The Nico Van Der Stam Archives
Nico van der Stam’s photographs of Syd Barrett’s The Pink Floyd from 1967 are nothing short of iconic. Yet, few in the Netherlands—and even fewer abroad—connect these stunning images with the man behind the lens. Van der Stam, born in Rotterdam in 1925, captured the band in Amsterdam in April 1967 and again in London two months later. Initially focused on documenting everyday city life and the vibrant local jazz scene, Van der Stam soon turned his attention to the burgeoning pop music movement. He photographed legends like Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, The Mothers of Invention, The Doors, Cream, Janis Joplin, The Kinks, The Supremes, and, of course, The Pink Floyd. Frequently, he was found in recording studios, snapping shots of rehearsals and live recordings, which he would then sell to radio and television broadcasters.
The few Pink Floyd images previously published—typically in a square format and often in color—are just a small selection from Van der Stam’s vast archive, which contains over a million negatives.
For PINK FLOYD – THE NICO VAN DER STAM ARCHIVES, Charles Beterams has carefully sifted through this treasure trove, uncovering and cataloging Van der Stam’s breathtaking work. A wealth of newly discovered transparencies and negatives—starting with those legendary 1967 sessions—have been scanned, retouched, and are being presented for the first time ever.
In addition to his early work with Pink Floyd, Van der Stam also captured the band during their 1969 and 1970 concerts at Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw.
By the time Pink Floyd played at Rotterdam Ahoy’ in 1971, Van der Stam had stepped away from concert photography, handing the reins to his assistant, Govert de Roos. De Roos, who would go on to become a celebrated photographer in his own right, graciously provides the foreword to this book. Many of the images from these three performances are being made available to the public for the first time.
PINK FLOYD – THE NICO VAN DER STAM ARCHIVES is not just a tribute to a unique press agency; it offers an extraordinary and previously unseen glimpse into the defining years of one of rock’s most legendary bands.
ISBN: 978-90-831514-2-7
