"He was a photographic poet — a true force of nature who spent his days doing exactly what he loved, always in his own delightfully outrageous way."
*As explained on his website on the event of his passing.
My dear friend David Brommer of Suspect Photography sends me a text in the early evening. He lets me know of the passing of Mick Rock. I had to sit down. But once I gathered myself, I picked up my copy of EXPOSED. Then went out to my studio and made this tribute self portrait. I still don't understand the need to do this but I felt drawn. David aked me earlier to speak at the B&H Depth of Field Conference at the New Yorker where Mick would headline a keynote address on his retrospective career. Since it was rock & roll related David asked me to teach a concert photography portion to add value in that sector. I felt like I was the opener and I better be funny because the way Mick tells a story you can't help to smile alot as he speaks about his body of work in a very storytelling way. He's raw, he's gritty and swears some too. Haha, but it is all in good favor as we watch in awe his images come across the screens. David and I sat in the front row and felt utterly connected to Mick. Our inspiration tanks were full.
"From Warhol to Queen, British Photographer Mick Rock says he was the only photographer around when he captured--with unprecedented intimacy—these shots of the NY Underground, Rock 'n Roll, and Warhol's World." Christies
Open this trailer on Rock's documentary "SHOT" and instantly feel the vibe of why he was so loved. A Magnolia Pictures piece, holds so many of his great quotes. You see, Mick wasn't only a master of capturing moments but he had a deep understanding of language and was also a poet, both in prose and with his Nikon camera.
Born in Hammersmith, London Mick lived from 1948 until 2021.
"It's an energy thing. In the height of the moment I say assasin, because that's what I feel like when I'm going to take you out! I want that feeling."
"I didn't have a clue where I was going but I was going to be going there anyway."
"Mick Rock Rocky Horror: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Cult Classic―Featuring Unseen Photographs and Exclusive Interviews Commemorating 50 Years of B-Movie Camp and Queer Cinema. Mick Rock had exclusive access to the set during the original filming of the now-iconic 1975 movie—and now, in honor of its 50th anniversary, his personal archive is wide open."
The iconic Killer Queen cover in color.
article by Lori Patrick