Rock ‘n’ Roll Icons: the photography of Mick Rock

29 September to 8 January 2006

Spanning 40 years of rock, this exhibition was the largest ever to date by legendary photographer Mick Rock, ‘the man who shot the seventies’ . The exhibition featured some of his best known and loved work, the and the acts and auras which summed up an era of glam including David Bowie, Queen and Blondie.

Mick Rock was the official photographer for David Bowie during his Ziggy Stardust phase, and his portfolio includes hundreds of photos capturing Bowie both performing and back staged. Rock also captured the iconic Queen Bohemian Rhapsody image, with Mercury dressed like an angel in white.

Included in this exhibition were over 150 portraits of seminal rock artists such as Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Queen, Syd Barrett, David Bowie, as well as some of Rock’s more recent work including bands such as Razorlight, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the Killers, Kasabian, The Chemical Brothers, Johnny Marr, Marilyn Manson; as well as Rock’s fashion work including portraits of ubermodel rock chick Kate Moss. The exhibition also included rare and previously unseen images and video footage, out-takes and personal interviews.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Icons: The Photography of Mick Rock, gave a glimpse into the portfolio of one the most prolific music photographers of all time, whose work adorns countless album covers, posters and magazines and has profoundly influenced contemporary culture.