Tag Archives: the-beatles

10 Classic Band Photo Album Covers

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This is the first 10 I’ve selected of classic album covers that feature a photo of the band on the cover. Not all album covers featuring the band on the front cover are interesting or memorable, but I think these 10 are a good start. If you have any suggestions for the next 10 (or further), let me know in the comments. (Actual photos, not drawings or separate photos put together).

Alice Cooper – Love It To Death (1971)

One of 2 early AC album covers that featured the band on the front cover, and really, what inspired me to start this list. Released in March of 1971, and featuring the band’s breakout hit “I’m 18”. This came in a black & white gatefold sleeve, with the band on the front, photographed by Roger Paul Prigent, who also shot cover photos for Nancy Wilson (jazz singer) and Barbara Streisand. A classic shot, with the band around their lead singer, in cape, with a black backdrop lit up with a spotlight. The cover shot originally saw Alice sticking his thumb out of above his cape, which some took as an obscene gesture, thus subsequent reprints air-brushed out the thumb or cropped it out.

Lynyrd Skynyrd – Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd (1973)

The debut album from Southern rock’s greatest band. This album featured classics – “Free Bird”, “Tuesday’s Gone”, “Simple Man”… The cover photo taken on Main Street, in Jonesboro, Georgia, after a day of photography (other shots used for publicity). A casual shot of the band on the sidewalk, against a local business, was taken by the photography team of Emerson-Loew (Sam Emerson, Anthony Loew).

The Who –Who’s Next (1971)

My favorite Who album, and arguably their best, with “Baba O’Riley”, “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, “Bargain”, “Behind Blue Eyes”… This classic cover shot taken of the band, by Ethan Russell, who’s cover photo credits include The Beatles, Spooky Tooth, and Burton Cummings, among others. I’ve added a link to the story, as told by Russell below. https://www.loudersound.com/features/album-artwork-the-who-whos-next

Beatles – Abbey Road (1969)

The Beatles iconic cover, a photo of the band on the cross-walk, in front of Abbey Road Studios. Taken by Scottish photographer Iain Macmillan, who only took a half dozen of the band, in a short period of time, as it was a busy roadway. Macmillian also took cover shots for John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Kenny Rogers & The First Edition. The Abbey Road photo was also recreated by the band New York City, Soulful Road, 1974 (also by Macmillian), as well as Booker T & The MGs, McLemore Avenue (the band’s 1970 album that covers the songs on Abbey Road). The crosswalk is a popular place apparently for tourists to be photographed at as well. *I’ve added a link to an in-depth feature on the album cover, as well as a link to the outtakes.

https://www.radiox.co.uk/artists/beatles/the-beatles-abbey-road-album-cover-facts-meaning/

https://web.archive.org/web/20050219004220/http://www.norwegianwood.org/beatles/english/abbey2.html#

Uriah Heep – Sweet Freedom (1973)

Fin Costello photographed URIAH HEEP a number of times over the years, notably for the Live January 1973 insides, which in turn inspired the KISS Alive packaging. The Sweet Freedom cover, by the legendary Peter Corriston marked a new beginning for the band, having switched to a new record label, as well as getting away from the fantasy themes of their previous 2 albums. Costello took this cover shot at the Chateau in France, (where the album was recorded). Note Lee Kerslake’s left arm hidden behind Ken Hensley, as he had an injury, and Mick was actually holding it up,

Golden Earring – Contraband (1976)

Contraband was the Dutch rockers 12th studio album, as it preceded the classic double Live album. It was the band’s lowing charting album in their homeland since the 1969, but still making the top 10 there. Included the hit “Bombay”, as well as classics “Fightin’ Windmills” and “Mad Love’s Comin'”. The cover photo of the band’s 5 piece line-up, which included guitarist Eelco Gelling, was taken by the legendary Dutch photographer, Ronnie Hertz (RIP, 2024). Hertz had photographed the band for their 1969 album On The Double, as well as photographing the model for the classic Moontan cover. Not totally sure what’s happening here, with bandmembers all decked out in different costumes, making for an odd ‘band’ photo. Released in Canada and the US as Mad Love with a totally different cover.

New York Dolls – New York Dolls (1973)

The debut album from the NEW YORK DOLLS. These guys pre-dated the likes of KISS and TWISTED SISTER with the trashy outfits and make-up, as is here on the cover, taken by Toshi Matsuo. Must’ve been a shocker for that era. This album would feature the band’s 2 best known songs – “Looking For A Kiss” and “Personality Crisis”.

April Wine – First Glance (1978)

Canada’s APRIL WINE had already had a number of hits here before their US (Capitol) breakthrough album First Glance, which included the hit “Roller”. And while the Canadian (Aquarius) version of the LP featured artwork done by the label’s in-house artist (Bob Lemm), who had done most of the band’s previous covers, the US version featured the classic debut shot of the new 3-guitar line-up, having recently added Brian Greenway. The same cover photo would be used by Aquarius for the band’s Greatest Hits album, as well as later CD compilations.

Max Webster – High Class In Borrowed Shoes

One of Canada’s most underrated great bands of the 70s. This is MAX WEBSTER’s 2nd of a 6 album run in that decade. High Class In Borrowed Shoes would feature the hit “Diamonds Diamonds”. The cover was a design by Bob King and Hugh Syme (who also worked on a few Max Webster labelmate Rush covers), with photography by David Street. It’s the cover photo, with each bandmember dressed so oddly and different to one another, that makes a huge impression here.

BONZO DOG BAND – ‘Still Barking’, 20 disc box set

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Madfish Music is delighted to announce the forthcoming release of “Still Barking” a highly anticipated CD/DVD box set of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. This deluxe compilation will be on sale from today for release on 13 December 2024.

This major retrospective box set has been in the making for seven years. Band members Roger Ruskin Spear, “Legs” Larry Smith, Rodney Slater, Vernon Dudley Bowhay Nowell, Sam Spoons and Neil Innes were involved in defining the original concept. Titling the set “Still Barking” was very much Neil’s idea. Sadly, Neil, Sam and Vernon passed away before the set’s completion, but their involvement has been immeasurable.

Initial work on the box set was halted by a court case which the Bonzos eventually won. Madfish Music overcame numerous hurdles to clearing material, finding masters and sourcing unreleased material. Surviving and former band members contributed reminiscences and pithy tales and fans were invited to put forward their own memories and memorabilia.

The result of everyone’s hard work and dedication has culminated in two editions of the box set (see Editors’ notes for list of contents). The Standard Edition will feature 17 CDs and three DVDs plus a hardback coffee table book featuring a new essay by esteemed music journalist Chris Welch, archive writings, memorabilia and photographs, and a detailed chronology (cornology) of the band. The Special Edition release will also include a shellac 78 rpm record, an etched, one sided 7” single featuring a previously unreleased version of “Boo!,” reproductions of early promotional posters and booklets, plus an exclusive signed print of the box set artwork by artist Dan Abbott.

Formed in the early 1960s by art students Vivian Stanshall and Rodney Slater, the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band began as a jazz ensemble parodying the music of the 1920s and 30s. Already proving they were a creative force, their art school training further encouraged them to think outside the box – twist the norm and mix genres. Elements of slapstick comedy, music hall, Mariachi flavors, psychedelia and bawdy seaside humor all conspired and inspired the growing band to evolve into a pioneering force in rock and comedy. Their satirical songs, surreal humor, eccentric and eclectic performances quickly made them a favorite on the London underground scene and secured them a permanent residence in the counterculture prevalent at the time.

Their appearances on the TV show “Do Not Adjust Your Set” gained them national fame and featured many of the songs that have become lifelong favorites of fans and critics alike. “I’m the Urban Spaceman,” became the band’s most successful UK hit produced by Paul McCartney under the pseudonym Apollo C. Vermouth.

“We know Bonzo’s fans will be excited about this release,” a spokesperson for Madfish Music explains. “In addition to remasters of the band’s original albums, we have sourced rare and previously unreleased outtakes, BBC Sessions, short films, vintage footage, live recordings and films of concerts in Europe and USA. This was a band that would leave an indelible mark not just on their fans but the music and comedy world.

“‘Still Barking’ is the definitive 20-disc limited edition boxset, the ultimate tribute to a band that defined a genre. Dive into the eccentric world of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and experience their enduring legacy.”

BOXSET CONTENTS
17 CDs documenting a spectacularly entertaining career featuring:
• Stereo versions of all the band’s original albums, carefully remastered to capture their idiosyncratic charm
• Additional versions of “Gorilla” and “The Doughnut in Granny’s Greenhouse” in their original mono mixes
• A newly compiled CD of all the band’s singles
• Two discs of demos, rehearsals, and outtakes
• A single disc of backing tracks
• Three discs of BBC Sessions that capture the band’s eccentric live energy
• Two live discs:
Studio Bellevue, Amsterdam. Recorded: November 1968. Transmission date: 3 January 1969
Fillmore East, NYC, 17 October 1969
• A CD featuring a live rehearsal for a show from London’s Marquee Club and additional material of band rehearsals from the Manor Studios in Oxfordshire.

Plus:
• Three DVDs of visual material, including the complete “Do Not Adjust Your Set” shows, “Colour Me Pop,” “Beat Club,” and more. Highlights include rare appearances, short films, and vintage footage from the height of their career.
• 148-page hardback coffee table book featuring an essay by Bonzos authority Chris Welch and an in-depth Day By Day Chronology/Cornology by noted author Andy Neill (The Who; Ready, Steady, Go!). Also includes tributes and remembrances from fans, friends and band members including Rodney Slater, Yvonne Innes, Roger Ruskin Spear, “Legs” Larry Smith, Pete Townshend & Stephen Fry, alongside images and photos from throughout the band’s career, and much more.

Note: the following content is only available in the Special Deluxe Edition:
• Seven reproduction band photo prints individually signed by Roger, Rodney, “Legs” Larry & Vernon
• 3 band art prints
• Reproduction of Imperial Records US promo poster
• 1967 Liberty Records press release

Release Date: 13 December 2024

To pre-order: https://bonzodog.lnk.to/Still_BarkingTW