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.

No More Floyd

David Gilmour told the Associated Press not to expect another Pink Floyd reunion. He says that the Live8 appearance was “excellent, really enjoyable,” but “The rehearsals were less enjoyable. The rehearsals convinced me it wasn’t something I wanted to be doing a lot of.”

“There have been all sorts of farewell moments in people’s lives and careers which they have then rescinded, but I think I can fairly categorically say that there won’t be a tour or an album again that I take part in. It isn’t to do with animosity or anything like that. It’s just that I’ve done that. I’ve been there, I’ve done it.”

This Date In Music History- September 12

Birthddays:

One of the greatest voices in country music, George Jones was born in Saratoga, Texas in 1931.

Pop singer Maria Muldaur ("Midnight at the Oasis") was born in New York as Maria D'Amato in 1943.

Rush drummer Neal Peart celebrates a birthday today.

Gerry Beckley, the singer with "Horse With No Name" hit-makers America, was born in 1952.

Birthday wishes to Liam Gallagher of Oasis.

History:

In 1962, George Martin produced the single "Love Me Do" b/w "P.S. I Love You" at his first recording session with the Beatles.

John Lennon appeared at the Toronto Rock ‘n' Roll Revival concert in 1969, accompanied by Eric Clapton, Klaus Voormann, Alan White and Yoko. 'The Plastic Ono Band – Live Peace in Toronto' was released in December.

'Wish You Were Here,' Pink Floyd's long-awaited follow-up to 'Dark Side of the Moon,' was released in 1975. "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," a side-long epic about their troubled ex-leader Syd Barrett, is its centerpiece.

Gene Vincent succumbs to a bleeding ulcer at age 36 in 1970.

The late Barry White ("Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe") was born in 1944.

An in-depth report on the death of Elvis Presley aired on ABC-TV’s "20/20" in 1980. It raised so many unanswered questions that the official case concerning Elvis’ death was reopened.

One of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s founders and Country legend, Johnny Cash died of complications from diabetes in 2003. The 71 year-old singer/songwriter had an amazing career spanning six decades - even earning an MTV Video nomination (for “Hurt”) earlier in the year.

In 1964, Manfred Mann's "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" entered Billboard's Hot 100, where it will reach number one just a few weeks later.

The Monkees television show premieres on NBC in 1966. Producers Bert Schneider and Bob Rafelson decided to emulate the zany, madcap humor of the Beatles' A Hard Day's Night for the small screen. When they placed in ad in Variety for four Folk & Rock musicians to appear in a TV series, over 400 applied for the job, including Stephen Stills, John Sebastian, Harry Nilsson and Danny Hutton, but as it turned out, only one of the four winners, guitarist and songwriter Michael Nesmith, actually saw the ad. Micky Dolenz (who would play drums), Davy Jones (who would sing), and Peter Tork (bass) found out about the opportunity from other sources. Nesmith and Tork had experience in the Folk scene; Dolenz and Jones were primarily actors, although Nesmith and Jones had already made some obscure solo recordings. Some have claimed that Charles Manson also applied. The truth is that he was in prison at the time and would not be paroled until March 21, 1967.

Gary Glitter's instrumental, "Rock and Roll Part 2" reached its peak at number seven on the US chart in 1972. The song was a standard at sporting events for years until he was arrested on child pornography charges in England in 1997. Many pro sports organizations quit playing the song after a technician fixing Glitter's computer found indecent images of young children on his hard drive.

Stax Records had its first #1 hit in 1962, with “Green Onions,” by Booker T. & the MG’s, which topped the R&B chart for four weeks. It peaked at #3 on the pop chart.

In 2002, the house that Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) lived in as a child, from 11-15, was sold on eBay for $210,000. The house had been valued at $52,660 in 2000.

2000 - The family of Jimi Hendrix released 56 rare tracks in a 4-CD boxed set, "The Jimi Hendrix Experience."