Wings: "Over America"

Released in 1976,

this was a very successful recording for Wings.

It is a great collection of tracks,

as live recordings go;

but honestly,

I am so

stunned by the

album art,

the music is almost

secondary.

Almost.

Read more about the recording HERE.

Sleeve Design: Hipgnosis

Outer Painting: Richard Manning

Inner: Jeff Cummins

Lettering: Geoff Halpen

Graphics: Richard Evans

Poster Photos: Bob Ellis

Led Zeppelin: "In Through The Out Door"

Released in 1979,

this album from one of the

great bands of the British Invasion

has an unusual artistic story

both musically and graphically.

Read more about it HERE.

Album concept and artwork: Hipgnosis

Genesis: "Wind & Wuthering"

Genesis' eighth (8th) studio album,

this LP was released in 1976.

Great music, as always, of course.

I've not yet taken the time to rank

my "favorite" album covers

but I dare say this one would rank pretty high on the list.

Design by Hipgnosis

Paintings by Colin Elgie

Article about this LP HERE.

Special "shout out" to Chris Holmes at

The Man In The Gray Flannel Suit

for supplying the "lost" info I needed

regarding Art and Design for this LP.

Genesis: "...And Then There Were Three..."

When I first "discovered" Genesis,

they had already been around for many years.

But I instantly loved their music,

and I went about gathering earlier

recordings; i.e., earlier than 1980, which was when

a friend introduced me to them.

This LP was released in 1978,

after Steve Hackett had left the band.

Peter Gabriel had left in 1975.

The three left after Hackett's departure

were Phil Collins, Tony Banks, and Mike Rutherford.

Hence the name of this LP.

Article about Genesis HERE.

Article about this LP specifically HERE.

Album art by Hipgnosis.

Led Zeppelin: "Presence"

Led Zeppelin's seventh (7th) studio album, "Presence" was released in March 1976.

Full of outstanding music, this LP sold well enough, but it does not contain any tracks that one generally names when someone asks you to recall your favorite Led Zeppelin tune.

I have to say, though, that "Candy Store Rock" and "Hots On For Nowhere" really are on my short list of great Led Zeppelin songs.  Of course my short list is like 25 songs long....

Just in case you actually don't know much about Led Zeppelin

or if you'd like to refresh your memory

or learn a bit more than you already know

go HERE.

Album design by Hipgnosis.

It was nominated for the Grammy for Best Album Package in 1977.

(It was beaten out by John Berg's design for "Chicago X" - the one with the chocolate.)

This album went to a fan in Texas.