BORN AND RAISED IN POST WAR LONDON
Mick Rock's formidable intelligence led him to Cambridge University and a degree in Modern Languages. His introduction to photography - via a friend’s camera and a beautiful girl - developed into a curiosity that persisted. After a period of dabbling, Mick found himself doing a stint at the London Film School. During this time, he did some work with photo-design legends Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey Powell at Hipgnosis.
Mick went on to photograph the most illustrious artists and musicians of the time though he is perhaps best know for his work with David Bowie: encouraging and documenting the Ziggy Stardust persona as it took shape; producing and directing the music videos for “Space Oddity,” “John, I’m Only Dreaming,” and “Jean Genie”; shooting images so well known we might them for granted - Bowie back stage, Bowie on stage and Bowie in the company of his collaborators and contemporaries. Throughout his legendary career, it was Mick’s unique rapport with his subjects which allowed him to capture his subjects in images both iconic and uniquely intimate. He caught the quiet genius of Syd Barrett, the beginnings of stardom for Queen, the rawness of Iggy Pop, and the musical transformation of Lou Reed.
NEW YORK
It was an invite from Lou Reed in 1974 that took Mick to the place he would make his home: New York City. He rented a studio on Madison Avenue and began photographing his edgy, punky NY subjects with hot backgrounds, one flash, and a lushness not normally associated with rock ‘n’ roll. His camera brought us iconic images of Debbie Harry, Carly Simon, the Ramones, Talking Heads, Joan Jett, Motley Crue, the Pointer Sisters, Dead Boys, Bette Midler, and so many more.
Mick never stopped shooting and demand for his raw and energetic style never waned. John Cameron Mitchell, Lenny Kravitz, Michael Stipe, Kate Moss, Sir Tom Stoppard, Snoop Dog, Miley Cyrus, and Norman Reedus. Ultimately, Mick shot over 100 album covers and published 20 books of his work. His photographs have graced covers of magazines and publications from all over the world.
IN 2016
Mick hosted an acclaimed Ovation Cable TV series , “On The Record With Mick Rock.” A documentary about his career, produced by Vice Films and Straight Up Films, called ‘SHOT!’, was launched at the Tribeca Film Festival in April that year.
MAJOR EXHIBITIONS
of his work have been held across the world, in Tokyo, Toronto, London, Liverpool, Berlin, Manchester, Mexico, Oslo, Gothenburg, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, São Paulo, San Francisco, Las Vegas, EMP Museum Seattle, Buenos Aires, Barcelona, Los Angeles, New York and Toulouse. He is in the permanent collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and New York’s Brooklyn Museum.
IN 2022
Mick was honoured with a Blue Plaque at the Scala concert hall, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the two infamous headline nights in July 1972 by Lou Reed and Iggy Pop, and of the Transformer and Raw Power album photos.
COLLABORATIONS
Mick Rock's collaborations with other visual artists have been pivotal in merging photography with other forms of visual expression. He frequently worked alongside painters, graphic designers, and multimedia artists to create album covers, concert posters, and promotional materials that pushed the boundaries of traditional rock photography.
From his beginnings at notable design group Hipgnosis, crafting some of the most iconic album covers of the seventies and eighties, to his work with with Andy Warhol during the late sixties, combining Warhol’s pop art aesthetics with his own gritty, real-life images of the punk rock scene, Mick Rock's collaborations demonstrated his versatility and willingness to innovate within his craft. His work with Warhol resulted in many iconic images that were both commercially successful and critically acclaimed, further cementing Rock's legacy as a photographer who could seamlessly integrate different visual styles.
More recent collaborations include his work with street artist Fin DAC; fashion label Pretty Green; contemporary artist Shepard Fairey; and of course our very own album cover icons.
Prints from his work with airbrush artist Terry Pastor, the man behind the Hunky Dory and Ziggy Stardust covers, and renowned artist and illustrator Ioannis are available to view and purchase from Hypergallery.
View Mick Rock Prints available at Hypergallery
THE END OF AN ERA
Mick Rock is no longer behind the camera, and that is our loss, but the magic and power of his photographs will live on.
