STORM THORGERSON, WHO DESIGNED ALBUM COVERS FOR PINK FLOYD AND LED ZEPPELIN, DEAD AT 69

by Sterling Whitaker April 18, 2013 5:15 PM

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Artist Storm Thorgerson, who created some of the most iconic album covers in rock music history, has died. The designer — whose creations included the prism artwork on the cover of Pink Floyd‘s ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ — passed away peacefully on Thursday.

“He had been ill for some time with cancer though he had made a remarkable recovery from his stroke in 2003,” Thorgerson’s family said in a statement, reprinted by the BBC, adding that he died surrounded by family and friends.

Thorgerson attended high school with some of the members of Pink Floyd, and his surrealistic designs graced the covers of many of their albums, including ‘Atom Heart Mother’ and ‘Wish You Were Here.’ As a key member of the British design team Hipgnosis, he also designed covers for Led Zeppelin, Peter Gabriel and many more.

In a statement Thursday, Floyd guitarist and singer David Gilmour called Thorgerson’s art “an inseparable part of our work,” adding, “He has been a constant force in my life, both at work and in private, a shoulder to cry on and a great friend. I will miss him.”

A statement on Pink Floyd’s official site reads, “We are saddened by the news that long-time Pink Floyd graphic genius, friend and collaborator, Storm Thorgerson, has died. Our thoughts are with his family and many friends.”

Thorgerson is survived by his mother Vanji, his son Bill, his wife Barbie Antonis and her two children, Adam and Georgia.