The Greatest Album Covers That Never Were

Maybe you can't always judge a book by looking at its cover, but you can often judge an album by its cover. The cover art of a record or CD has always been an integral part of portraying the image and the essence of the recording artist. Documented by many books, record cover art has become an art form in itself, above and beyond the music inside the jacket. Many renowned artists have shown their love for this medium by creating covers for their favorite musicians.

Conceived by music archivist Michael Ochs and graphic designer Craig Butler, this project takes album cover art to a whole new level. One hundred established graphic and fine artists were approached to create the definitive album cover of their favorite recording artist. Each chose an iconic musical subject from the 1940s to the present and from the genres of rock, blues, jazz, country and soul music. The result is an original and highly creative collection of contemporary art.

A selection of approximately 50 works comprise an exhibition that will open in Cleveland at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in May 2003 and then travel to U.S. museums through 2004. In addition, a richly illustrated catalogue with 100 full-color reproductions of the entire collection will be produced.

The exhibition contains approximately 50 original works of art created by contemporary graphic and fine artists.

Sizes range from 12" x 12" to 4' x 4' (Exact running feet to be determined)

10-weeks at each venue beginning Fall 2003

$12,000 (plus shipping and insurance)

A richly illustrated catalog with 100 full-color reproductions of the entire collection will be available.

Museums and galleries