Photographer David Bailey opens up about some of his most iconic subjects

As one of the most prolific photographers of all time, David Bailey has snapped some of the most famous people in the world – from Mick Jagger to the late Queen Elizabeth.

Now, as he prepares to open a new exhibition in London of his work, Bailey has sat down with Sky News to talk about some of his most iconic pictures of all time.

Bailey, 84, is perhaps best known for his work in the swinging sixties, and has a string of famous photographs – including one of the first snaps of Mick Jagger, before the Rolling Stones had even recorded a song.

Among his other world-famous clients are the likes of Dr Dre, Kate Bush and even The Kray Twins.

But despite his vascular dementia diagnosis in 2018, he remains in top form, telling Sky News: “Maybe if I fall over and go blind I might stop – that would be a sign.

“I am getting older… that doesn’t mean anything. Some people live until they are 90 and do nothing and some people live until 22, and they are like Van Gogh so what, it makes no difference – it’s just the time.”

When asked to summarise his career, he simply told Sky News: “Not over yet.”

On the late Queen Elizabeth II:

“She was nice, she was easy. It was easy, she was sweet… she was very nice.

“I don’t meet many queens, so I don’t know. She was terrific.

On Grace Jones:

“She had an agenda, she wanted to do what she’s going to do.

“She’s alright though.”

On Bob Marley:

“Yeah, I told him to get a haircut.”

On Freddie Mercury:

“Freddie Mercury stung his tongue down my throat – it was a shock, it’s only happened to me twice.

“But thank you, Freddie, I enjoyed it.”

On Miles Davis:

“I think the only thing he did was stick his tongue out – but he didn’t play in my mouth, which was a relief.”

Bailey: Vision and Sound opens on 15 September at 45 Park Lane in London.