Skip to main content

Michael Putland Photography

British, 1947-2019
Michael Putland photographed everyone from Abba to Zappa. Born on May 27, 1947, Putland grew up in Harrow, England. He took his first pictures at the age of nine before leaving school at 16 to work as an assistant to various photographers including "Time-Life" photographer Walter Curtin and the legendary motor racing photographer, Louis Klemantaski. In 1969, Putland set up his own studio, and, by 1971, he was the official photographer for the British music magazine "Disc & Music Echo." His first assignment that year was to photograph Mick Jagger in London. From the editorial work for "Disc & Music Echo," "Sounds," "Smash Hits" and "Q" magazine among others, to the 1973 tour with The Rolling Stones, which led to a long-standing working relationship with the band, Putland shot prodigiously including for several major record labels: CBS, Warner, Elektra, Polydor, Columbia Records and EMI. Upon relocating to New York in 1977, Putland founded the photo agency Retna with his long-term business partner and friend, Julie Grahame, which became one of the most comprehensive and respected music and celebrity image libraries in the world, with offices in New York and London. Music photography took Putland around the globe touring with acts as diverse as George Michael in Australia and Japan, The Cure in Brazil, Eric Clapton in the United States, and The Rolling Stones in the United States and Europe, as well as to the homes of artists including David Bowie, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Roger Daltry, Jeff Beck, Billy Joel, Keith Richards and Robert Plant. The last 10 years of Putland’s life were busy with a series of exhibitions that included Getty Gallery’s 50-year retrospective in 2014. Ono Arte in Bologna, Italy, hosted "Bowie before Ziggy" in 2016 and "Glad to be Glam" in 2018. Elliott Halls in Amsterdam curated "It’s been a fantastic ride" in 2018, and The Lucy Bell Gallery in Hastings, England, exhibited "Off The Record" in 2017 and "The Music I Saw" in 2019. In his later years, Putland continued to shoot the artists he admired and the music he loved, including jazz, classical and world musicians who provided an alternative to his rock music portfolio. The year 2017 saw Putland shooting the largest gig of his life, from a helicopter circling the crowd of 225,000 fans of the Italian rock giant, Vasco Rossi, at Modena Park in Italy— a world record for a ticketed concert. The year 2019 brought the launch of his 350-page book "The Music I Saw," with exhibitions and signings at Paul Smith shops in London and New York. In June of that year Putland was still doing what he loved, working with a team he respected, shooting at the vast San Siro stadium in Milan. He died at home after a short illness on November 18, 2019.
to
39
1
6
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
46
4
29
7
39
5
25
20
1
43
31
19
18
15
13
13
12
9
8
7
6
6
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
38
5
5
1
1
46
7,766
4,996
2,504
1,289
5
38
41
5
Artist: Michael Putland
Billy Joel 1978
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Billy Joel Billy Joel in concert New York, USA 1978 Billy Joel is a celebrated American singer-songwriter and pianist known for his timeless hits like "Piano Man...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Who Pete Townshend 1981
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland The Who Pete Townshend Pete Townshend of The Who leaping on stage during 1981 UK Tour Pete Townshend is the innovative guitarist an...
Category

1980s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

David Bowie 1972
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland David Bowie David Bowie at his home Haddon Hall, Beckenham, Kent, UK 1972 David Bowie was a visionary British singer, songwriter, and actor known for his eclecti...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Keith Richards Rolling Stones 1978
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Keith Richards Rolling Stones Keith Richards by a barn door at his home in Upstate New York after his famous drug arre...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Bob, Mick and Pete, 1978 - Oversize Limited Estate Edition
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
Bob, Mick and Pete, by Michael Putland, 1978 Limited Estate Edition Bob Marley, Mick Jagger and Peter Tosh backstage after the Rolling Stones concert at the Palladium Theatre, New Y...
Category

20th Century Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Black and White, Silver Gelatin

Prince 1986
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Prince Prince performs at small London club gig after show at Wembley Arena, London 1986 Limited edition Estate print. Edition 20 only this size. Limited edi...
Category

1980s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Who Pete Townshend 1979
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland The Who Pete Townshend Pete Townshend of The Who,Madison Square Garden, New York 1979 Pete Townshend is the innovative guitarist an...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Who - Pete Townshend 1979 - Limited Edition Estate print
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
Pete Townshend of the Who Madison Square Garden New York 1979 Large limited Estate edition (ed size 50 only this size) silver gelatin print. numbered and signed by the Estate on reverse stamped with blond embossed Archive stamp on front paper size 20x16" inches / 51 x 31 cm Certificate of authenticity supplied. unframed Framing available on request Ships securely from London England OTHER SIZES AVAILABLE pls enquire About Michael Putland the photographer : Born in 1947, Michael grew up in Harrow where he took his first pictures at the age of nine before leaving school at sixteen to work as an assistant to various photographers including Time-Life photographer, Walter Curtain and the legendary motor racing photographer, Louis Klemantaski. In 1969 he set up his own studio and by 1971, he was the official photographer for the British music magazine Disc & Music Echo. His first assignment for them that year was to photograph Mick Jagger in London. From the editorial work for Disc and Music Echo, Sounds and later Smash Hits & Q magazine amongst others, to the 1973 tour with The Rolling Stones that led to a long-standing relationship working with the band, Michael has shot prodigiously including for major record labels including CBS, Warner, Elektra, Polydor, Columbia Records and EMI. Relocating to New York in 1977, it was here that Michael founded the photo agency, Retna. It has been said that Michael photographed everyone from Abba to Zappa … when looking at his archive this is actually true. Now living in East Sussex, recent 2016 exhibitions include “Off The Record” at The Lucy Bell Gallery in Hastings showing images both on and off stage including previously unseen contact sheets; whilst Ono Arte in Bologna, Italy is hosting a David Bowie show. Autumn 2014 saw Michael’s 50 year retrospective at the Getty Gallery...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

John Lennon 1971
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland John Lennon John Lennon at home in the white room, Ascot, UK July 1971 John Lennon was a legendary British musician, songwriter, and peace activist, best known a...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Who - Pete Townshend 1979 -Limited Estate Edition Oversize
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
Pete Townshend of the Who Madison Square Garden New York 1979 Large Oversize limited Estate edition (ed size 15 only this size) silver gelatin print. numbered and signed by the Estate on reverse stamped with blond embossed Archive stamp on front paper size 40x30" inches / 101 x 76 cm Certificate of authenticity supplied. unframed Framing available on request Ships securely from London England OTHER SIZES AVAILABLE pls enquire About Michael Putland the photographer : Born in 1947, Michael grew up in Harrow where he took his first pictures at the age of nine before leaving school at sixteen to work as an assistant to various photographers including Time-Life photographer, Walter Curtain and the legendary motor racing photographer, Louis Klemantaski. In 1969 he set up his own studio and by 1971, he was the official photographer for the British music magazine Disc & Music Echo. His first assignment for them that year was to photograph Mick Jagger in London. From the editorial work for Disc and Music Echo, Sounds and later Smash Hits & Q magazine amongst others, to the 1973 tour with The Rolling Stones that led to a long-standing relationship working with the band, Michael has shot prodigiously including for major record labels including CBS, Warner, Elektra, Polydor, Columbia Records and EMI. Relocating to New York in 1977, it was here that Michael founded the photo agency, Retna. It has been said that Michael photographed everyone from Abba to Zappa … when looking at his archive this is actually true. Now living in East Sussex, recent 2016 exhibitions include “Off The Record” at The Lucy Bell Gallery in Hastings showing images both on and off stage including previously unseen contact sheets; whilst Ono Arte in Bologna, Italy is hosting a David Bowie show. Autumn 2014 saw Michael’s 50 year retrospective at the Getty Gallery in London: “A life in Music, 50 Years On The Road”. Snap Gallery in London’s Piccadilly Arcade regularly have a selection of Michael’s work on show. Michael continues to shoot the artists he most admires – likely to be jazz, classical and world musicians, who have always provided an alternative narrative to his rock music portfolio. “It has been a fantastic ride through an incredible period of music history, which combined my two great loves … music and photography. Little did I appreciate, when my Uncle Alan encouraged my photography back in the 1950s, that this would lead me to photographing nearly all of my heroes … and thrilled to be still finding new ones. A great never ending journey.” Michael Putland About The Who : Few rock & roll bands were riddled with as many contradictions as the Who. All four members had wildly different personalities, as their notorious live performances demonstrated: Keith Moon fell over his drum kit while Pete Townshend leaped into the air with his guitar, spinning his right hand in exaggerated windmills. Vocalist Roger Daltrey prowled the stage as bassist John...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Bob, Mick and Pete, 1978 - Oversize Limited Estate Edition
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
Bob, Mick and Pete, by Michael Putland, 1978 Limited Estate Edition Bob Marley, Mick Jagger and Peter Tosh backstage after the Rolling Stones concert at the Palladium Theatre, New Y...
Category

20th Century Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Black and White, Silver Gelatin

Leonard Cohen 1974
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Leonard Cohen London 1974 Leonard Cohen was a renowned Canadian singer-songwriter and poet, celebrated for his deep, haunting voice and profound lyrics that delv...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Mick Jagger 1973
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Mick Jagger Mick Jagger performing 'Jumping Jack Flash' with water & rose petals during European Tour, Berlin 1973 Mick Jagger is the iconic lead singer of The R...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

"Jimi Hendrix" framed photograph by Michael Putland from the original Hard Rock
By Michael Putland
Located in Boca Raton, FL
"Jimi Hendrix" framed black and white photograph by Michael Putland of Jimi Hendrix at the July 6, 1968, Woburn Music Festival in England. Image size: 19 1/2 x 15 1/4 inches. This p...
Category

1960s Contemporary Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin 1975
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin Jimmy Page performs at Earls Court, London 1975 Jimmy Page is the legendary guitarist and founding member of Led Zeppelin, renowned fo...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Bryan Ferry 1975 Limited Edition Estate Print
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Bryan Ferry Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music with the “Roxettes” London 1975 Bryan Ferry is a British singer-songwriter and frontman of the band Roxy Music, renowned fo...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

C Print

David Gilmour 1989
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland David Gilmour David Gilmore recording for the Armenian Earthquake Appeal, 1989 David Gilmour is the renowned guitarist and vocalist of Pink Floyd, celebrated for...
Category

1980s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Keith Richards 1982
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Leonard Cohen London 1974 Leonard Cohen was a renowned Canadian singer-songwriter and poet, celebrated for his deep, haunting voice and profound lyrics that delv...
Category

1980s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Elton John, Marc Bolan & Ringo Starr 1973
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Elton John, Marc Bolan & Ringo Starr Elton John, Marc Bolan of T-Rex and Ringo Starr at a party after the premiere of 'Born to Boogie' Marc's film directed by Rin...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

John Lennon and Yono Oko 1971
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland John Lennon and Yoko Ono 1971 John Lennon and Yoko Ono were a groundbreaking artistic couple known for their influential contributions to music and art, with Len...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Ladies Tea Party 1980
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Ladies Tea Party Ladies Tea Party – Debbie Harry of Blondie, Viv Albertine of The Slits, Siouxsie Sioux, Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders...
Category

1980s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones 1974
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones Keith Richards being interviewed at Atlantic Records, London 1974 Keith Richards is the legendary guitarist of The Rolling S...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Carly Simon 1972
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Carly Simon Carly Simon, London 1972she kissed my cheek, I did not wash for a week! Carly Simon is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter known for her introspe...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Bob Marley 1975
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Bob Marley Bob Marley at the Island Records office, London, July 1975. Bob Marley was a legendary Jamaican singer, songwriter, and global icon known for populari...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Donna Summer 1979
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
Donna Summer performing, USA 19 November 1979 Donna Summer was a legendary American singer-songwriter known as the "Queen of Disco," celebrated for her powerful vocals and iconic hi...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Queen 1973 - Limited Estate Print
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Queen Queen – Roger Taylor, Freddie Mercury, Brian May, and John DeaconLondon 1973 Queen is a legendary British rock band known for their theatrical performances...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

New Barbarians - Keith Richards & Ronnie Wood 1979
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland New Barbarians – Keith Richards & Ronnie Wood Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood (of the Rolling Stones) being interviewed to promote their band the New Barbarians, N...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Bob, Mick and Pete 1978
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Bob, Mick and Pete Bob Marley, Mick Jagger and Peter Tosh backstage after Rolling Stones concert at the Palladium Theatre, New York 1978 Bob Marley, Mick Jagger,...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

George Michael 1987
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland George Michael London 1987 George Michael was a British pop superstar known for his powerful voice, songwriting talent, and hits like "Faith" and "Careless Whisp...
Category

1980s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Bruce Springsteen 1975 Limited Edition Estate Print
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen playing with the E Street Band, Hammersmith Odeon, London 1975 Bruce Springsteen is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter k...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Black and White, Archival Pigment

Led Zeppelin, 1977 Limited Estate Print
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin performing at Madison Square Garden, New York, USA 1977Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham hidden behind the drum...
Category

1970s Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver

Siouxsie Sioux 1980
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Siouxsie Sioux Siouxsie Sioux, London 1980 Siouxsie Sioux is a pioneering English singer, songwriter, and frontwoman of Siouxsie and the Banshees, renowned for h...
Category

1980s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Tom Waits on Portobello Road, 1976 Limited Estate Print
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Tom Waits on Portobello Road Tom Waits walking on Portobello Road, London, 1976 Tom Waits is an iconic American singer-songwriter known for his gravelly voice, e...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Marc Bolan T Rex Timeless - Estate Print
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
Marc Bolan of T Rex at Le Chateux recording studio France 1972 Large Oversize limited edition (ed size 20 only this size) and signed silver gelatin print....
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Marc Bolan, 1972
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Marc Bolan Marc Bolan of T-Rex at Le Chateux recording studio France 1972 Marc Bolan was an influential British singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known as ...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Bob, Mick and Pete, 1978 - Oversize Limited Estate Edition
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
Bob, Mick and Pete, by Michael Putland, 1978 Limited Estate Edition Bob Marley, Mick Jagger and Peter Tosh backstage after the Rolling Stones concert at the Palladium Theatre, New Y...
Category

20th Century Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Black and White, Silver Gelatin

David Bowie 1976
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland David Bowie David Bowie in concert on The Thin White Duke Tour, Wembley, London 1976 David Bowie was a visionary British singer, songwriter, and actor known for ...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Angus Young AC/DC 1976
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Angus Young AC/DC Angus Young of AC/DC London, 1976 shoot was later used for album sleeve cover Angus Young is the electrifying lead guitarist of AC/DC, recogniz...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Mick Jagger 1972
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Mick Jagger Mick Jagger drinking tea, Cardiff, Wales 1972 Mick Jagger is the iconic lead singer of The Rolling Stones, celebrated for his electrifying stage pres...
Category

1970s Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Bob, Mick and Pete, 1978 - Oversize Estate Edition
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
Bob, Mick and Pete, by Michael Putland, 1978 Limited Estate Edition Bob Marley, Mick Jagger and Peter Tosh backstage after the Rolling Stones concert at th...
Category

20th Century Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Black and White, Silver Gelatin

Bob, Mick and Pete, 1978 - Oversize Estate Edition
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
Bob, Mick and Pete, by Michael Putland, 1978 Limited Estate Edition Bob Marley, Mick Jagger and Peter Tosh backstage after the Rolling Stones concert...
Category

20th Century Modern Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Black and White

Bruce Springsteen Limited Edition
By Michael Putland
Located in London, GB
© Michael Putland Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen performs on stage with Clarence Clemons of the E Street Band at the Hammersmith Odeon in London...
Category

1970s Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Black and White, Silver Gelatin

"Jimi Hendrix" framed photograph from Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
By Michael Putland
Located in Boca Raton, FL
"Jimi Hendrix" framed black and white photograph by Michael Putland. Image size: 19 1/4 x 15 1/4 inches. This photo was previously displayed in a guest room of the original Hard Rock...
Category

20th Century Contemporary Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

"Jimi at Woburn Festival 1968" framed B&W photograph by Michael Putland
By Michael Putland
Located in Boca Raton, FL
"Jimi at Woburn Festival 1968" framed black and white photograph by Michael Putland of Jimi Hendrix at the July 6, 1968, Woburn Music Festival in England. "Jimi at Woburn Festival 1...
Category

1960s Contemporary Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

"Jimi at Woburn Festival 1968" framed photograph by Michael Putland
By Michael Putland
Located in Boca Raton, FL
"Jimi at Woburn Festival 1968" framed black and white photograph by Michael Putland of Jimi Hendrix at the July 6, 1968, Woburn Music Festival in England. "Jim at Woburn Festival 19...
Category

1960s Contemporary Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

"Jimi at Woburn Festival 1968" framed B&W photograph by Michael Putland
By Michael Putland
Located in Boca Raton, FL
"Jimi at Woburn Festival 1968" framed black and white photograph by Michael Putland of Jimi Hendrix at the July 6, 1968, Woburn Music Festival in England. "Jimi at Woburn Festival 19...
Category

1960s Contemporary Michael Putland Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Michael Putland photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Michael Putland photography available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Michael Putland in silver gelatin print, paper, photographic paper and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Michael Putland photography, so small editions measuring 20 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of David Steen, Reg Lancaster, and Chalkie Davies. Michael Putland photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,050 and tops out at $4,500, while the average work can sell for $3,000.

Recently Viewed

View All