Bent Rej

Bent Rej was a Danish photographer that found himself in the “right place at the right time” and would go on to document the swirling counterculture movement.

In his early 20s, Rej found work at the Danish newspaper ‘Ekstra Bladet’, where he worked as a photojournalist. The most pivotal moment of his career came in 1965, when, aged 25, he was assigned to document the German leg of The Rolling Stones’ 1965 European tour. He built a rapport with the blossoming British Invasion outfit, especially Brian Jones, and was soon absorbed into the band’s inner circle of associated photographers, media representatives and roadies.

As a close acquaintance of The Rolling Stones, Rej could stretch his artistic legs to capture distinctly personal yet uniquely creative shots of the photogenic group. As well as his behind-the-scenes tour-bus photographs, Rej captured the Stones performing on stage and going about their quotidian domestic lives.

From there, Rej was granted access to the likes of The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Tom Jones and countless others as his reputation began to snowball. During his short stint as a rock photographer, Rej contributed to various publications, most prolifically to the British magazine ‘Fabulous’. Following his disillusionment with the British rock scene, Rej used his experience to pursue an ongoing career in fashion and advertising. His notable material thereafter included a commercial assignment for Fiat in the late 1970s, where he photographed models for the car brand’s annual calendar.

Dipping his toes in advertising, travel and even pin-up models, it would be Rej’s work aiding the expansion of a monumental cultural boom that he will be best remembered for, with a vibrant legacy that should not be overlooked.