The seventies were restless, vibrant, exciting, creative. It was the heyday of global rock music. It was music and photography that Dutch photographer Guisbert Hanekroot devoted himself to during those years. The Lumiere Brothers Center for Photography hosted the Dutch master’s exhibition “From ABBA to ZAPP. Rock Photography of the 1970s.”.
1. Elton John, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1973
Elton John, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1973
Immediately after this photo was published, someone joked, “This is a Coca-Cola PR campaign.”. Almost 20 years later, Diet Coke Commercial appeared on television. Guess who was starring?
Collaborating with the well-known publications OOR, Nieuwe Revu, Margriet, Viva, Gisbert Hanekroot attended hundreds of shows and shot numerous interviews. His concert photos, vivid and expressive, pulled out the most powerful moment of the show. Hanekroot posed for Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart, John Lennon and Keith Richards, David Bowie and Blondie, Bob Marley, Joe Cocker and Miles Davis.
Spending a lot of time with those whom millions were singing along to, he tried to look deeper than the stage image and capture not the star, but the personality. That’s why his portraits are so natural and intimate, relaxed and lacking in affectation.
Gisbert got his first camera at the age of 12. It was a present from his mother, a 6×9 cm camera. At the same time the first glossy magazines began to appear. A boy interested in the art of photography. After serving in the army, Hanekroot had a desire to become a photographer, but he was afraid he would not make a professional like Henri Cartier-Bresson, his idol and role model. At the same time, he didn’t want to become a commercial photographer, shooting weddings.
Gisbert Hanekroot considers himself a self-taught photographer, all of his photography training consisted of a three-month internship with the then famous Dutch photographer Philippe Mecanicus. At the same time, Hanecroot’s buddy was working for a gaining popularity music magazine devoted to rock music. Rock was becoming more and more popular around the world. Gisbert realized he had found his calling..
In 2008, Hanecroot’s book Abba…Zappa Seventies Rock Photography was published with more than 300 photographs of 1970s rock stars. It became a veritable textbook on the history of rock music and photography.
Hysbert Hanecroot’s exhibitions were repeatedly held in Amsterdam, Leiden, and Rotterdam. His work is represented in galleries in Amsterdam and Paris. New York exposition includes more than a hundred photos, bringing back to the legendary atmosphere, including 20 unique vintage prints, made in the 70th.
2. Jackson Five, Michael Jackson, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1972
Jackson Five, Michael Jackson, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1972
“I think Michael was 13 years old in 1972, so he could have been in this beautiful show until late at night. At the time, I could never have guessed which of the five was destined to become a legend.”
3. John Lennon, Yoko Ono, London, England, 1971
John Lennon, Yoko Ono, London, 1971
4.Bob Marley, The Wailers,The Hague,Netherlands, 1977
Bob Marley, The Wailers, The Hague, Netherlands, 1977
I think Bob Marley is black Mick Jagger. Unfortunately, Bob died long before his time. When you met him, he was as shy as Jagger. But his energy during the concert was enormous!
5. Jerry Hall, Brian Ferry, Roxy Music, Amsterdam, 1976
Jerry Hall, Bryan Ferry, Roxy Music, Amsterdam, 1976
The elegant interiors of Amsterdam’s Amstel Hotel were the best place to photograph this beautiful couple. Brian Ferry was already at the zenith of his fame, and Jerry was only twenty. It’s easy to imagine how much they loved each other. Although very soon she will meet Mick Jagger..
6. David Bowie, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 1976
David Bowie, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 1976
This new character was called Thin White Duke. Huge boxes of fluorescent lights were installed in the stage lighting designs, which created special effects for the show.
7. Mick Jagger, The Rolling Stones, Cologne, Germany, 1973
Mick Jagger, The Rolling Stones, Cologne, Germany, 1973
Jagger changed costumes several times during his performance. Beautiful choreography and the haze of dry ice gave an incredible effect!
Thanks to Olga Korovkina for her help in preparing this material.
Thanks to the Lumière Brothers Center for Photography for the photos provided for publication.
