Alex Steinweiss, artwork for the first album cover, 1940. For the LP Smash song hits by Rodgers
Alex Steinweiss, artwork for the first album cover, 1940. For the LP Smash song hits by Rodgers & Hart. Source 1 + 2The 23 years old designer convinced Columbia’s suits to create album covers. Until then, 78s records were sold in generic sleeves. He made the photo at the NY Imperial Theatre, 45th street, the owner helped by illuminating the right title for an hour.“I got this idea that the way they were selling albums was ridiculous. The covers were just big brown, tan or green paper. I said: “Who the hell’s going to buy this stuff? There’s no push to it. There’s no attractiveness. There’s no sales appeal.” So I told them I’d like to start designing covers.” Alex Steinweiss -- source link
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