Terry O'Neill

Terry O'Neill was born on July 30th, 1938 in the East End of London. His career as a photographer evolved by chance from his original ambition to become a jazz drummer. Leaving school at fourteen and after completing his national service, his ambition was to travel to America to study with the greatest drummers there. Thinking that the best way to travel frequently and inexpensively to the U.S.A would be to get a job as an air steward for BOAC, he applied; however, the airline at the time had no vacancies for stewards but suggested he took a vacancy in their technical photographic unit, which he combined with time at an art school and creating an interest in photojournalism. This led to Terry Oneill embarking on freelance work at London airport where, working with his Agfa Sillette, he looked out for interesting subjects in the passenger terminal.

His first scoop was a photograph of a distinguished looking gentlemen sleeping, which turned out to be R.A.B Butler, the then home secretary for Harold Macmillans government. The picture was bought and appeared on the front page of the Sunday dispatch, leading the editor to offer Terry O'Neill a job as a reportage photographer at Heathrow. This was followed by three years in Fleet Street, with Terry Oneill at twenty-one, making him the youngest photographer in Fleet Street taking pop pictures for the up-tempo Daily Sketch.

One thing led to another and Terry O'Neill quickly became a significant image-maker. He was one of a group of talented young photographers who helped create the photographic icons of the 1960s and the buzz that became Swinging London. The peer group that emerged in this decade alongside Terry O'Neill included David Bailey, Terence Donovan and Brian Duffy from the East End, with Patrick Litchfield and Lewis Morley from different backgrounds.

Terry O'Neill marriage to Faye Dunaway amongst other connections helped contribute to his success and profile internationally, particularly in the U.S.A from the 1970s onwards. Throughout the years he has photographed many great names from the world of celebrity, including Rod Stewart, Bridgitte Bardot, Frank Sinatra, David Bowie, Audrey Hepburn, Clint Eastwood, Sean Connery, Paul Newman, Kate Moss, Elvis Presley and bands such as The Who, The Rolling Stones, U2 and The Beatles. In more recent years, he has taken photographic portraits of the Royal family and Tony Blairs family. He has received commissions from important American based international magazine, Life, while in the U.K his work is frequently seen in the glossy pages of the Sunday Times.

Terry O'Neill, David Bowie backstage before The 1980 Floor Show, 1973

Regular: from £ 2,700.00

Sale: from £ 2,700.00
Regular

Unit Price: per

Terry O'Neill

Terry O'Neill, David Bowie backstage before The 1980 Floor Show, 1973

Terry O'Neill, David Bowie & Mike Garson recording Young Americans, 1974

Terry O'Neill, Claudia Cardinale close up portrait, circa 1970

Terry O'Neill, David Bowie for Diamond Dogs, 1974

Terry O'Neill, Elvis Presley after opening night, 1969

Terry O'Neill, Elvis Presley during his Las Vegas residency, 1969

Terry O'Neill, Luke And Leia for the Star Wars trilogy, 1977

Terry O'Neill, Elvis Presley at The International Hotel, 1969

Terry O'Neill, Elvis Presley performing in Las Vegas, 1969

Terry O'Neill, Elvis Presley during a press conference, 1969

Terry O'Neill, Diana Ross on stage in London, 1973

Terry O'Neill, Bruce Springsteen on The Strip, 1975

Terry O'Neill, Raquel Welch for Daily Mirror magazine, 1966

Terry O'Neill, Raquel Welch filming The Beloved, 1970

Terry O'Neill, Raquel Welch on set in Cyprus, 1970

Terry O'Neill, Raquel Welch in a sweet shop, 1970

Terry O'Neill, Raquel Welch in hair and makeup, 1966

Terry O'Neill, Johan Cruyff sitting in the stands, mid 1970s

Terry O'Neill, Muhammad Ali training for a fight in Dublin, 1972

Terry O'Neill, David Beckham and Bobby Charlton, 1990s

Terry O'Neill, Albert Finney and Audrey Hepburn in St. Tropez, 1967

Terry O'Neill, Muhammad Ali during a training break, 1972

Terry O'Neill, Muhammad Ali training for his fight with Alvin Lewis, 1972

Terry O'Neill, Muhammad Ali training in Ireland, 1972

Terry O'Neill, English actor Roger Moore poses as superspy James Bond for film 'Live and Let Die', directed by Guy Hamilton, 1973.

Terry O'Neill, Roger Moore as James Bond poses as superspy on the film set of 'Live and let die', 1973

Terry O'Neill, Roger Moore as James Bond poses with his weapon of choice, December 1972

Terry O'Neill, Roger Moore as James Bond smoking a cigar in a diner on the film set of 'Live and let die', 1973

Terry O'Neill, Roger Moore as James Bond underwater on the film set of 'Live and let die', 1973

Terry O'Neill, Paul McCartney at a London party, 1964

Terry O'Neill, Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger dressed in a pinstripe suit, 1976

Terry O'Neill, Elton John standing at his piano, 1974

Join us and get nice things