Image above:
Mick and Freddie Mercury in London © Estate of Mick Rock 1974, 2025
Every name tells a story, but few live up to theirs quite like Mick Rock. The late British photographer is celebrated as a chronicler of music history, immortalising its most notable figures from the turbulent 1970s through final works before his death in 2021.
Though “Rock” might seem like a fitting pseudonym, his portfolio of work embodies the spirit of the eras he documented. Whether it was David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust, Freddie Mercury with Queen, or Lou Reed’s introspective gaze, Mick Rock was always there, camera in hand and ready to capture the raw crux of music’s most transformative moments.
The Golden Years
What began as a serendipitous discovery of a friend's film camera evolved into a career that redefined music photography. Young and impressionable, Rock journeyed through Cambridge University where he was drawn to the literary subcultures of French Symbolists, English Romantics, and Beat poets—worlds that he would later use to inspire his photography ethos.
It was at Cambridge that his friend Syd Barrett helped pique his interest in photography through an informal portrait session in his garden. It not only marked the start of Rock’s career but also intersected with Barrett’s rise as co-founder of the progressive band Pink Floyd. Together, they catalysed a new chapter in both music and visual storytelling.
Mick Rock’s photographs are lyrical in their own way, presenting an unfiltered look at the lives of artists. He not only shot the electric highs of performances on stage, but also the quiet comedowns backstage and at home that followed. Rock helped preserve the most human scenes behind the legends.
The Eyes Behind The Icons
While musicians wield microphones and guitars, Mick Rock chose cameras as weapons of art— his arsenal included a battered Pentax, a Bolex wind-up, and an Arriflex throughout the early days of his career.
Ziggy Stardust and David Bowie
Among his most notable collaborations was his work with David Bowie. Their relationship in the early 70s was magnetic, with Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust persona breaking barriers of self-expression and Rock capturing the intimate, otherworldly essence.
David Bowie with Hunky Dory © Estate of Mick Rock 1972, 2025
As Bowie’s official photographer, he created images for the 1972 album, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, composed of beautifully heroic colour palettes and stoic portraits of his alter ego. These photographs documented Bowie’s evolution, both onstage and off, offering a new narrative to the glam rock phenomenon. Their creative synergy extended to music videos, with Rock directing the highly awarded “Life on Mars?”, “Space Oddity,” and “Jean Genie.” This partnership wasn’t just a collaboration; it was a cultural landmark.
Lou Reed and Debbie Harry
Rock’s work also extends to deeper, darker and more emotional pieces. In the 70s he forged a connection with musician Lou Reed, producing moody portraiture including the haunting cover for his solo album Transformer which today sits in the Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The imagery embraced imperfections, celebrating the raw textures of film and the duality of Reed’s persona.
Lou Reed Photographed in NYC Estate of Mick Rock 1974, 2025
Mick Rock’s lens also found a muse in Debbie Harry, the striking frontwoman of Blondie. His 1978 portraits of her can be considered visual masterpieces, blending bold chromatic contrasts, dramatic lighting, and evocative poses. Describing her as “timeless,” Rock’s photographs of Harry reflect both his unique style and her effortless charisma, capturing the spirit of the era with unfiltered intimacy.
A Legacy on Film
From his first experimental shots to his later works with contemporary artists, Mick Rock’s photography did more than document the rock scene—it shaped it. His ability to unveil the vulnerability and theatricality of musicians has influenced generations of photographers, proving that the power of an image lies in its authenticity.
The Legends of Rock
The gritty glamour of the 70s, 80s, and 90s continues to inspire the collection this season. Drawing from the personas Mick Rock so brilliantly captured, our designs pay homage to an era where art, rebellion, and music collided.
Mick Rock’s vision remains a beacon—a reminder that through the lens of an artist, legends are born.
Shop The Great Frog Collection
Mick Rock: The Man Who Shot the 70s
Image above: Mick and Freddie Mercury in London © Estate of Mick Rock 1974, 2025
Every name tells a story, but few live up to theirs quite like Mick Rock. The late British photographer is celebrated as a chronicler of music history, immortalising its most notable figures from the turbulent 1970s through final works before his death in 2021.
Though “Rock” might seem like a fitting pseudonym, his portfolio of work embodies the spirit of the eras he documented. Whether it was David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust, Freddie Mercury with Queen, or Lou Reed’s introspective gaze, Mick Rock was always there, camera in hand and ready to capture the raw crux of music’s most transformative moments.
The Golden Years
What began as a serendipitous discovery of a friend's film camera evolved into a career that redefined music photography. Young and impressionable, Rock journeyed through Cambridge University where he was drawn to the literary subcultures of French Symbolists, English Romantics, and Beat poets—worlds that he would later use to inspire his photography ethos.
It was at Cambridge that his friend Syd Barrett helped pique his interest in photography through an informal portrait session in his garden. It not only marked the start of Rock’s career but also intersected with Barrett’s rise as co-founder of the progressive band Pink Floyd. Together, they catalysed a new chapter in both music and visual storytelling.
Mick Rock’s photographs are lyrical in their own way, presenting an unfiltered look at the lives of artists. He not only shot the electric highs of performances on stage, but also the quiet comedowns backstage and at home that followed. Rock helped preserve the most human scenes behind the legends.
The Eyes Behind The Icons
While musicians wield microphones and guitars, Mick Rock chose cameras as weapons of art— his arsenal included a battered Pentax, a Bolex wind-up, and an Arriflex throughout the early days of his career.
Ziggy Stardust and David Bowie
Among his most notable collaborations was his work with David Bowie. Their relationship in the early 70s was magnetic, with Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust persona breaking barriers of self-expression and Rock capturing the intimate, otherworldly essence.
David Bowie with Hunky Dory © Estate of Mick Rock 1972, 2025
As Bowie’s official photographer, he created images for the 1972 album, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, composed of beautifully heroic colour palettes and stoic portraits of his alter ego. These photographs documented Bowie’s evolution, both onstage and off, offering a new narrative to the glam rock phenomenon. Their creative synergy extended to music videos, with Rock directing the highly awarded “Life on Mars?”, “Space Oddity,” and “Jean Genie.” This partnership wasn’t just a collaboration; it was a cultural landmark.
Lou Reed and Debbie Harry
Rock’s work also extends to deeper, darker and more emotional pieces. In the 70s he forged a connection with musician Lou Reed, producing moody portraiture including the haunting cover for his solo album Transformer which today sits in the Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The imagery embraced imperfections, celebrating the raw textures of film and the duality of Reed’s persona.
Lou Reed Photographed in NYC Estate of Mick Rock 1974, 2025
Mick Rock’s lens also found a muse in Debbie Harry, the striking frontwoman of Blondie. His 1978 portraits of her can be considered visual masterpieces, blending bold chromatic contrasts, dramatic lighting, and evocative poses. Describing her as “timeless,” Rock’s photographs of Harry reflect both his unique style and her effortless charisma, capturing the spirit of the era with unfiltered intimacy.
A Legacy on Film
From his first experimental shots to his later works with contemporary artists, Mick Rock’s photography did more than document the rock scene—it shaped it. His ability to unveil the vulnerability and theatricality of musicians has influenced generations of photographers, proving that the power of an image lies in its authenticity.
The Legends of Rock
The gritty glamour of the 70s, 80s, and 90s continues to inspire the collection this season. Drawing from the personas Mick Rock so brilliantly captured, our designs pay homage to an era where art, rebellion, and music collided.
Mick Rock’s vision remains a beacon—a reminder that through the lens of an artist, legends are born.
Shop The Great Frog Collection