Gered Mankowitz: the man who photographed rock stars – in pictures

The Yardbirds, 1966 “This session captures the band with both Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck, who many considered to be the finest British rock guitarists of this time. I shot this just outside my studio and it was pure luck that in the background you can see the symbol of the British establishment striding past wearing his bowler hat, snapped between the legs of singer Keith Relf.” Photograph: Gered Mankowitz/Goodman Books

Richard and Linda Thompson, Sunnyvista cover, 1979 “Richard and Linda were well established by the time I shot the cover for their 1979 album Sunnyvista, which was more a cynical collection of songs than previous work and we wanted to reflect that cover by shooting it on a rather disturbing housing estate in north-west London.” Photograph: Gered Mankowitz/Goodman Books

Kate Bush, 1978 “When I first heard Kate’s single Wuthering Heights I knew that her record company needed a really strong portrait to support this strange and enchanting music. Her interest in dance inspired me to suggest that she wear dancers’ practise gear and she looked wonderful! She was frenetic and exhausting to work with but endlessly rewarding!” Photograph: Gered Mankowitz/Goodman Books

Annie Lennox for The Tourists’ Reality Effect, 1979 “The Tourists had just had their biggest UK chart success with the Dusty Springfield song I Only Want To Be With You and Annie Lennox was the talk of the town, with her amazing chameleon looks and extraordinary voice. They were a very creative unit and the session was frenetic and productive. The cover for their second album, Reality Effect, was a little different. The idea was really simple – I built a dining room set where everything was pure white and the band would wear white outfits in individual styles. They would then slowly add colour from bottles of non-toxic kids’ paint in a controlled way. Unfortunately Peet and Eddie had taken a tab of acid and forgot my instructions, hurling the paint quite randomly across the set and the other members of the band ... As it happens, the Jackson Pollock madness was far more interesting than the original concept!” Photograph: Gered Mankowitz/Goodman Books

Ride, Carnival of Light, 1994 “This session was for the cover of the band’s Carnival of Light album, which is much favoured by their fans. They all loved my Rolling Stones Between The Buttons cover and the fact that it was done after an all-night recording session, so we decided to stay up all night and shoot until the dawn. Photograph: Gered Mankowitz/Goodman Books

The Jimi Hendrix Experience, 1967 “Although I briefly met Jimi shortly after he arrived in London at the end of 1966, he didn’t come to my studio until February in 1967. He had tremendous power and charisma and took to the fashions of the day like a duck to water! He was charming, modest, quiet and funny and a joy to work with, allowing me that wonderful moment of access which makes a great portrait. The second session a few weeks later was primarily to get fresh shots with the band as they had had their hair permed to give them an ‘afro’ look ... ” Photograph: Gered Mankowitz/Goodman Books

Mick Jagger, 1966 “I was so lucky that Andrew Loog Oldham decided to give me a chance to work with the Stones in 1965. The mid-60s period was the peak of the band’s original success and I was there to share a great deal of it with them, including an amazing US tour at the end of 65, and the excitement of the Between the Buttons session at the end of 1966. My association with the band consolidated my career and I will be forever grateful!” Photograph: Gered Mankowitz/Goodman Books

Haysi Fantayzee, 1982 ‘Haysi Fantayzee had scored a big hit in 1982 and had built up a considerable fan base as well as generating a lot of media interest. They were famous for their garish and avant-garde fashions and Kate had become a bit of an alternative sex symbol. When they first arrived they were very odd and completely unable to communicate and might have been totally stoned, although it could just as easily have been some sort of ‘pose’... Jeremy appeared to be entirely incapable of anything, but they actually managed to dance rather well in a strange and slightly tribal manner and I thought the shoot was rather successful, making magazine covers all over the world. Kate now lives in Los Angeles and is an excellent photographer." Photograph: Gered Mankowitz/Goodman Books

Donovan, Donovan File, 1977 “Donovan was one of the most influential voices of the 60s British scene and I had been acquainted with him since the mid-60s, but didn’t get to work with him until he made this album, which was called Donovan File and saw him working with Mickie Most again. Mickie had been involved with all the most important records Donovan had recorded in the 60s, and had started his RAK label, which I had worked with throughout the 70s. Donovan was always charming and had brought one of his daughters to the session, so we got her into a few of the shots!” Photograph: Gered Mankowitz/Goodman Books

Oasis, Mojo magazine, 1994 “Mojo magazine asked me to photograph Oasis for the cover. I thought they were a bit like a Beatles/Stones tribute band! I suggested that I did a new version of my famous Stones Primrose Hill session and the magazine liked the idea. When the band arrived at the studio they were in a foul mood and Noel stormed in and immediately flung himself on to a couch and fell asleep without a word to anybody. Meanwhile Liam had decided to kick anything he could, including the furniture, doors and walls, before settling down in the kitchen to drink and smoke. Fortunately I knew their tour manager, and after about an hour he was able to get them in front of the camera. Once the guys saw the first Polaroid they were completely on my side and we had a great session, but for a while it was touch and go!” Photograph: Gered Mankowitz/Goodman Books

Credit: Gered Mankovitz: 50 Years of Rock and Roll Photography is published by Goodman, £30, on 2 September. Click here to buy from Guardian Books with a £6 discount. Photographs from the book with be exhibited at Snap Galleries, London SW1, 14 September-2 November Photograph: Goodman Books