In 1972, David Bowie released his groundbreaking album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. With it came Bowie’s alter ego and fellow Londoner and photographer Mick Rock.
Ziggy was a glitter-clad, mascara-eyed, sexually ambiguous persona who kicked down the boundaries between male and female, straight and gay, fact and fiction into one shifting and sparkling phenomenon of ’70s self-expression. Together, Ziggy the album and Ziggy the stage spectacular propelled the softly spoken Londoner into one of the world’s biggest stars.
Rock bonded with Bowie artistically and personally, immersing himself in the singer’s inner circle, and, between 1972 and 1973, worked as the singer’s photographer and videographer.
Rock has pulled together a collection of images from that magical time for a new book. Mick Rock. The Rise of David Bowie, 1972–1973 – published by TASCHEN – features spectacular stage shots, iconic photoshoots, as well as intimate backstage portraits.
It celebrates Bowie’s fearless experimentation and reinvention while offering privileged access to the many facets of his personality and fame. “Through the aloof and approachable, the playful and serious, the candid and the contrived, the result is a passionate tribute to a brilliant and inspirational artist whose creative vision will never be forgotten,” says the publisher.
Mick Rock was born in London in 1948 and is known as ‘The Man who shot the seventies. As well as David Bowie, he’s photographed Lou Reed, Queen, Iggy Pop, Roxy Music, and Blondie. He also produced and directed music videos for classic Bowie songs like Life On Mars.
