MUMBAI: Graphic designer Storm Thorgerson, who designed Pink Floyd’s iconic ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ album cover, has died aged 69.
The British-born designer, who had been suffering from cancer passed away on 18 April, his management company said.
‘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. ’ the statement read.
Starting out as a designer in the late 60s’, Thorgerson quickly making a name for himself with his distinctive style of work went on to become chief designer for Pink Floyd –thanks to childhood friendship with the band’s founding members.
His designs for the band’s albums include ‘Wish You Were Here’, ‘Atom Heart Mother’ and ‘The Division Bell’. Thorgerson also created album covers for other artists including Led Zeppelin, Peter Gabriel, 10cc, Black Sabbath and Muse.
The idea for Thorgerson famous cover of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon (released in 1973)- which shows a beam of light being refracted by a prism to a rainbow- was suggested by Floyd’s late keyboard player Richard Wright who wanted a change from Thorgerson’s usual photo based covers.
‘It’s a nice but simple idea – refracting light through a prism is a common feature in nature, as in a rainbow. I would like to claim it, but unfortunately it’s not mine’, Thorgerson said of his work in 2009.
Paying tribute to Thorgerson, Pink Floyd guitarist and singer Dave Gilmour said, “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.”