Brian Griffin, the iconic Depeche Mode photographer, dies aged 75
Depeche Mode photographer Brian Griffin
The UK mourns the loss of Brian Griffin, a trailblazing British photographer who passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 29, 2024, at the age of 75. Born on April 13, 1948, Griffin carved a niche in photography with his distinctive portraits of 1980s pop musicians, earning him the title of “photographer of the decade” from The Guardian in 1989. His influential work now graces the permanent collections of esteemed institutions like the Arts Council, British Council, Victoria and Albert Museum, and National Portrait Gallery in London.
Griffin’s lens captured iconic images of music legends including Siouxsie Sioux, Kate Bush, Depeche Mode, Ultravox, R.E.M., Billy Idol, Iggy Pop, Ringo Starr, Queen, and Peter Gabriel. His collaboration with Depeche Mode notably shaped their visual identity in the early 1980s. He created compelling record covers that captivated audiences even before they listened to the music.
One of his most celebrated works is a record cover for Depeche Mode’s “A Broken Frame”, which, at the decisive moment, he captured with precision. This iconic photo was later acclaimed as the best photo of the 1980s by LIFE magazine. Griffin also ventured into video production, directing the mystical music video for Depeche Mode’s “Only When I Lose Myself”. His artistic contributions were recently compiled in the Depeche Mode book “Mode”.
Our readers will particularly remember Griffin for his significant impact on Depeche Mode’s image and style. Last year, we had the privilege of interviewing Brian Griffin, where he shared insights into his illustrious career.
For more on Depeche Mode, see Depeche Mode collaborates with Hublot for a special watch on Side-Line.
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Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!
