Pennie Smith

b.1949
Pennie Smith is a renowned British rock photographer. She attended Twickenham Art school in the late 1960s, studying graphics and fine art. With others, she collaborated in producing Friends magazine from 1969 to 1972. Her first major photographic commission was to cover a 1970s Led Zeppelin tour - at a time when the band was the biggest-selling act in the world. In her career, Smith has photographed some of rock music's icons and legends, including: The Rolling Stones, The Who, Iggy Pop, The Clash, The Jam, Debbie Harry, U2, Morrissey, The Stone Roses, Primal Scream, Manic Street Preachers, Radiohead, Oasis and The Strokes.

Perhaps her most famous photograph is that of The Clash's Paul Simonon smashing his bass guitar on the stage in New York during a 1979 tour. The photograph went on to be used on the cover of London Calling, and received Q magazine's "Greatest Rock'n Roll Photograph of All-Time" award in 2002.

In addition to working for magazines, she also published a best-selling book, The Clash, Before and After.

Presented in association with Raj Prem Fine Art Photography.