Dean Chalkley

©Dean Chalkley / Design: Ben Drury / XL Recordings

 

 

Icon: Music Behind The Lens : The new six part television series documenting the history, impact and art of Music Photography shown for the first time on Sky Arts Friday 6th November 22:00 (GMT).

Dean contributed to the series along with over 60 of the worlds most eminent photographers who work in the music world. Also many of the musical artists from the pictures also give their perspective and opinions too including none other that Dizzee Rascal (pictured above). 

The programme is fast paced and exciting going from one photographer to another with live footage and the most iconic (as the name suggests) photographs from music. There are great stories and revelations, what went into the shots and the moments surrounding them. Director Dick Carruthers has included so much great music through the series, it is rare that so much  access and music material has been given, and it is testament to the fact that this is a  definitive and unique documentary on the subject. 

Each episode focuses on different  things. What makes an iconic image? This question provides the central theme for episode one as we are introduced to some of music photography’s greatest names.

Episode 3 focuses on The evolution of record sleeve photography from its roots in Jazz and early rock’n’roll through to the highly stylised concepts and imagery of modern-day music genres. Discussed by art directors, musicians and, of course, those music photographers responsible for some of these classic and legendary album covers (see if the cover above pops up...).

Just some of the photographers interviewed alongside Gered Mankowitz about their work in music include: Jill Furmanovsky, Kevin Westenberg, Terry O’Neill, Kevin Cummins, Bob Gruen, Rachel Wright, Deborah Feingold, Baron Wolman, Neal Preston, Roger Sargent, Dean Chalkley, Tom Sheehan, Pooneh Ghana, Michael Zagaris, Mick Rock, Danny Clinch, Christie Goodwin, Albert Watson, Lynn Goldsmith and Rankin to name but a few. Sharing eye-opening insights from a musician’s viewpoint are Alice Cooper, Craig David, Nick Mason (Pink Floyd), Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols), Ziggy Marley, Lars Ulrich, (Metallica), Zara Larsson, Stefflon Don, Julian Lennon and Dizzee Rascal and many others.

 

 

 

SKY Arts is now on Freeview 11 a new episode every Friday for 6 weeks, if you subscribe to SKY then on certain of their packages it can be watched back to back.