Photographer Michael Putland died.

November 20, 2019

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Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 London 1972

Michael Putland, who left school at age 16 to work as an assistant to various photographers, and ultimately photographed everyone from Abba to Zappa, died today (Nov. 19), according to numerous internet reports from several of his colleagues. Putland, who had prostate cancer, was 72. His death was confirmed by Lucy Bell, a prominent gallery owner who recently opened an exhibit of his work.

Putland’s work included intimate shoots with artists at their homes: David Bowie painting his ceiling at Haddon Hall, John Lennon and Yoko Ono in the White Room at Tittenhurst Park, Roger Daltrey in his kitchen, Jeff Beck with his hot rod cars, Billy Joel by the fire in Putland’s own apartment, Keith Richards at his Upstate New York farmhouse, Robert Plant at home in Wales… and in the recording studio with Paul McCartney, Stephen Stills, Marc Bolan, Yes and David Gilmour.

He moved to New York and established Retna in 1977, which became one of the largest independent photo agencies in the world. In 2019, when the company was acquired by Globe Photos, its assets included more than 750,000 negatives and 250,000 vintage prints of celebrities and pop culture icons, along with fashion and event images from the 60s to early 80s. Its library includes rare early photos of the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, Elton John, David Bowie, Abba, Kiss, Bruce Springsteen and hundreds of other major recording artists, as well as fashion models and other celebrities and icons.

Putland photographed Michael and his brothers on numerous time during the 70’s and beginning of the 80’s.

In 2018, Putland published a book, The Music I Saw. In this book you can find the story behind few of the photo shoots done with Michael Jackson and his brothers.

Michael Jackson New York 1976
Michael Jackson at his house in New York 1976
Michael jackson in concert with the Jackson 5 London November 1972
Michael jackson at Jacksons London November 1972
Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 London 1972

An exhibition of his work, also called The Music I Saw, opened on Nov. 16 at the Lucy Bell Gallery in East Sussex, U.K., where it continues through January 16, 2020.