Five album covers that have become iconic
Long before downloads and streaming, music was released on records. The art of their covers became just as legendary as the music they contained. Here are five iconic album covers that have made music history.
Prince - Lovesexy
Prince's 1988 album took on God and spirituality, bringing with it three hits: "Alphabet St.," "Glam Slam," and "I Wish You Heaven." The cover photo by Jean Baptiste Mondino was retouched so much that it looks like a painting. Some music shops refused to stock the album because of the nudity on the cover. Prince commented that those who see the picture as sick are sick themselves.
The Beatles - Abbey Road
It's hard to say how many times this iconic photo by Iain MacMillan has been copied. From tourists on Abby Road to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, countless people have had their photo snapped on the famous crosswalk. The photo shot rock and pop photographer MacMillan to international fame - along with the VW Bug in the background. It's now in the Volkswagen Museum in Wolfsburg.
Grace Jones - Island Life
Grace Jones was photographer Jean-Paul Goude's muse. But she wasn't quite as flexible as she appears in this picture. To achieve the perfect photo, Goude created a collage of multiple images. The LP from 1985 includes the hits "La Vie En Rose," "Pull up to the Bumper," "I've Seen That Face Before," and the pop tune "Slave to the Rhythm."
John Coltrane - Blue Train
No jazz collection is complete without this classic. The photo of the legendary saxophonist was taken by the head of the label Blue Note himself: Francis Wolff. The artwork on the famous cover was created by Blue Note's designer Reid Miles. He washed Wolff's photo in blue and added bright block letters. "Blue Train" was released in 1957.
Kraftwerk - Kraftwerk
The beautiful thing about old album covers is that their multiple sides offer plenty of canvas for creative minds. The photographer couple Bernd and Hilla Becher knew the electronic band Kraftwerk in Dusseldorf. In 1970, they released their first unofficial album, "Kraftwerk," which included a prototype of the song "Ruckzuck." The Bechers contributed their talents and got a switchyard involved.