Over the years, Eric has used many different artists, photographers, and graphic designers to create the packaging for his albums. Those with an interesting history are:
DISRAELI GEARS (CREAM)
Martin Sharp created the psychedelic artwork. Sharp, an Australian pop artist, moved to London in the late 1960s. In addition to creating album covers, he is also well known for his contributions to Oz magazine and concert posters for such luminaries as Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix and Donovan. At the time the album was recorded, Eric and artist Phillipe Mora shared Sharp’s Chelsea studio with him. The collage created by Sharp on the album’s back cover includes photos of Cream shot in the Kings Road, London and at Ben Nevis in Scotland. Sharp is still active in the art world.
WHEELS OF FIRE (CREAM)
Martin Sharp created the cover art for this album as well. Sharp received the New York Art Director’s prize for Best Album Design / 1969 for it. He also wrote the lyrics for “Tales Of Brave Ulysses” which appears on this album.
BLIND FAITH (BLIND FAITH)
Eric’s friend, Bob Ciderman, painted the image that appears on the cover. When the album was initially released, the artwork was withdrawn in several countries (including the U.S.) due to its controversial subject matter of a nude young girl holding a phallic-looking silver airplane / spaceship. The object is supposed to symbolize both sexuality and futuristic approach to music and life.
LAYLA AND OTHER ASSORTED LOVE SONGS (DEREK & THE DOMINOS)
The liner notes say, “Cover painting by Frandsen-DeSchonberg with thanks to his son, Emile, for the abuse of his house.” The artist’s full name is Emile Théodore Frandsen de Schomberg. For more information, visit the artists’ official website at www.peintre-emile-frandsen.com. The site is in French and English.
THERE’S ONE IN EVERY CROWD (ERIC CLAPTON)
The interior of the gatefold sleeve contains a sketch by Eric. Back photograph of Eric by Robert Ellis.
BEHIND THE SUN (ERIC CLAPTON)
Larry Vigon executed the paintings on the front and back covers. Vigon also did the cover art for the Counting Crows album, “August and Everything After”. A photograph of Eric taken by Pattie Clapton (his wife at the time) is in the interior.
CROSSROADS (ERIC CLAPTON)
Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones executed the front cover portrait of Eric based on a photo in the Star File photo agency archive.
24 NIGHTS (ERIC CLAPTON)
Peter Blake did the cover art and sketches that appear on the interior of the booklet. Blake is most famous for executing the cover of The Beatles’ “Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band”. He would also work with Eric on “24 Nights” a book from Genesis Publications detailing Eric’s record record-breaking run at the Royal Albert Hall and again in 2004 for Eric’s CD, “Me And Mr. Johnson”.
FROM THE CRADLE (ERIC CLAPTON)
Eric took the cover photo. It shows the light coming in under his front gate. He also hand-lettered the album title and the quote on the inside front cover.
PILGRIM (ERIC CLAPTON)
Eric conceived the packaging, but Japanese manga and anime artist, Yushiyuki Sadamoto, executed the idea. Sadamoto is probably most famous for “Neon Genesis Evangelion”.
ME & MR JOHNSON (ERIC CLAPTON)
Peter Blake painted the image of Eric and Robert Johnson that appears on the cover. Blake worked from a series of photographs taken of Eric rather than paint Eric from life.
