Music photographer Mick Rock, who photographed David Bowie, Queen, Debbie Harry and Iggy Pop, has died aged 72.
He was Bowie’s official photographer in the early 1970s, helping to make singer’s alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, a sensation in the charts.
The images of Rock have appeared on album covers for Queen (Queen II), Lou Reed (Transformer) and Iggy Pop And The Stooges (Raw Power).
And he even directed Bowie’s music videos for Jean Genie and Space Oddity.
A statement on Rock’s Twitter page confirmed the Briton’s death, saying: “It is with the heaviest hearts that we share our beloved psychedelic renegade Mick Rock made the Jungian journey to the other side.
“Those who have had the pleasure of existing in his orbit, know that Mick was always more than ‘The Man Who Shot The 70s’. He was a photographic poet – a true force of nature who spent his days in doing exactly what he loved, always in his delightfully scandalous way. “
The statement added: “The stars seemed to line up effortlessly for Mick when he was behind the camera; feeding on the unique charisma of his subjects electrified and energized him.
One of Rock’s iconic album covers – Raw Power by Iggy And The Stooges
“His intention still intense. His concentration still total.
“A man fascinated by image, he absorbed visual beings through his lens and immersed himself in their art, creating some of the most magnificent images rock music has ever seen.
“To know Mick was to love him. He was a mythical creature, as we will never see him again.”
He ended by saying rather than mourning his loss, his life should be celebrated. No cause of death was given.
Born in London in 1948, Rock studied at the University of Cambridge, where he met Syd Barrett, a founding member of Pink Floyd, who became one of his first subjects.
Rock has been described as “a legend, a true artist”
Rock underwent heart bypass surgery and a kidney transplant in the 1990s after years of rock and roll excess.
Photographer Mick Rock has passed away
“I have lived the life,” he said later. “Besides taking the photos, I lived the life.”
Lately, Rock had The Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga among their clients.
Queen guitarist Brian May said he was “sad and shocked to hear of the passing of our friend, photographer Mick Rock”.
He said that the cover photo of “Queen II” “gave us a lasting image, inspired part of the” look “of our Bohemian Rhapsody video a few years later, and has been widely emulated by others throughout. years since “.
Sharon Osbourne said Rock’s work “will live on forever”, adding: “We have lost a legend, a true artist”.
Her husband, Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy, was also one of the big stars Rock photographed in his time.
Mick Rock with a portrait of Lou Reed
Tim Burgess, lead singer of The Charlatans, wrote: “Safe travels Mick Rock. You made the music so exciting x ”.
Bowie and Smashing Pumpkins session musician Mike Garson also paid tribute, writing: “So sad to hear of Mick Rock’s passing. He was one of a kind with such a sense of aesthetics and grabbing the good guys. moments.
“It was also a lot of fun traveling with him back in the Spider-Verse era. Mick gave so much to this planet and he adored David. Mick’s journey will continue.”
