From the audio to the visual, we delve into the wondrous world of the album sleeve with Bill Smith, of Bill Smith Studios, responsible for some wonderful images in the 80s.
1. THE JAM (1977-1981)
After getting his foot in the door at Polydor in the 70s, Bill has a breakthrough with The Jam. He is responsible for the artwork for all their albums up to and including Sound Affects as well as a number of single sleeves. More importantly, he has one shot at the iconic The Jam logo. RIP Rick.
2. THE CURE (1979-80)
From mod to goth, Bill moves from the immediacy of The Jam to the more surreal, indie world of The Cure. Bill discusses working on their first three LP's. One a bit of an outlier in their back catalogue, the other more typical.
But which household appliance WAS Robert Smith??
3. GENESIS (1980-83)
Another contrast, this time the prog-rockers entering their 80s pop period with some truly iconic sleeves for Duke, Abacab and Genesis. Fortuitious accidentslead to the iconic Abacab sleeve. AI won't/can't do that shit.
Discussion moves onto discussing copyright and who owns the rights to artwork; the artist or the designer. Then talk on the general LP artwork package; sleeve, back sleeve, inner sleeve, disc labels, etc ending on why he didn’t do the cover to Invisible Touch.
4. THOMAS DOLBY (1981-82)
A very special collaboration with former guest, Thomas Dolby, leads to uniquely brilliant artwork for The Golden Age of Wireless and related singles.
5. NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL MUSIC (1983)
Nowt more iconic in the UK than the Now series and Bill was there from Vol 1.
billsmithstudios.com
80sography@gmail.com
Twitter @80sography
Blue Sky @80sography
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