(Trends Wide) — Mick Rock, the photographer who “captured the 70s” and took iconic images of artists like David Bowie, Queen, Blondie and Iggy and the Stooges, has died, according to a statement on his verified Instagram account on Friday.
“Those who had the pleasure of existing in its orbit, know that Mick was always much more than ‘The man who captured the 70’. He was a photographic poet, a true force of nature who spent his days doing exactly what he loved, always in his delightfully scandalous way, ”the statement read.
“The stars seemed to align effortlessly to Mick when he was behind the camera; feeding on the unique charisma of his subjects electrified and energized him. His intention was always intense. His focus was always total.
Mick Rock with his photo of David Bowie and Mick Ronson. Credit: J. Vespa / WireImage for Peoples Revolution / Getty Images
“A man fascinated with the image, absorbed visual beings through his lens and immersed himself in his art, thus creating some of the most magnificent photographs rock music has ever seen. To meet Mick was to love him. He was a mythical creature; as we will never experience again. “
Born in 1948, Rock rose to fame in the 1970s for his work capturing images of musicians such as Lou Reed and The Ramones, and his work on album covers such as Syd Barrett’s “The Madcap Laughs”, “Transformer” and ” Coney Island Baby “by Lou Reed,” Raw Power “by Iggy and the Stooges,” Queen II “and” Sheer Heart Attack “by Queen,” End of the Century “by The Ramones and” I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll ” by Joan Jett.
Rock’s friendship with stars David Bowie and Syd Barrett attracted significant attention: he was present at the initial success of Barrett’s band Pink Floyd, as well as his friend’s decision to leave the group and avoid being the center. of attention. A skilled writer and accomplished photographer, it was Rock who conducted Barrett’s last interview in 1971 for Rolling Stone, decades before the rock star’s death in 2006.
The photographer also assumed the role of David Bowie’s official photographer from 1972 to 1973 and the chameleon artist signed nearly 2,000 of his intimate shots for a book that became a posthumous tribute when Bowie died in January 2016.
Rock also photographed contemporary artists such as Pharrell, The Black Keys, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, and Snoop Dogg.
