Storm Thorgerson, creator of some of the most iconic album covers in music history, has died of cancer at age 69.
“His ending was peaceful,” Thorgerson’s family said in a statement. “He was surrounded by family and friends. He had been ill for some time with cancer though he had made a remarkable recovery from his stroke in 2003.”
Thorgerson, born in Potters Bar, England, is perhaps best known for designing the cover of Pink Floyd‘s Dark Side of the Moon. He had a long relationship with the band, also creating the covers of Wish You Were Here, Animals and Atom Heart Mother, among many more, stretching long into the band’s career.
His design career extended far beyond the British rock band. Thorgerson also worked with Led Zeppelin on three of the band’s album covers, including 1973’s House of the Holy.
In recent years, Thorgerson remained active, creating the album cover of Muse‘s Absolution and Black Holes and Revelations, The Mars Volta‘s De-Loused in the Comatorium and Frances the Mute and Rival Sons’ Pressure in Time. His most recent work was with Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro, who released Opposites earlier this year.
Thorgerson also dabbled in music videos, working with Robert Plant, David Gilmour and more.
-Kevin Rutherford, Radio.com
