Gijsbert Hanekroot (b. 1945, Brussels) is one of the most significant European photographers to document the rise of rock music during the 1970s. Beginning his career in the late 1960s, he traveled extensively throughout Europe and beyond, photographing many of the artists who shaped modern popular culture, including David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, Patti Smith, Blondie, Lou Reed, Queen, Neil Young, and Led Zeppelin.
From 1970 to 1975, Hanekroot worked for the influential Dutch music magazine OOR, where his distinctive visual approach helped define a generation of music photography. His work extends beyond concert documentation, encompassing intimate portraits, backstage moments, recording sessions, and press encounters that reveal the personalities behind the public image.
After leaving professional music photography in 1983, Hanekroot pursued a successful career outside the industry before returning decades later to rediscover and digitize his vast archive. This renewed interest led to international exhibitions and publications, introducing his work to a new generation of collectors, institutions, and music enthusiasts.
Today, Gijsbert Hanekroot's archive stands as one of the most comprehensive visual records of the golden age of rock music, preserving a unique period when photographers had unprecedented access to the artists who transformed contemporary culture.
