MICK ROCK: THE RISE OF DAVID BOWIE, 1972-1973

by Mick Rock, Barney Hoskyns, Michael Bracewell

In 1972, David Bowie released his groundbreaking album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and unleashed his a glitter-clad, mascara-eyed, sexually-ambiguous persona who kicked down boundaries between male and female, straight and gay, fact and fiction. Together, Ziggy the album and Ziggy the stage spectacular propelled Bowie to stardom. A key passenger on this glam trip was photographer Mick Rock, who bonded with Bowie artistically and personally, immersed himself in the singer’s inner circle, and, between 1972 and 1973, worked as Bowie’s official photographer. This edition of 1,972 numbered copies signed by David Bowie and Mick Rock brings together the best of Rock’s Bowie portfolio with extraordinary stage shots as well as intimate backstage portraits. Pictures for press, album jackets, and stills from promo movies sit alongside many photos published here for the first time, offering unprecedented access to the many facets of Bowie’s personality. With a hologram cover of various head shots, the book rejoices in Bowie’s experimentation and bursts with the energy of its unique star who defined, and defied, a generation.

310 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2015

About the author

Mick Rock was the man who photographed rock 'n' roll in the seventies, especially glam. He was the official photographer of David Bowie through all his personas.

A photographer best known for his iconic shots of rock and roll legends such as Queen, David Bowie, Syd Barrett, Lou Reed, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Iggy Pop and The Stooges, The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Joan Jett, Talking Heads, Roxy Music, Crossfade, Thin Lizzy, Motley Crue, and Blondie. Rock has had major exhibitions in London, Liverpool, Berlin, Manchester, New York, Los Angeles, Oslo, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Tokyo, San Francisco, and Las Vegas.

Reviews

[Love always, Moony. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, Mick Rock, David had brilliant neck and thighs. 🙏