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Most people know Andy Warhol for his screenprints of celebrities and for his elaborate studio, The Factory. He was actually a commercial illustrator for years (and a successful one, at that) before pursuing a fine art career full-time. Additionally, he stayed close to the music scene, creating friendships with the Velvet Underground, the Rolling Stones, and others. As you'll see in these 10 Album Covers Designed by Andy Warhol, he was an equally talented designer who created many of the iconic album covers we cherish today.
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The Rolling Stones "Love You Live"
Artist: The Rolling Stones
Album: Love You Live
Year: 1977
Keith Richards and Mick Jagger couldn't agree on songs so Love You Live became a two-disc album, one disc for each songwriter. The artwork for this album was prepared by Andy Warhol, but the pencil smeers across the front were actually added by Mick Jagger (to Warhol's dismay).
John Lennon "Menlove Ave"
Artist: John Lennon
Album: Menlove Ave
Year: 1986
Menlove Ave is a collection of alternates and outtakes from the recording sessions for Walls & Bridges and Rock 'n' Roll. This album is named after the childhood home of John Lennon and was his least successful album.
RCA Victor "Progressive Piano"
Artist: RCA Victor
Album: Progressive Piano
Year: 1952
This rare covered album contains some of the greatest jazz pianists of the time including Art Tatum, Lennie Tristano, Mary Lou Williams, and Andre Previn.
The Velvet Underground "The Velvet Underground & Nico"
Artist: The Velvet Underground
Album: The Velvet Underground & Nico
Year: 1967
The Velvet Underground & Nico is the debut album for the American rock group which focused on controversial subject matter like drug abuse, prostitution, sadism, masochism, and sexual deviancy. Ahead of its time, the album was a commercial failure until it was listed on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, as well as being added to the 2006 National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress.
Paul Anka "The Painter"
Artist: Paul Anka
Album: The Painter
Year: 1976
Paul Anka was one of the biggest teen idols of all time; he even recorded songs with Michael Jackson and Donny Osmond. The Painter is considered one of his "West coast" sounding albums prior to the British Invasion of pop and rock music.
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Billy Squier "Emotions in Motion"
Artist: Billy Squier
Album: Emotions in Motion
Year: 1982
Emotions in Motion is one of Billy Squier's most popular albums, peaking at number five on the Billboard 200. "Everybody Wants You," a hit from this album, has been used for shows Burn Notice, Chuck, and Sex and the City.
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Liza Minnelli "Live At Carnegie Hall"
Artist: Liza Minnelli
Album: Live At Carnegie Hall
Year: 1979
Liza Minneli's Live At Carnegie Hall album was released in the midst of her already extremely successful career in theater, television, and film. With 11 sold-out shows, this was the longest guest appearance that an artist ever held in Carnegie Hall, and she made it a globally recognized comeback. This is still one of her most famous albums.
Kenny Burrell "Blue Lights"
Artist: Kenny Burrell
Album: Blue Lights
Year: 1958
Kenny Burrell, an American jazz musician, has recorded approximately 106 albums and collaborations. One of his most notable, Blue Lights was originally released as two seperate LPs.
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Rats & Star "Soul Vacation"
Artist: Rats & Star
Album: Soul Vacation
Year: 1983
Rats & Star, formerly called the Chanels, were an all male J-pop group heavily influenced by doo-wop music. The group's name is a palindrome, reading the same forwards and backwards, and symbolizes "rats" raised in the less affluent parts of town that could, by singing doo-wop music, reverse their fortunes and collectively become a "star."
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Aretha Franklin "Aretha"
Artist: Aretha Franklin
Album: Aretha
Year: 1986
This album from the legendary Aretha Franklin includes her latest number one hit single "I Knew You Were Waiting for Me" with George Michael. Aretha was her only album release for more than a decade until 1998's "A Rose Is Still a Rose."