So long, Tom Wilkes
by Harry Haller at 6:25 pm
Tom Wilkes, who created some of the most memorable images of my youth, died June 28 in the high desert east of Los Angeles at age 69 of a heart attack. I learned of it today, reading his New York Times obituary. For years his artwork adorned album covers and poster art, one of the best popular galleries of the late ’60s and early ’70s. With his passing I am more than ever reminded I miss not only the warm intimacy of popping, crackling analog music on vinyl, but also the artistic forum 12-inch long-playing album covers provided.
Wilkes’ covers include work for Janis Joplin, Ringo Starr, Neil Young, George Harrison, and The Gap Band. His cover for The Rolling Stones’ Beggar’s Banquet, featuring a graffitied wall in a seedy restroom, was considered too controversial, and was initially rejected by the the band’s record label. Hard to imagine in today’s show-and-tell-all world.
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Posted on 21 July 2009 at 8:47 pm
The music industry has had many talented people working to come up with packaging designed to get consumers and music fans interested in their new products, and Tom W was certainly one of the most-prolific and talented in that group. As is the case with so many creative people, the music business was not always kind to him (nor, unfortunately, were motorcycles), but he will leave quite the legacy.
Glad that his efforts had a good effect on you.
Mike G – RockPoP Gallery