Album Cover Art

Continuing our look at Gigwise's list of controversial, weird, worst and best album covers (as complied by their staff) let's explore the covers that placed #47 on the list:

Controversial


Coming in at number 47, is the iconic LP by the Rolling Stones called "Sticky Fingers (why so low on the list, when this was released it caused quite a stir!) which was was released in 1971. It is notable for being the band's first release on their newly-formed Rolling Stones Records label after having been contracted since 1963 with Decca Records in the UK and London Records in the US.

The artwork for Sticky Fingers - including a working zipper that opened to reveal a man in cotton briefs (rubber stamped "THIS PHOTOGRAPH MAY NOT BE-ETC.") - was conceived by Andy Warhol, photographed by Billy Name, designed by John Pasche and featured the lower torso of either Warhol assistant Jed Johnson or Joe Dallesandro (not Mick Jagger as a number of fans at the time speculated) in a pair of tight jeans. After retailers complained that the zipper was causing damage to the vinyl (from stacked shipments of the record), the zipper was "unzipped" slightly to the middle of the record, where damage would be minimized.

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Weird


The Flaming Lips: 'Oh My Gawd' – is The Flaming Lips' second album, released on Restless Records in 1987.A collage of seemingly unconnected photographs and cartoons that centres on two giant skulls, The cover features a weird Dali pastiche painted by the band, Features late 80's psychedlia and awesome artwork done by the members of the band, it captures the essence of the alum's heavy rock and roll

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Worst

Coming in at #47 for the worst album cover is Orion – ‘Reborn’ with an image that certainly belongs right along side of the worst album covers of all time.


Orion (February 26, 1945 – December 12, 1998) was the stage name of rockabilly singer Jimmy Ellis. Following the death of Elvis Presley in August 1977, Ellis dressed and sang in the manner of Presley and wore a mask during public appearances, fueling speculation that Presley had faked his death and returned to singing. Ellis' singing and natural speaking voice very closely resembled Presley's. Ellis had recorded rock and country singles under his real name for a number of independent labels since the early 1960s before adopting the Orion persona for Sun Records — Presley's first recording label — in 1980.

With or without the famous mask, the voice was the same. Jimmy Ellis was one of the super-talented, like Elvis, Tom Jones, or Engelbert Humperdinck. Jimmy used different names in his career to try and break the connection between him and the voice of Elvis Presley - names such as Orion, Ellis James, Steven Silver, and others. These attempts were futile because the voice was HIS voice no matter what label was put on it.

Not a novelty act

Mr. Excitement - Orion (Jimmy Ellis) was fun loving, had a great sense of humor, and a great personality. He could laugh about most anything...he was alot of fun at home and especially on stage!!

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Best


#47 on the list for best album covers of all time (as compiled by the Gigwise)the Ramones: ‘Road to Ruin’

Road to Ruin is the fourth album by the Ramones. It was released on September 22, 1978. It was recorded in May and June of 1978 at Media Sound in New York.

With cartoon-like caractures by: John Holmstrom and Gus McDonald this is a classic album cover and belongs on any list of 'best of' album covers.