Album Cover Research

Album Covers Research

I am now looking at and researching albumin covers of the sixties, mainly because the album I am working with was first released in 1966. (even though it was recorded in the 1930's).

Im going to try to find similarities in the album covers, and take note of how they change as time moves forward. 

To start with, I will look at one of the later 60's, but most iconic album covers of all time..

Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band

Peter Blake, the artist and designer behind the iconic art piece said, " In my mind i was making a piece of art rather than an album cover. It was almost a piece of theatre design." 

That I agree with, it does look like a piece of theatre design..

He went on to say, " I offered the idea that if they had just played a concert in the park, the cover would be a photograph of them with the group who watched the concert.. If we did this using cardboard cutouts, it could be whomever they wanted."

Each Beatle was told to come up with a list of people they most admired. Ringo, being the least pretentious said, " Whoever the others choose is okay with me." 

John Lennons creative mind instantly came up with Adolf Hitler and Gandhi, both were axed, Hitler for obvious reasons and Gandhi because they thought it would lessen their sales in the far east.

George Harrison chose four Indian gurus, and Bob Dylan was an obvious choice as all of the band members worshiped him.

Fred Astaire was Paul's choice, and was chosen to help sell records with his legendary dancing status.

Among many big names, some of the most notable are:

*Sonny Liston (boxer twice defeated by Ali)

*Lewis Carroll (Johns writing hero, based 'I am the Walrus' on Carrol's poem 'The Walrus and the Carpenter')

*Marilyn Monroe

*Oliver and Hardy

*Marlon Brando

*Oscar Wilder

and Albert Einstein 

The most touching tribute however was for former bandmate Stuart Sutcliffe to appear in the shot.

Sutcliffe who John considered his 'best friend' barring Paul, died in 1962 aged just 21 from a head injury and never got to see the success of the band.

The cover was shot by Michael Cooper on March the 30th 1967. In the cover the band members are shown wearing custom made military style outfits made satin. Four wax dummies of the Beatles are shown standing alongside the living members of the band, symbolising the 'old Beatles' sporting mop tops and plane suits. 

The Album cover won the 1967 Grammy award for best album cover, Graphic design.