Mick Rock’s behind-the-scenes photos of music icons from David Bowie to Lady Gaga
When it comes to capturing iconic moments in music history, not many can go head to head with Mick Rock.
The late great rock photographer’s posthumously published book, SHOOTING! by rockis a veritable ‘Who’s Who’ of industry legends, from David Bowie and Queen in the 1970s to modern day icons Lady Gaga and Janelle Monae.
Known as “the man who photographed the ’70s,” Rock’s lifetime of work showcases his signature quirky style, along with hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from 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 and roll, not to mention his heart…here are just a few of his legendary photographs’ .
Mick Rock, who passed away at 72 in 2021, has posthumously published a lifetime’s work of photo shoots with the stars.
Rock’s life’s work is captured in the unique photo album, capturing everything from his role in the early line-up of ‘Ziggy Stardust’ to photo shoots with Miley Cyrus and Snoop Dogg.
The legendary photographer achieved mythical status in the music world after becoming David Bowie’s official photographer in the early ’70s, where he took some of the pop rocker’s most memorable early images as his alter ego Ziggy Stardust.
Mick Rock’s relationships with his high-profile models were much more than photo shoots and small talk.
Speaking about his experience shooting 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 found on many iconic industry stamps, including early promos for Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust and the famous Queen II album cover.
Discussing his role in filming the Queen album, Rock said: “In February 1974, I filmed the Queen II album cover. I felt that I needed to have a certain great quality.
“I came across a photo of Marlene Dietrich on the set of the 1932 Shanghai Express, and she was under a overhead light, her eyes hooded, her arms crossed and her fingers spread. I showed Freddie the picture and he loved it, so that that was all.
Madonna was photographed in this raunchy Mick Rock look during a visit to Bleeker Bob’s in New York, 1980
Speaking about his experience shooting 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 shoot when we got there: he was channeling Bob Marley and Hendrix. Crazy!’
Rock filmed the iconic Queen II album cover in 1974, as he said he believed it “had to have a certain great quality to it”. Discussing his role in filming the Queen album, Rock said: “In February 1974, I filmed the Queen II album cover. I felt that I needed to have a certain great quality. “I came across a photo of Marlene Dietrich on the set of the 1932 Shanghai Express, and she was under a overhead light, her eyes hooded, her arms crossed and her fingers spread. I showed Freddie the picture and he loved it, so that that was all.
Rock achieved mythic status in the music industry when he became David Bowie’s official photographer when the artist launched his alter ego, Ziggy Stardust.
Rock took this iconic snapshot of Syd Barrett back in 1969, when he said the rocker “traded his Mini for this huge Pontiac American car.” He couldn’t drive it but he rocked it’
Unafraid to test the limits, this shot of Lou Reed on the phone was what Rock called an “unavoidable exploding plastic jacket.”
As a professional friend and ally to the stars, Mick Rock was able to capture numerous shots that other photographers simply couldn’t, like this one of Iggy Pop and David Bowie hanging out backstage.
While best known as “the man who shot the ’70s,” Mick Rock has enjoyed photo shoots with the biggest stars of every generation, including Miley Cyrus and Janelle Monae.
While best known as “the man who photographed the ’70s,” Mick Rock has taken photographs of the biggest stars of every generation, including Miley Cyrus.
Rock’s close relationships with his high profile led to snapshots most music photographers could only dream of, including this one of Lady Gaga and Bono enjoying a night out in 2009 at The Spotted Pig in New York.