Not everybody buys a record album strictly for the record, and we know that the album jacket has value, but how did this phenomenon start?
In 1939, Alex Steinweiss was hired to be the art director at Columbia Records and his belief (that we now know is obviously true) was that more attractive packaging would increase the sales of Columbia's records (at the time 78s were packaged in simple paper sleeves and book-like jackets). The result was visually interesting musical packaging and the rest, shall we say, is history.
Many famous album covers have been produced since Alex Steinweiss was first hired at Columbia Records. I have my favorite album covers and I am sure you do as well. Rolling Stone magazine and dozens of radio stations have compiled their lists of the top album covers of all time. (Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles is the usual winner.)
Many famous artists have designed covers. A very famous cover, for the Rolling Stones' Sticky Fingers, was conceived and photographed by Andy Warhol. As the story goes, at a party in 1969, Andy Warhol casually mentioned to Mick Jagger that it would be amusing to have a real zipper on an album cover. A year later, Jagger proposed the idea for Sticky Fingers.
But, there was a flaw in the shipping process. The zipper would press onto the album stacked on top of it, causing damage. The designer, Craig Braun, came up with a solution: the zipper had to be pulled down before the album was shipped, then it would only dent the label. However, Braun never did figure out how to keep the zipper from scratching the other album covers.
Some department stores refused to display the album, feeling it was risque and not family oriented because of the model's snug jeans and zipper display. But this album is historic because it broke new ground and also debuted the famous Stones logo: a caricature of Jagger's lips and tongue.
VinylRecordDay.com is a website devoted to the preservation and appreciation of vinyl and the cultural impact that the vinyl record has had society as a whole. Their main purpose is to promote the preservation of the vinyl record and the art associated with it.
Record album music and art have influenced our culture in many ways. This website explores these influences and even has dedicated a day every year to celebrate vinyl records. The day is August 12, the day Edison invented the phonograph in 1877.
The celebration of Vinyl Record Day is the Saturday following August 12 and the purpose is to "celebrate with family and friends and enjoy music that reminds us that regardless of national news or personal challenges, life always has its goodness."
Part 3 - Vinyl vs. CD.
