Classic Album Art Showcase

David Arnold - Independence Day: Original Soundtrack Recording (RCA/BMG Classics, 1996) - Art direction by Richard Dombrowski

Jackie Wilson-Shangra-Las-Young Rascals (They were rockin')

Spotlight on Martha Reeves

Let's don't forget James Brown

Rockin' in the U.S.A.

John Mellencamp - R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (A Salute to '60s Rock (Riva, Single, 1986) - Designer and photographer unknown

As heard on Scarecrow.

Love this '60s style picture sleeve. It even boasts the "Stereo" label that appeared on records at the time (stereo was a big deal in the '60s, since almost all music before then was in mono).

As I said before, this was a last-minute addition to the album. Mellencamp intended for it to be a hidden "bonus" track before his manager convinced him to make it part of the main track listing, believing it had commercial potential. Sure enough, it peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100, performing on par with "Hurts So Good".

Gladys Knight & the Pips - Imagination (Buddah, 1973) - Art direction by Glen Christensen, concept by Milton Sincoff, design by Mike Mendel, photograph by Joel Brodsky

Tin Machine - Tin Machine (EMI America, 1989) - Art direction by Roger Gorman, Photograph by Masayoshi Sukita

David Bowie's short-lived group. Lasted for about two studio albums and a live record before unceremoniously splitting up, after which Bowie went straight back to going solo.

Elvin Bishop - Struttin' My Stuff (Warner Bros.-Capricorn, 1975) - Art direction by Diana Kaylan, design by John Kehe and Mick Haggerty, photograph by David Alexander

Thomas Dolby - The Golden Age of Wireless (EMI-Capitol-Harvest, US Release, 1982) - Design by Michael Diehl, illustration by Mark Thomas, photograph by Andrew Douglas

As Capitol wasn't too thrilled with the comic book-style cover for the UK release, they replaced it with this for the US. Dolby attended a production of the play Life of Galileo when this was taken, and this was the set of said play; the cover had been used the year prior for the "Europa and the Pirate Twins" single in the UK.

Once the non-album single "She Blinded Me with Science" was a hit, this cover was ditched in favor of the original cover for the re-release.

Thomas Dolby - The Golden Age of Wireless (EMI-Venice in Peril, UK Cover, 1982) - Design by Andrew Douglas and Thomas Dolby, layout by Bill Smith

Initially rejected by Capitol-Harvest in the US, for some odd reason. They also butchered the track listing by swapping some songs out. When "She Blinded Me with Science" became a hit, Capitol decided to put the record out again, with this cover restored.