MOTT THE SNAPPER
A picture may be worth a million words, but in Tony Mott’s case it’s been the means to an end for the most past of his exceptionally colourful life. Universally considered Australia’s greatest rock’n’roll photographer (let’s not mention the fact he’s British) Mott knew he was destined for great things the day he changed his name from Tony Moulds to Mott (inspired by his favourite band Mott The Hoople) and began snapping his favourite artist.
The next instalment in the anthology of Mott’s archives, Rock’n’Roll Photography Is The New Trainspotting is a triumphant work, and an important document of the Australian music landscape over the past couple of decades. As well as featuring candid shots of Aussie greats such as Kylie Minogue and Nick Cave together, plus the quintessential rock’n’roll energy of acts such as Cold Chisel and Midnight Oil, the book also features unique portraits of such international icons as Kurt Cobain, Iggy Pop and Johnny Rotten.
Of the book, Mott says: “It’s kinda nice to know this books really represents the Australian music scene over the past couple of decades – rock’n’roll deserves to be treated seriously. I never set out to be a rock photographer, but I just seemed to have a natural knack for it. A great rock photo needs to be larger than life, but also show you another side of the artist… something that makes them unique.”
Rock’n’Roll Photography Is The New Trainspotting is out now, through Rockpool Publishing.
