Album covers hold a special significance as visual representations of the artistry within. They set the stage for the musical odyssey ahead. Let’s pause to admire ten iconic covers that still speak to listeners.
London Calling by the Clash is celebrated for its energy and defiance. The cover art, featuring Pennie Smith’s striking photograph of bassist Paul Simonon smashing his bass guitar on stage, is a visual depiction of the band’s rebellious spirit. It became an enduring symbol of the punk rock ethos. In fact, that broken guitar currently lives at the Museum of London. Designer Ray Lowry used the same pink and green border design seen on Elvis Presley’s debut album.
With its daring and thought-provoking depiction of a naked baby swimming after a dollar bill, Nirvana’s Nevermind album cover comprises liberation in contrast to the call of the almighty dollar. The image, a compromise between lead singer Kurt Cobain and Geffen Records, played a significant role in the album’s success.
Revolver by the Beatles has an iconic cover that embodies innovation through a psychedelic collage. This daring choice, drawn by the group’s longtime friend Klaus Voorman, mirrors the album’s boundary-pushing music. The cover of this 1966 classic not only captures the album’s essence but challenges artists to redefine the visual representation of their music.
David Bowie’s Aladdin Sane showcases a portrait of the musician adorned with a lightning bolt painted across his face. At the time, Bowie wanted something as memorable as Elvis Presley’s “TCB” (taking care of business) logo; the lightning bolt served. This imagery set a standard for artistic innovation and self-expression. It represented Bowie’s unique style and inspired other artists to use their album covers as a platform for original expression.
With its raw, chaotic aesthetic, the Rolling Stones’ Exile On Main Street cover embodies the outlaw spirit of the songs within the classic double album. Mick Jagger and designer John Van Hamersveld chose the cover photo from a 1958 book of images from documentary photographer Robert Frank. The collage reflects the diverse nature of the tracks.
Queen II showcases the band’s theatrical style, capturing their aesthetic and inviting the audience to immerse themselves in the grandeur of Queen’s music. The album cover, shot by Mick Rock, is a gateway to the majestic world of Queen’s music. It was later used in the video for “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Led Zeppelin’s Houses of the Holy features a cover aligned with the album’s somewhat mystical style. Inspired by Arthur C. Clarke’s novel, Childhood’s End, the photo of several naked children was actually a collage of images shot at Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway. Peru was another location considered for the shoot.
The cover of 1971’s Maggot Brain (Funkadelic) features a close-up that packs a powerful punch. The image, shot by Joel Brodsky, depicts model Barbara Cheeseborough amid a primal scream. “Fear” was a theme running throughout the album and the cover encapsulates that raw intensity.
T. Rex’s 1972 album, The Slider, features a blurry black-and-white shot of singer Marc Bolan in a top hat. It perfectly encapsulates the band’s glam visual aesthetic. The photo was reportedly shot by Ringo Starr at John Lennon’s estate as Starr directed a documentary about the band, Born to Boogie. Producer Tony Visconti has also claimed credit for one of the most iconic album covers ever.
Marvin Gaye’s eleventh studio album, What’s Going On, features a powerful image of the artist. Photographer Jim Hendin shot about 100 photos in Gaye’s backyard. Ultimately, one of the last was selected, taken as it was just beginning to snow. Motown’s art director thought it showed “too much nostril,” but Gaye insisted that was the one. It captures Gaye’s emotional depth and the pressing urgency of the issues he delves into on the album.
These iconic album covers are visual symbols of the music they represent and have become timeless pieces of art.
-Katie Rook
Photo: Fair use image of The Slider
It’s cool that you went with “Revolver” over the more heralded cover of The Beatles following LP, Katie. Many believe that this was the pivotal turning point for the group. And for rock music eternal. I’m among ’em. Eclectic and excellent piece, our friend.
I think that the album itself (UK version) was more iconic than the cover.
What about Roger Dean and his Yes album covers?
So many covers, so little time. Perhaps we’ll do another post on a few more. But yes, those covers were amazing.
One word: Hipgnosis.
The Revolver cover was the second choice. The Beatles, innovative and thinking ahead as usual, came up with the concept of a cover with apparently random shapes and patterns printed on it and a spindle hole so that it could be spun on a turntable and the shapes would morph into a sort of hologram of the Beatles. The vinyl record would also have the same patters printed on it to repeat the effect when the album played. However, the idea was beyond the technology available at the time so they went with the conventional illustration by Klaus Voormann.
I consider the Revolver album (UK 14 track version) to be more iconic than its cover.
I’m lucky enough to own original vinyl copies of eight out of ten of these (and I’ve seen about half of the artists perform). My favorite cover, the T-Rex LP, has been ‘on display’ in the music library for years. As for the other two albums, I did secure CD versions so my ‘collection’ is complete. Ten out of ten!
Ramones first album cover It remains one of the most copied covered EVER (merch)
Original Blind Faith?
Has Ray Lowry ever said why he designed the Clash cover in that style? Apart from using the same pink and green border design seen on Elvis Presley’s debut album, he also used a stark and very physically menacing black and white photo. Was it a tribute to the seismic effect that Elvis had on music in the 50s? The photo of Elvis on that cover, in full flight, was something to behold for a 1950s audience used to vanilla album covers. Perhaps The Clash were announcing that they were intent on ruffling a few establishment feathers in the early Elvis spirit.
Breakfast In America? Iconic.