Mick Rock: The Rise of David Bowie. 1972–1973 - Hardcover

Hoskyns, Barney; Bracewell, Michael

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 383659403X ISBN 13: 9783836594035

Publisher: TASCHEN, 2023

Synopsis

A unique tribute from David Bowie’s official photographer and creative partner, Mick Rock, compiled in 2015, with Bowie’s blessing.

In 1972, David Bowie released his groundbreaking album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. With it landed Bowie’s Stardust alter ego: 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.

A key passenger on this glam trip into the stratosphere was fellow Londoner and photographer Mick Rock. Rock bonded with Bowie artistically and personally, immersed himself in the singer’s inner circle, and, between 1972 and 1973, worked as the singer’s photographer and videographer.

This collection brings together spectacular stage shots, iconic photo shoots, 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.

About this title

About the Authors

Barney Hoskyns was born in London in 1959. He is the editorial director of Rock’s Backpages, the online library of pop writing and journalism, and a former staff writer at the New Musical Express, contributing editor to Vogue, and U.S. correspondent for MOJO. He is the author of the Tom Waits biography Lowside of the Road (2009) and Trampled Under Foot, the oral history of Led Zeppelin (2012).

Michael Bracewell was born in London in 1958 and has written widely on modern and contemporary art and culture. His more recent publications include Richard Hamilton: Late Works, and Damien Hirst: The Complete Psalm Paintings. He has contributed to The Faber Book of Pop and The Penguin Book of Twentieth-Century Fashion Writing.

Mick Rock (1948–2021), was born in London and is known as “The Man who shot the seventies.” As well as David Bowie, he has photographed Lou Reed, Queen, Iggy Pop, Roxy Music and Blondie. He also produced and directed music videos for the classic Bowie songs: “John, I’m Only Dancing”, “The Jean Genie”, “Space Oddity” and “Life On Mars?”. Rock has had major exhibitions in London, New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, San Francisco, and Las Vegas.

From the Back Cover

Una retrospectiva única de Mick Rock, el fotógrafo oficial y socio creativo de David Bowie, recopilada en 2015 con el consentimiento del propio Bowie.En 1972, David Bowie publicó su revolucionario álbum The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Con él nació también el alter ego Stardust de Bowie: un ser de vestimenta reluciente, rímel en los ojos y sexualmente ambiguo que rompió las fronteras entre lo masculino y lo femenino, lo heterosexual y lo homosexual, la realidad y la ficción en un cambiante y brillante fenómeno de autoexpresión de los años setenta. Ziggy, el álbum, y Ziggy, el espectáculo, convirtieron al londinense de voz suave en una de las mayores estrellas del mundo.Uno de los pasajeros clave en ese viaje glam rumbo a la estratosfera fue Mick Rock, también de Londres. Rock estableció vínculos artísticos y personales muy estrechos con Bowie; pasó a formar parte del círculo íntimo del cantante y trabajó, en 1972 y 1973, como su fotógrafo oficial.Esta colección de fotografías reúne instantáneas espectaculares sobre el escenario y retratos íntimos en el backstage. El libro celebra la experimentación y reinvención audaz de Bowie. Una visión sin precedentes de las múltiples facetas del artista. Jugando con lo distante y lo accesible, lo divertido y lo serio, este apasionado tributo se regocija en la experimentación y la imprevisibilidad, y celebra la eterna inspiración de un artista audaz y excepcional que siempre será recordado.

Edition details

• Publisher: TASCHEN
• Publication date: 2023
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 383659403X
• ISBN 13: 9783836594035
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192