I want to pen a respect-filled Tribute Blog to Tom Wilkes.
Some of my favourite and iconic album covers and art works is from the creative genius of Mr. Wilkes. I included some of my personal stash of favourite CD covers designed by Tom below.
May his Memory and Genius live on forever in the Rock Art World.
Thomas Edward Wilkes (1939-2009) was a legendary art director, designer, photographer, illustrator, writer and producer-director.
The great Tom Wilkes (above image).
Tom was a partner with my buddy Barry Feinstein in Camouflage Productions from 1970-1973.
My favourite cool Tom Wilkes designed CD Stash – 1 (above image).
Being a rock photographer, I appreciate the gorgeous images as well as the awesome music in the albums. Who was responsible for the art director, the illustration, the photography, even the type of paper used (the Feel of the album that I’m holding) etc. I think of the hours of meticulous creative work and sweat that were spent over the best designs in visually representing and respecting the music within the album.
Tom Wilkes worked with the top-drawer music legends (above) – George Harrison (“All Things Must Pass”, “The Concert For Bangladesh”, “Living In The Material World”, “Dark Horse”), Rolling Stones (“Beggars Banquet”), Janis Joplin (“Pearl”), Neil Young (“Harvest”, “Decade”), Joe Cocker (“Mad Dogs & Englishmen”), Delany and Bonnie (“On Tour with Eric Clapton”) and countless iconic album covers and art works.
My favourite cool Tom Wilkes designed CD Stash – 2 (above image).
Tom Wilkes worked with the top-drawer music legends (above) – Eric Clapton (“Eric Clapton”), Carpenters (“Close To You”), Leon Russell (“Leon Russell”), Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band (“Safe As Milk”), John Prine (“John Prine“).
In 1967, Tom was the Art Director for Monterey International Pop Festival. He designed the great festival logo – an illustration of the mythic creature Pan with a psychedelic necktie, playing the pipes. Tom created all all graphics and printed materials for the festival including the album box set, program book and the iconic psychedelic tin foil poster.
A Sign – as I am typing this now – Neil Young’s song “Heart Of Gold” from his “Harvest” album, drifts over the airwaves. Far out, man!
Tom Wilkes with his Grammy Award (above image). Tom won the “Best Recording Package” for his art direction for The Who’s Tommy box set, performed with the London Symphony Orchestra and English Chamber Choir. Nice T-shirt, Tom!
George Harrison’s “Dark Horse” album (above image). The cover bears close resemblance to George Harrison former group, The Beatles’ magnum opus, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album cover, with an Indian religious twist. The image is from George’s old school photograph from the Liverpool Institute superimposed onto a Himalayan mystic landscape. That’s school boy blue-faced George at the top row, centre of the image.
Neil Young’s triple-album “Decade” cover (above image). For “decades”, people have wrongly assumed that the guitar case was leaning on Neil Young in the Californian desert. The person was actually Tom Wilkes’ girlfriend at that time the iconic image was taken. Great cover, great songs.
The eternally young-at-heart smiley-faced Tom Wilkes (above image).
Do Google Tom Wilkes for more detailed accounts of his spectacular art magic and accomplishments.
Thank You, Tom Wilkes!
