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| UK photographer Mick Rock 2021 / Courtesy of Mick Rock |
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, Madonna and Lady Gaga are all names known to people around the globe, with their own fan bases in Korea.
Besides this, there is one more thing they have in common: They've all worked with renowned British photographer Mick Rock for their album covers or portrait photos.
Due to his extensive work with global stars during their "golden days" from the 1970s to the present, Rock is often referred to with his rather lengthy nickname "the man that shot the 70s."
His bond with celebrities goes back to his early age, starting with Syd Barrett, one of the early members of Pink Floyd. Barrett, a singer, writer and guitarist, was one of the founding members of the British rock band which mesmerized music fans in their live shows with their sonic experimentation and philosophical lyrics.
Asked about the secret to his prolific career as a photographer, particularly with globally renowned musicians, Rock said his genre-sounding surname might offer the clue.
"Maybe it's got something to do with my name," he joked during a recent Korea Times interview.
"I hung out with musicians from an early age….But I have shot models and got some great photos of Kate Moss and actors. I have some fabulous images of Benicio Del Toro," he added.
Among the many pop icons and models he has teamed up with over the past five decades, Rock said he felt most comfortable working with the late David Bowie.
Calling Bowie, who is regarded as one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century, "a kind and generous soul," he said he loved shooting him. "One couldn't really take a bad image of him," he said.
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| David Bowie by Mick Rock / Courtesy of Mick Rock |
He said Freddie Mercury and Lou Reed were some of the other artists he was also comfortable with.
One of Rock's recent works was for Miley Cyrus' latest album cover. "She was full of energy to work with," he commented.
Asked if there were or are any artists he found it tough to work with, he said he always enjoyed working with the stars and there were no artists with whom he had a hard time building a good working relationship.
"I'm not a critic," he said. "If I'm shooting you, I'm going to love you during the session. I don't really find any musician difficult. It's always fun for me."
Rock's five decades of work with celebrities has enabled him to have an insider's view of the stars and their lives.
Asked about his work experience with British rock band Queen's lead vocalist Freddie Mercury, who gained a belated fandom among young Koreans for the 2018 film "Bohemian Rhapsody," Rock said the late singer was a perfectionist but his thorough work style didn't bother him.
"Freddie was very easy to work with. He was a perfectionist but he trusted me and he clearly enjoyed our sessions," he said.
Mercury (1946-91) was one of the greatest singers of his time. His four-octave vocal range and powerful yet enjoyable music fascinated many Koreans rediscovering his music in 2018, nearly two decades after his death.
"Bohemian Rhapsody" featuring Queen and their music was a big hit in Korea when it was released. It attracted nearly 10 million viewers, a mark typically used to judge whether certain movie releases are successful or not.
Many of the viewers were multiple-time watchers, meaning they revisited theaters for "Bohemian Rhapsody." One of the rare things about the overdue "Queen phenomenon" in Korea back in 2018 was that many of the viewers were people in their 20s or 30s who were born after Mercury died in 1991.
Rock said he saw the movie, too. "It was very popular worldwide," he said. "I watched it with my wife. Of course, it wasn't a documentary. It was told as a story. It was certainly entertaining."
He noted "Bohemian Rhapsody" was a fair representation of the band.
Rock collaborated recently with Irish street artist Fin DAC for the art project MIDARO, arranged by British fine art gallery West Contemporary.
