Graphic designer Storm Thorgerson, known for his iconic and surrealist album covers for Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, the Mars Volta and more, passed away today (April 18) at the age of 69.
A statement from the artist's family confirmed his passing, noting he died peacefully, surrounded by friends and family. "He had been ill for some time with cancer, though he had made a remarkable recovery from his stroke in 2003," they added.
Arguably Thorgerson's most iconic image was the prism that adorned the cover of Pink Floyd's 1973 LP Dark Side of the Moon, though he had worked with the English act on covers between 1968's A Saucerful of Secrets up to the 2007 box set Oh, by the Way. A statement from guitarist David Gilmour called Thorgerson's art "an inseparable part of our work."
"We first met in our early teens. We would gather at Sheep's Green, a spot by the river in Cambridge and Storm would always be there holding forth, making the most noise, bursting with ideas and enthusiasm. Nothing has ever really changed," Gilmour continued. "He has been a constant force in my life, both at work and in private, a shoulder to cry on and a great friend. I will miss him."
Thorgerson had helped found influential design team Hipgnosis in the late '60s and worked with the company until it dissolved in 1983. Other entries in his eye-catching catalogue include the first three Peter Gabriel solo albums (nicknamed "Car," "Scratch" and "Melt"), as well as records from Led Zeppelin, Phish, the Mars Volta, Muse, Helloween, Genesis, Dream Theater, Catherine Wheel, Audioslave, the Offspring and more.
The visual artist had also directed a number of videos for the likes of Pink Floyd, Bruce Dickinson, Paul Young and Yes. You can watch his clip for Pink Floyd's "Learning to Fly" down below.
Thorgerson is survived by his mother Vanji, his son Bill, his wife Barbie Antonis and her two children Adam and Georgia.
A statement from the artist's family confirmed his passing, noting he died peacefully, surrounded by friends and family. "He had been ill for some time with cancer, though he had made a remarkable recovery from his stroke in 2003," they added.
Arguably Thorgerson's most iconic image was the prism that adorned the cover of Pink Floyd's 1973 LP Dark Side of the Moon, though he had worked with the English act on covers between 1968's A Saucerful of Secrets up to the 2007 box set Oh, by the Way. A statement from guitarist David Gilmour called Thorgerson's art "an inseparable part of our work."
"We first met in our early teens. We would gather at Sheep's Green, a spot by the river in Cambridge and Storm would always be there holding forth, making the most noise, bursting with ideas and enthusiasm. Nothing has ever really changed," Gilmour continued. "He has been a constant force in my life, both at work and in private, a shoulder to cry on and a great friend. I will miss him."
Thorgerson had helped found influential design team Hipgnosis in the late '60s and worked with the company until it dissolved in 1983. Other entries in his eye-catching catalogue include the first three Peter Gabriel solo albums (nicknamed "Car," "Scratch" and "Melt"), as well as records from Led Zeppelin, Phish, the Mars Volta, Muse, Helloween, Genesis, Dream Theater, Catherine Wheel, Audioslave, the Offspring and more.
The visual artist had also directed a number of videos for the likes of Pink Floyd, Bruce Dickinson, Paul Young and Yes. You can watch his clip for Pink Floyd's "Learning to Fly" down below.
Thorgerson is survived by his mother Vanji, his son Bill, his wife Barbie Antonis and her two children Adam and Georgia.
