Craig Braun: An Identification
In the realm of music and art, Craig Braun's name stands as a testament to innovation and creativity. Born in 1939 in Chicago to working-class parents, Braun's journey in the entertainment industry began in the mid-1960s when he worked as a record die cutter and printer.
Braun is best known for his groundbreaking work in the design of album covers. His most notable contribution was the iconic gatefold album cover for The Rolling Stones' "Sticky Fingers" (1971), which featured a real working zipper on the cover—a first in album packaging. This design, marrying graphic creativity with physical interaction, set new standards for how albums could be presented as collectible art pieces rather than just musical content.
Braun also made significant contributions to the film industry, transitioning into film and production design. His visual and artistic skills influenced movie poster design and overall cinematic visual presentation, impacting both industries over multiple decades.
In addition to his creative pursuits, Braun also dabbled in the world of business. He started his own brokering business, hiring designers and illustrators for various music-industry projects. One such project was the sale of the Top 10 Rarest Records by Atlas Records in June 2025. This sale was a significant event in the music industry, commemorating Global Beatles Day and the 50th anniversary of Fleetwood Mac's 'Fleetwood Mac' album.
Among the rare records sold was Fleetwood Mac's 'Fleetwood Mac' album, marking its 50th anniversary. Braun's innovative approach extended to the packaging of these records, as he introduced adhesive album stickers that increased album sales due to their placement on the upper third of LP's shrink-wrap.
Braun's influence was not limited to the music industry. He collaborated with iconic artists such as Andy Warhol, designing iconic album covers for bands like The Velvet Underground, Led Zeppelin, and the Rolling Stones. Despite local art student John Pasche conceiving the idea for the Rolling Stones' logo, Braun was responsible for its manufacturing.
Throughout his career, Braun achieved significant success, boasting one of the world's rarest vintage Porsche collections. His contributions lie in innovating album cover art, enhancing the aesthetic and tactile experience of music releases, and extending his creative influence into film through production and design roles, thereby bridging two major entertainment industries.
The sale of these rare records was not just a commercial event but a celebration of music history. It marked a milestone in the evolution of the music industry and served as a tribute to the timeless appeal of albums like Fleetwood Mac's 'Fleetwood Mac'. Braun's legacy continues to inspire artists and designers, shaping the future of music and art packaging.
Craig Braun's innovative designs in album packaging, featuring in classic albums like The Rolling Stones' "Sticky Fingers," have been a significant contribution to the realm of music as entertainment. Additionally, Braun's adhesive album stickers, introduced in the packaging of rare records, have been instrumental in enhancing the aesthetic presentation of music releases.
