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‘Sade wasn’t particularly friendly’: the stories behind music’s most iconic portraits
Photographer Gered Mankowitz opens up about the secret stories behind iconic images of Elton John, Jimi Hendrix, Annie Lennox that have have become indelible parts of pop culture history
TL;DR
- Gered Mankowitz created a sporting blooper concept, only shooting a cricket version with Elton John.
- A series with Marianne Faithfull in Dublin was rejected by her manager but later embraced by the artist.
- Duran Duran were cooperative and creative during shoots for Mankowitz's first exhibition.
- Suzi Quatro's 'leader of the gang' look was developed with her producer, showcasing her feisty yet innocent nature.
- Carly Simon was quiet and low-key but embraced Mankowitz's ideas for an understated punk glamour.
- A shoot with The Rolling Stones for Observer Magazine turned sour, with accusations of reminding them of 'bad times'.
- Sade was reserved and not particularly friendly during a 30-minute shoot for Mojo magazine.
- Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart of Eurythmics were joy to work with; a Paris shoot inspired the Revenge album cover.
- A Wham! portrait for Smash Hits! magazine was composed to allow fans to hang it either way.
- Mankowitz aimed for serious, dignified portraits of a relatively unknown Jimi Hendrix in 1967.