stars, Mick Rock was able to capture numerous snaps that other photographers simply couldn’t – such as this of Iggy Pop and David Bowie hanging out backstage
While he is best known as ‘the man who shot the Seventies’, Mick Rock has enjoyed photoshoots with the most famous stars from every generation, including Miley Cyrus and Janelle Monae
While he is best known as ‘the man who shot the Seventies,’ Mick Rock has taken photographs of the most famous stars from every generation, including Miley Cyrus
Rock’s close relationships with his high-profile led to snaps that most music photographers could only dream of, including this of Lady Gaga and Bono enjoying a night out in 2009 at The Spotted Pig in NYC
Source: DailyMail UK
