As part of the Golden Anniversary of the iconic film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, photographer Mick Rock releases an image-laden, perfect-for-the-coffee-table homage in Rocky Horror: A Behind the Scenes Look at the Cult Classic. Being on set throughout the full production, Rock gives Rocky Horror fans 256 pages of never-before-seen images of the cast having (what looks like) the time of their lives together.
From promo shoots to snaps from the sidelines, this book brings the film to life like never before.
Known for not just breaking away from social norms, but defiantly flaunting sexual taboos in the face of convention, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is as much a historical turning point as it is art. Sure, sexual liberation was brought to the forefront a decade prior with the hippie movement in America, but the acceptance of transgender persons and alternative lifestyles is still a contentious issue to this day. Not in the world of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, though. Once inside his castle walls, the outcasts reign supreme, with Tim Curry in fabulous drag at the center, accepting of all things odd and enigmatic. As you can imagine, this didn’t go over too well with audiences in 1975.
Yet, over the years, what was at first a flop at the box office became a cultural phenomenon. Rocky Horror became the quintessential ‘midnight movie’, with live versions letting audiences participate via props, costumes, and more. In fact, Rocky Horror holds the record for the longest running movie screening in film history, grossing nearly $225 million worldwide since its initial release. But that’s what came after; let’s talk the making of… cue up the Time Warp.
Over six weeks of filming, Mick Rock had exclusive access to catalog everything and anything.
Known for his work with David Bowie, Queen, and Blondie, Mick Rock captured the energy of the film — both on and off the set. “I could snap whatever caught my eye, stirred my imagination,” Rock says. Now 50 years after-the-fact, Rock has compiled his photos, his notes, and other memorabilia into a stunning four-color format book, complete with fan quotes from Joan Jett, Billy Corgan, Courtney Love, Juliette Lewis, Peaches, and so many other celebrities aboard the Rocky Horror bandwagon.
Wrapped in a beautiful black sheath with red glitter over the lips of Tim Curry’s iconic character as the cover art, Mick Rock’s book — released via from Harper/Pop on September 20th — details so much more than the film itself; it shows just how impactful a film can be. Page after page reveals thoughts, snapshots, and conversations of cast members, crew, and various other commentators. It even comes with stickers! For any avid fan or cinephile, Rocky Horror: A Behind the Scenes Look at the Cult Classic is an essential addition to your collection. Make sure to grab your copy today via the links below.
Order Rocky Horror: A Behind the Scenes Look at the Cult Classic:
Cover photography by Barnaby Clay
Mick Rock links: Instagram | Facebook | X
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Disclaimer: All views presented in this album review are those of the reviewer and not necessarily those of Top Shelf Music.
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