Related Articles
The Rocky Horror Picture Show turns 50 years old this year — and a new book is set to bring fans of the film even closer to the action. On Tuesday, HarperPop announced that it’ll release Rocky Horror: A Behind the Scenes Look at the Cult Classic featuring photographs by rock photographer Mick Rock on Sept. 30.
A press release for the upcoming title describes how Rock was able to capture the “enduring legacy” of the film and also the elements of sexual fluidity and campiness of the iconic movie. “I could snap whatever caught my eye, stirred my imagination,” Rock said of his photos from behind the scenes of the movie.
Along with his Rocky Horror Picture Show photography, Rock is known for taking photographs of music legends including David Bowie, Queen, and Blondie. (Rock died in 2021 at 72 years old.)
Richard O’Brien,who wrote the musical stage show in 1973, wrote the foreword for the book. He also co-wrote the film’s screenplay with director Jim Sharman. The foreword sees O’Brien “reflect on the film’s incredible journey to becoming a theatrical staple with the longest-running release in history.” The book was written by journalist and author Tim Mohr, who worked on memoirs with Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses, and Paul Stanley of Kiss. It’s the last book Mohr worked on before his death in March at age 55.
To accompany the photography, the book also includes quotes from fans of the film, including Joan Jett, Billy Corgan, Courtney Love, Juliette Lewis, Duff McKagan, Anna Sui, Karen O, and Peaches. Drag icons Jinkx Monsoon, Trixie Mattel, and Cassandra Peterson (aka Elvira, Mistress of the Dark), also offer their perspectives.
The hardcover version of the book is already available for pre-sale on Amazon, while a digital version is available on Kindle.
