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Michael Andrew Ochs (February 27, 1943 – July 23, 2025) was an American photographic archivist best known for his extensive collection of pictures related to rock music dating back to the 1950s and 1960s. The Michael Ochs Archives, located in Venice, California, contained 3 million vintage prints, proof sheets and negatives which were frequently licensed for use in CD , books, films and documentaries.
The Los Angeles Times called Ochs "America's preeminent rock 'n' roll photo archivist" and described his archive as "the dominant force in the rock image marketplace". The New York Times called it "the premier source of musician photography in the world". Ochs sold the archive to Getty Images in 2007.
Ochs began collecting photographs as a hobby. He would allow friends, including rock critics John Mortland and Lester Bangs, to use the pictures for free to illustrate their articles. Ochs began to take a more professional approach after two incidents. First, the Los Angeles Free Press attributed one of his photos to the "Michael Ochs Archives". Then, Dick Clark sent Ochs an unexpected check for $1,000 after Clark used some of Ochs's pictures on a television special.
In 1984, Ochs published Rock Archives: A Photographic Journey Through the First Two Decades of Rock & Roll, which featured an introduction by Peter Guralnick. Writing in The New York Times, Janet Maslin praised Rock Archives as "an amazingly comprehensive photograph collection" that "offers glimpses of just about everyone seen or heard from during rock's first two decades". According to the Los Angeles Times, Rock Archives "put Ochs's archives on the map".
During the 1980s, Ochs hosted his Archives Alive radio show on KCRW, taught a History of Rock and Roll class at UCLA Extension, and was music coordinator for the films Hollywood Knights (1980); Liar’s Moon (1981); Losin' It (1983); and Christine (1983).
In 1987, 26 years after the death of photographer Ed Feingersh, Ochs discovered several rolls of negatives of Marilyn Monroe by Feingersh. They included a shoot commissioned by Redbook made during the week March 24–30, 1955. They were the only candid images of Monroe made specifically for publication. (2025). 9781442230804, Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781442230804
During the 1990s, as record companies reissued large numbers of CDs, they often turned to Ochs for photographs to include in the liner notes. Ochs' pictures are featured in practically every release by Rhino Records and Bear Family Records.
The archive was also tapped for illustrations for books — according to a 2006 New York Times estimate, about half of the rock and roll books issued at the time included photographs from the collection — and as background photos and research material in the production of documentaries, feature films, and television programs.
In 2003 Ochs and fine artist Craig Cutler curated The Greatest Album Covers That Never Were, an art exhibit of over 100 contemporary artists creating fantasy album covers of their favorite recording artists. The original exhibition featured works by author Kurt Vonnegut, musicians Graham Nash and Marilyn Manson, photographer William Claxton and artists Ralph Steadman and Robbie Conal. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame sponsored the exhibition and this non-profit traveling show premiered at their Cleveland museum continuing on to Seattle's Experience Music Project and assorted universities around the country.
Ochs sold the Michael Ochs Archives to Getty Images for an undisclosed amount in February 2007.
Ochs was one of three producers of the 2010 documentary film . The film features interviews with Phil's family, friends, and associates, as well as archival news footage and photographic stills, including selections from Michael's collection.
Ochs died at his home in Los Angeles, California, on July 23, 2025, at the age pf 82. At the time of his death, he had Parkinson’s disease for five years, as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), kidney and heart issues.
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