Terry O’Neill: the stories behind six iconic photographs

“I was asked to cover Nelson Mandela’s 90th Birthday Celebration in London, which culminated in a concert at Hyde Park. Everyone was there and by that, I mean everyone – presidents, former presidents, rock stars, media stars – Oprah to Bill Clinton! But no one was more magnetic than Nelson Mandela. It was an absolute honour, an honour of a lifetime, to work with him. I’ll be honest, when we were saying good-bye and he turned around to smile at me and he gave me a little wave, I teared-up. What a privilege.”

“By the time I started working with Elton John, the papers and magazines were always asking me if I knew who would be the ‘next big music star’. I worked with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones very early in their careers, and the papers always sold out when photos of the bands ran. I was in America, I think, when I first heard Elton on the radio in the early 1970s. I thought – wow – what talent! I had no idea that he was British. I tracked him down in London and took some portraits – and not one single magazine or newspaper was interested. Finally, British Vogue ran one of my pics. And sure enough, soon after, Elton John’s music was everywhere.

Back in 1975, when I worked with Elton for his famed two career-defining shows at Dodger Stadium, there was no one bigger in the world. Numerous number one albums and a sold-out world-wide tour – he was at the top. And he’s stayed at the top ever since. Elton allowed me full access to record these moments with my camera – on stage, at home, in the office, in the recording studio, we even went to see his beloved Watford FC play. I was really honoured to be let into his circle and consider him not only a dear friend, but an absolute genius.”

“I knew Sharon through mutual friends in London and LA. She was stunning – a natural beauty. Even without a lick of make-up, she just lit up. I took a few portraits of Sharon with Roman, but I never really knew them as a couple. It is difficult for me to think back to that horrible, horrible time in LA. She called me and invited me over that night in fact. I was supposed to be there. But I didn’t want to do the long drive.”

“Sean was my first Bond. At the time, motion picture studios would work with photographers such as myself in order to release images to the press. This was great media for the movies. I am sure I was on the set of From Russia to Love, but for the life of me, I cannot find those negatives. I then went on to work on several Bond films. In between takes, Sean and I would sometimes just walk around. One time, we were in Las Vegas on the set of Diamonds are Forever [when this photo was taken]. Sean was dressed as Bond – white tux, the whole get-up. And we took a walk around a casino. Heads were turning! We had a great time.”

"I was asked by Ringo to come along and take photos of his wedding to Barbara Bach. The afterparty, or reception, was at the London club Rags. It was during the reception that Paul jumped on the piano. I love this shot – and looking back now at everything I’ve seen or heard – it’s incredible to think that I was that close to Paul McCartney, celebrating with his old bandmate. George [Harrison] was there, too. And that’s Linda on the left. We all had a great time."

This month, Iconic Images Gallery is presenting Terry O’Neill – Rare And Unseen. One of the greatest living photographers, O’Neill has selected a range of images from his extensive archive of vintage prints, which will be exhibited exclusively at the gallery in Chelsea from 9 November to 15 January 2019 to coincide with the book of the same name published by ACC Art Books.