Dutch photographer and filmmaker Anton Corbijn has become one of the most iconic visual chroniclers of rock music, despite speaking barely three words of English when he first arrived in London during the height of the punk explosion. His black-and-white portraits of legendary musicians like Mick Jagger, Ian Curtis, U2, and Depeche Mode have achieved mythical status in the world of rock photography.
Corbijn's journey began when he boldly pushed through the doors of the legendary weekly magazine New Musical Express, which had been covering the rock scene since the 1950s. Once inside, he essentially never left, quickly establishing himself as one of the publication's most valued contributors. His unique visual style and ability to capture the essence of rock stars made him an indispensable part of the music journalism landscape.
The photographer's work rapidly evolved beyond magazine spreads to become iconic album covers, most notably his collaborations with U2 starting with their albums 'War' and 'The Joshua Tree.' These striking black-and-white images helped define the band's visual identity during their most commercially successful period. Corbijn's artistic vision perfectly complemented the band's sound, creating a synergy between music and visual art that became legendary.
Corbijn's influence extended into the realm of music videos, where he created a multitude of clips for various artists. His most significant partnership was with electronic music pioneers Depeche Mode, for whom he directed so many music videos that he was often referred to as 'the fourth member of the group.' This close collaboration helped shape the band's dark, atmospheric visual aesthetic that perfectly matched their electronic soundscapes.
In 2007, Corbijn transitioned into feature filmmaking with remarkable success, directing 'Control,' a biographical film that stands out as one of the rare high-quality rock biopics ever made. Many critics consider it possibly the best film of its genre, demonstrating Corbijn's ability to translate his photographic sensibilities into compelling cinematic storytelling. The film showcased his deep understanding of music culture and his ability to capture the human drama behind the rock star persona.
