Abbey Road Studios has announced that renowned music photographer Jill Furmanovsky will be honored with the prestigious ICON Award at the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards (MPAs) 2024. The award ceremony is set to take place at Abbey Road Studios on October 3, 2024.
Furmanovsky, who was the first photographer in residence at Abbey Road Studios from 2017 to 2018, and served on the judging panel for the inaugural MPAs in 2022, follows in the footsteps of previous ICON Award winners such as Eric Johnson (2022) and Henry Diltz (2023).
Expressing her gratitude, Furmanovsky remarked, “It is an honor to be awarded such a prestigious accolade by Abbey Road, a venue that holds a special place in my heart. Photographing some of the greatest musicians in the world, whether on the road, in concert, or recording at iconic locations like Abbey Road Studios, has been a privilege. I am deeply thankful to the MPAs for supporting and promoting the art of music photography for a new generation.”
Over her remarkable 50-year career, Furmanovsky has collaborated with a host of legendary musicians, including Bob Marley, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Sinead O’Connor, Blondie, The Police, Led Zeppelin, The Pretenders, Bob Dylan, Joy Division, Amy Winehouse, and Oasis. Her career began with a notable rock photograph of Paul McCartney taken with a Kodak Instamatic, followed by a role as the official photographer for London’s Rainbow Theatre in 1972. This position launched her career in music photography, leading to assignments for major magazines and weekly music press.
In addition to her numerous accolades, Furmanovsky founded Rockarchive in 1998, a collective inspired by Magnum that focuses on fine-art rock photography and curates exhibitions. Her published works include The Moment: 25 Years of Rock Photography (1995), Oasis – Was There Then: A Photographic Journey (1997), and the recent Oasis: Knebworth: Two Nights That Will Live Forever (2021). She also contributed to the 50th-anniversary book of Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon.
Furmanovsky’s extensive body of work was celebrated in two major retrospectives in 2023-2024: Photographing The Invisible at Manchester Central Library, which attracted over 25,000 visitors, and No Music No Life at Proud Gallery in London. These exhibitions featured acclaimed images, including portraits of Charlie Watts and performances by Chic, Oasis, and Amy Winehouse.
Sally Davies, managing director of Abbey Road Studios, commented, “Jill holds a special place in the heart of rock music photography. Her extraordinary talent has provided us with some of the most iconic images that narrate the Abbey Road story. From capturing Pink Floyd’s sessions in the 1970s to documenting Oasis in the 1990s, her journey with us has been a beautiful carousel of memories. We are thrilled to honor her lifetime contribution with the ICON Award 2024.”
Head judge Rankin added, “Jill Furmanovsky is one of my favorite music photographers of all time. Her exceptional skills and warm personality make her deserving of this award. Her ability to connect with her subjects and her kindness in the music industry are truly remarkable.”
Additionally, Abbey Road Studios has announced that London-based photographer Sam Rockman will return as their photographer in residence for 2024. Rockman, who was a finalist in two categories at the 2023 MPAs, will also serve on this year’s judging panel.
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