Storm Thorgerson, one of the most brilliant and prolific graphic artists in the history of rock music, passed away earlier today. He was 69 years old.
Best known for his iconic work with Pink Floyd, he also did album covers for Led Zeppelin, Audioslave, Black Sabbath, The Cranberries, The Disco Biscuits, The Cult, Dream Theater, Peter Gabriel, Genesis, Mars Volta, Megadeath, Steve Miller, Muse, Offspring, Alan Parsons, Phish, Styx, Umphrey's McGee, Ween, and many others.
His work combined the realism of photography with surrealist elements of painting in a way that no one else had ever done before him. His technical proficiency in the analog age was masterful, and his work will live on as a testament to his artistic genius.
via a family statement on davidgilmour.com:
"Yes, Storm has died. He passed away, on Thursday 18th April in the afternoon. His ending was peaceful and 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. He was in his 70th year."
He is survived by his mother Vanji, his son Bill, his wife Barbie Antonis and her two children Adam and Georgia.
via the Pink Floyd Facebook Page:
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.
David Gilmour has made the following statement:
"We first met in our early teens. We would gather at Sheep's Green, a spot by the river in Cambridge and Storm would always be there holding forth, making the most noise, bursting with ideas and enthusiasm. Nothing has ever really changed.
"He has been a constant force in my life, both at work and in private, a shoulder to cry on and a great friend.
"The artworks that he created for Pink Floyd from 1968 to the present day have been an inseparable part of our work.
"I will miss him." - David Gilmour