Legendary rock music photographer Jill Furmanovsky was honoured with the ICON Award at the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards 2024. In a surprise appearance, Noel Gallagher presented the award on October 3rd, calling Jill “one of my best friends” and “the best ever” in the field of music photography.
The Oasis star, who has been photographed by Furmanovsky throughout their 30-year friendship, described her as “a very, very dear friend of mine.” Speaking on stage at Abbey Road Studios, he said, “It’s been an honour to have been associated with her for 30 years. I can only say that she is as lovely as she seems, she’s one of my best friends, and I adore her.”
Furmanovsky, visibly moved, admitted to being “so overwhelmed” by the recognition, especially as she hadn’t known Noel would be presenting the prize. Reflecting on her career, she mentioned that her body of work with Oasis remains one of her proudest achievements.
“I was just the right age to be working with them—I was experienced, I wasn’t intimidated,” she shared. “They were so fantastic. It was a time when they were sort of on a comet, hanging on for dear life, and I felt like I could actually offer something in the way of my experience… they allowed me to be close to them, which was just incredible as a gift.”
Speaking earlier to Sky News, Furmanovsky revealed that she was initially “bemused” when she heard about the Oasis reunion announcement earlier this year, admitting, “There was so much against it… and it just didn’t seem like it was going to happen.”
As for attending the reunion shows? “I couldn’t get tickets,” she laughed. “I tried to… but they’ll let me in, though. They’re going to let me, otherwise I’m going to go to [the Gallaghers’ mum] Peggy.” Joking aside, she confirmed she’d “absolutely” be there to photograph the historic concerts: “I’ve got to do it, haven’t I?”
