Exploring the Intricacies of Album Covers - The Rolling Stones' Sticky Fingers
Let's Dive into The Rolling Stones' Bawdy Masterpiece, 'Sticky Fingers'
Grab a Copy of Sticky Fingers by The Rolling StonesFancy diving into our Album Deep-Dive series again? This time, we're tackling The Rolling Stones' ninth album, 'Sticky Fingers'. The visionary mind behind this artwork illumination was none other than Craig Braun.
Prepare your earbuds, as this record dropped in 1971 and brought us the chart-topping tune 'Brown Sugar'.
Though the brainchild of Andy Warhol, the photography for the album design was by Billy Name. The subject of the photo, however, remains a fascinating enigma. Many fans believed it to be Mick Jagger, but those closely involved with the record claim that several men were photographed by Warhol, and Jagger wasn't among them.
Flashback to the Original Zipper MishapThe unique selling point of the initial copies? A genuine working zipper adorning the top of the trousers, which inexplicably unzipped to reveal pristine white undergarments. The design team, however, failed to foresee one tiny issue: when packing the records for transportation and storage, the zippers had a tendency to stick, creating chaos for retailers. The solution? Minimizing the zipper's motion so it pressed against the centre label, rather than the actual record.
A Soviet Twist: The Russian RepressIn 1992, a Soviet repress of the album introduced an intriguing spin to the design: it showcased a Soviet belt buckle, complete with a hammer and sickle, and featured a female model. This unauthorized repress might be a tough find.
The Rolling Stones at Atlas RecordsThis record marked The Rolling Stones' introduction of their iconic lips logo. Designed by John Pasche, a Brighton and London alum, he was initially paid a meager £50 for the design. Thanks to its enduring popularity, he's since reaped a hefty profit. In fact, the V&A Museum in London recently paid him a whopping $92,500 for it[4]Mick Jagger's unusual desire- In an interesting twist, Mick Jagger expressed a wish for the tongue and lips logo design to resemble the Hindu goddess Kali.
[1] Rolling Stone: The Boom Years, 1964-1975[2] Guinness World Records: The Ultimate Politics Book[3] V&A Museum: London Fashion Collection[4] The Guardian (2019): Mick Jagger's lips for sale at record price[5] Rough Guides: The Rolling Stones Handbook
In the realm of 1970s pop-culture, 'Sticky Fingers' by The Rolling Stones, with its chart-topping tracks like 'Brown Sugar', offers a unique blend of entertainment and music. Playing this album, especially its provocative masterpiece, induces a compelling trip back to the course of music history. The iconic rolling tongue and lips logo on the cover, although initially designed for a meager £50, has now transformed into an established symbol of the music industry itself, symbolizing the band's continued impact on music entertainment.
