Legendary Music Photographer Mick Rock Has Died

Legendary music photographer Michael David “Mick” Rock, best known for his iconic work with David Bowie, Queen, Syd Barrett, Blondie, Iggy and the Stooges, Lou Reed, The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Joan Jett and countless other musicians, has died. He was 73 years old.

News of his death was released through his personal Instagram account yesterday, November 18. No cause of death was revealed.

The statement reads in full:

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share our beloved psychedelic renegade Mick Rock has made the Jungian journey to the other side. Those who had the pleasure of existing in his orbit, know that Mick was always so much more than ’The Man Who Shot The 70s.’ 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.

“The stars seemed to effortlessly align for Mick when he was behind the camera; feeding off of the unique charisma of his subjects electrified and energized him. His intent always intense. His focus always total. A man fascinated with image, he absorbed visual beings through his lens and immersed himself in their art, thus creating some of the most magnificent photographs rock music has ever seen. To know Mick was to love him. He was a mythical creature; the likes of which we shall never experience again.

“Let us not mourn the loss, but instead celebrate the fabulous life and extraordinary career of Michael David Rock. While you do so in your own way, we must ask that the privacy of his nearest and dearest be respected at this time. Therefore, there will be no further comments.”

Despite his most celebrated work as a photographer in the ’70s and ’80s, Rock kept shooting into his later years. A few of the more contemporary artists he photographed include Pharrell, The Black Keys, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga and Snoop Dogg.

On behalf of everyone at MetalSucks, we wish Rock’s family and friends the best during this difficult time.