Joe Stevens, Photographer of Rock’s Intimate Moments, Dies at 87

After a career shift, he became a fixture in the music world, capturing enduring images of David Bowie, John Lennon, the Sex Pistols and many others.

Sept. 23, 2025, 5:12 p.m. ET


Joe Stevens, left, with Stiv Bators of the punk band the Dead Boys at CBGB in New York in 1977. Mr. Stevens gave up a career as a road manager to photograph rock musicians. Godlis

Joe Stevens, who, after wearying of a hectic career as a road manager for the Byrds and the Lovin’ Spoonful, transformed into a celebrated rock photographer who chronicled the golden era of amplified rebellion from Woodstock to the Sex Pistols and beyond, died on Aug. 26 in Concord, N.H. He was 87. ... His death, at a skilled nursing facility, was confirmed by Jane Tyska, a friend and fellow photojournalist who was his caretaker.

A wry, low-key New Yorker, Mr. Stevens moved naturally — sometimes seemingly invisibly — in elite rock circles, which helped him capture intimate portraits of stars at unguarded moments backstage, in hotel rooms or in smoky nightclubs.

“At some post-gig party or music business reception, you would suddenly realize that Joe had been tucked away behind a pillar for most of the occasion, steadfastly snapping away,” Chris Salewicz, a prominent rock journalist and author, said in an email.

Mr. Salewicz worked with Mr. Stevens at the British music bible New Musical Express, where Mr. Stevens spent much of the 1970s as a staff photographer after moving to London early in the decade.

{snip}

Alex Williams is a Times reporter on the Obituaries desk.