About John Rowlands

John Rowlands is a photographer whose work documents some of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century at moments of creative and cultural transformation. Working primarily during the 1960s and 1970s, he photographed artists not as distant icons but as living presences — onstage, backstage, and in the charged spaces in between.

Rowlands’ access was rooted in trust rather than spectacle. He worked quietly, often close to the stage or just beyond it, observing rather than directing. This approach allowed him to capture images that feel unguarded and immediate, shaped by timing, proximity, and restraint rather than performance for the camera.

That trust was recognised by the artists themselves. David Bowie, speaking to Rowlands over one of the many breakfasts they shared, once said:

“I trust you. I like the way you see. I like the way you think.”

It was an acknowledgment not only of access, but of intent.

Throughout this period, Rowlands photographed many of the defining figures of modern music, including David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Queen, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley and many more. His images appeared in major publications of the time, yet much of his most significant work was never widely circulated.

A black-and-white photo of a performer in checkered clothing, holding a microphone and singing on stage, with a spotlight shining on them.
A woman with short blonde hair in a black dress and white shirt holding a gun in her right hand, striking a dramatic pose with her left hand behind her ear, in black and white.
A man with dark hair, mustache, and beard smiling in front of an airplane, wearing a black jacket with white decorative embellishments.
A woman dancer performing on stage in front of a band, with a drummer and guitarist visible, in black and white.
Black and white photo of a shirtless man with long hair holding a microphone on stage, with three band members playing instruments in the background.
A black-and-white photo of a lively stage performance with women singing and dancing, a woman in the center with her arms outstretched and singing passionately, accompanied by musicians playing instruments in the background.
Black and white photo of a man in a suit holding a small notepad, standing in front of a wooden wall.
A performer with long hair, glasses, and a surprised expression playing a grand piano on stage.
Two men in suits and one man in a vest holding framed gold records, smiling at a celebratory event.
A woman smiling confidently on stage, holding a microphone, with bright lighting and a full moon in the background, wearing a glamorous, sleeveless, sequined dress.
A woman with red hair performing on stage, wearing a blue sweater with yellow dots and white high-waisted pants, with her arms extended outward.
A 1970s soul or disco band performing on stage with colorful lighting in the background, featuring four female singers in matching glittery outfits.
Black and white photo of a male musician playing an electric guitar with eyes closed, standing in front of a microphone on stage, with other band members in the background.
A woman dressed in punk attire holding a platinum record award above her head on stage, with several women in the background holding similar awards and smiling.
A black-and-white photo of a rock musician on stage pointing towards the camera, playing an electric guitar, and wearing a sleeveless shirt with stars on the pants. The stage is lit from above with visible spotlights.
A man passionately performs on stage with a guitar and microphone, surrounded by musical equipment in a venue with a dark backdrop.
A group of people gathered around a man with afro, smiling and seated at a table, in a vintage black-and-white photo.
Woman in a native headdress and elaborate costume singing on stage, with a man playing piano in the background.
A woman with red hair singing into a microphone against a red background.
Black and white photo of two men, one with a cigarette in his mouth, wearing a tank top, and the other with a jacket, both appearing to be performing or rehearsing with musical instruments.

Throughout this period, Rowlands photographed many of the defining figures of modern music, including David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Queen, Bob Marley, , Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley and many more. His images appeared in major publications of the time, yet much of his most significant work was never widely circulated.

Despite the scope and importance of the material, Rowlands was separated from the bulk of his original negatives and transparencies for more than 45 years. During a period when many photographers were consolidating their archives and reputations, his ability to publish, exhibit, or fully contextualise his work was severely limited. As a result, large portions of the archive remained unseen, unprinted, and effectively unknown outside a small circle.

The recovery and careful reassessment of this material has made it possible, for the first time, to present the work as it was originally intended. The photographs are approached not as memorabilia, but as cultural artifacts — documents of performance, presence, and transformation captured at the moment they occurred.

All works presented are produced using museum-grade digitisation from original materials, and printed as strictly limited editions using archival pigment processes on heavyweight, acid-free papers. Each edition is carefully controlled to preserve both material integrity and historical context.

What is shown here represents a curated introduction to a much larger body of work that continues to be studied, restored, and released with care.

Questions about the archive or any of the work contained within are welcome.

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