Bent Rej

Bent Rej (1940 - January 14, 2016) – at that time a 25 year old photographer at the Danish newspaper “Ekstra Bladet” – was assigned to document the Scandinavian and German leg of The Rolling Stones 1965 European Tour.

He soon became part of the Stones’ entourage and became a close friend of especially Brian Jones. This proximity to the artists led to his becoming part of an exclusive group of photographers that hung out with all of those who helped define this unique musical era. So much has been written about the rebellious music of the sixties – but nothing captures the freedom, recklessness and sex drugs and rock’n roll as the photography.

Bent Rej’s photographs are glimpses of a magical era where music tested its limits and the new genre of rock was in the throes of its birth. Bent’s work not only shows us portraits of legendary rock musicians from the 1960’s, it also represents a rare insight into a musical universe littered with personal memories thanks to his intimate friendships with the artists. His fine sense for visual composition meant that his pictures not only serve as documentation; they are also exceptionally well-composed works of art in their own right.

Bent Rej’s rock photographs have been exhibited internationally. His photos of the The Rolling Stones are included in the collector’s edition – published by TASCHEN.

Bent Rej passed away in 2016, leaving his life’s work of rock photographies, Cuban travels, Pinup-girls and much more for his two daughters Ny and Mumle. They have carried on the legacy and now exhibit and sell his works in collaboration with various galleries.