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Exposed: The Faces of Rock N' Roll
Mick Rock's photo career began with him sneaking his camera into rock shows; it ignited when he started shooting a practically unknown David Bowie in 1972 and then went on to document the rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust. Since then Mick's become a legend himself, shooting a who's who of rock, punk, and pop icons and capturing the images of stars right as they became part of the pop firmament. Exposed collects 200 of his best photos across nearly 40 years, including unforgettable images of Syd Barrett, Lou Reed, Blondie, Queen, Iggy Pop, the Sex Pistols, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the Killers, Lady Gaga, U2, and many more. Featuring a revealing introduction, narrative captions, and an illuminating foreword by playwright Tom Stoppard, Exposed is a gorgeous visual celebration for music fans.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2010
38 people want to read
About the author
Mick Rock
43 books22 followersMick 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 31, 2018
Got this book as a gift a few years ago after finishing an internship. I'm still so freaking happy I got this! Mick Rock is such an inspiration to me
January 17, 2025
This guy was a legend! What beautiful photography. So much depth and emotion in these photos. You can’t stop looking at them
November 24, 2010
To many, Mick Rock is the ultimate rock and roll photographer. From his rockstar name to his obsession with glam, Rock became one of the few legends of rock and roll lensmanship. Beginning with the glam rock of pre-Ziggy David Bowie, Lou Reed and Iggy Pop, Rock became known for his work on album covers (the photos from Iggy’s “Raw Power,” “Queen II” and others are included here) as well as shooting for 70’s rock mags like Creem and Circus. Rock’s profile seemed to retreat as the era faded into other kinds of music, but as it turns out, the excesses of moving to New York and, as Rock describes it, “the trough I had so relentlessly plummeted into had badly blinded me to many essential considerations in the art of survival.”
After heart surgery in 1996, Rock became renewed again and the images in this book attest to that. Situated among the 70’s glam rock patinas are now a number of new character portraits making up for the lost years of Rock’s career. “Exposed” (Chronicle Books) features shots of everyone from Michael Buble, to Bono and Lady Gaga bring Rock’s portfolio up to date.
In the end, what’s important is Rock’s take on photography. From his early work with Syd Barrett to his later looks at groups like Supergrass and the Flaming Lips, Rock’s trademark is capturing the outsized personalities of rock and roll. The fact that we are missing most of the 80’s and 90’s is a drawback to be sure; but what remains is strikingly cool regardless.
After heart surgery in 1996, Rock became renewed again and the images in this book attest to that. Situated among the 70’s glam rock patinas are now a number of new character portraits making up for the lost years of Rock’s career. “Exposed” (Chronicle Books) features shots of everyone from Michael Buble, to Bono and Lady Gaga bring Rock’s portfolio up to date.
In the end, what’s important is Rock’s take on photography. From his early work with Syd Barrett to his later looks at groups like Supergrass and the Flaming Lips, Rock’s trademark is capturing the outsized personalities of rock and roll. The fact that we are missing most of the 80’s and 90’s is a drawback to be sure; but what remains is strikingly cool regardless.
December 26, 2010
Without a doubt, Mick Rock made iconic images of the great pop figures of the 20th Century. His images alone, defined the tragic yet extremely beautiful Syd Barrett and the ever-changing moods of David Bowie, and the decadence of Glam-era Lou Reed. All those images are in here, or at least a representation of the iconic photo shoots. But also there is a lot of publicity photo dreck as well. So one wonders if he made the images iconic, or the subject matter of the photos just have strong images that can't fail.
The other Mick Rock books are extremely focused, for instance there is one on glam, and the other on Iggy and the Stooges, Blondie, and of course the Syd Barrett photo book. And the fact that those books have such strong editorial focus makes his photographs stronger. A greatest hits or retrospective book of his works, doesn't show off his strength - due that his photo taking is always good, but not always inspired.
The other Mick Rock books are extremely focused, for instance there is one on glam, and the other on Iggy and the Stooges, Blondie, and of course the Syd Barrett photo book. And the fact that those books have such strong editorial focus makes his photographs stronger. A greatest hits or retrospective book of his works, doesn't show off his strength - due that his photo taking is always good, but not always inspired.
October 9, 2011
Few rock photographers are as much of a legend as Their subjects, but Mick Rock is one of that rare breed. There are more classic album cover photos in this collection than is decent, along with some remarkable intimate moments. From Syd Barrett, by way of Bowie, and on right up to Gaga, Mick has made definitive images of the heart and soul of rock music.
May 15, 2019
Mick Rock is the definitive music photographer from the 60s and into the 80s, and is still producing great work. This collection of some of his best and most famous photographs is essential.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews