Release Year of Alice Cooper's "School's Out": A Peek into the Origin of the Album Artwork.
Informal, Original Version
Hey there, are you ready to dive into some insane artist shenanigans? Let's talk about the iconic "School's Out" album by Alice Cooper, released back in '72. It wasn't just the catchy tunes that made this album a classic, but the wildly creative sleeve design that had everyone talking!
Working with records can be a trip, especially when you come across zany artist presentations. It's always a hoot when we find sleeves that transform into bizarre shapes or even records that become models of planes. On our radar today is Alice Cooper's 'School's Out'. The cover art for this bad boy was designed by Craig Braun, a bloke who was the Creative and Marketing Director at Warner Music until 2001.
About Craig BraunThis guy's got some impressive credentials. He co-designed the Rolling Stones' tongue and lips logo and collaborated with Andy Warhol to create the Velvet Underground's Banana album cover. But Craig's designs weren't just flat; they were a tactile experience. And "School's Out" is a prime example of his work. The original records unfolded into school desks!
The cover (top of the desk) features 'engravings' by the band members, and the lid lifts up to reveal all sorts of goodies. Pencils, crayons, a slingshot, and a "School's Out" quiz that lists the credits...classic stuff! The record itself slips neatly into the desk, kinda like a gatefold. The back features two fold-out legs, allowing the sleeve to stand on its own.
But being Alice Cooper, it wouldn't be complete without a touch of controversy. The earliest presses included paper panties that served as inner sleeves. Yeah, you heard it right! However, these were soon discontinued due to safety concerns, as they proved to be a fire hazard.
2021 Limited Edition RepressFast forward to 2021, and Friday Music released a limited edition repress of the album on 180g vinyl, bringing back the panties and the original sleeve design. And we hope they used safer paper for the panties this time!
Tracking down an original copy with the panties intact is like striking gold, folks. So, keep your eyes peeled!
Fun FactThe school desk used in the shoot is now displayed in the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas!
Explore More- Who is Craig Braun? - For more on Craig Braun and his groundbreaking artwork, check out our blog on the legendary designer.
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References:[1] "Craig Braun (Graphic Designer) – Key Facts,"https://www.google.com/search?q=Craig+Braun+(Graphic+Designer)+Key+Facts[2] "School's Out (Album),"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School's_Out_(album)[3] "The History of the Alice Cooper Sculpture at the Hard Rock Hotel Casino Las Vegas,"https://www.alicecooper.com/blog/the-history-of-the-alice-cooper-sculpture-at-the-hard-rock-hotel-casino-las-vegas/[4] "Craig Braun (IQ Proteomics),"https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-braun-1b75117a/
- Swinging back to the topic of music and entertainment, the cover art for Alice Cooper's 'School's Out' album, designed by Craig Braun, includes a school desk that unfolds to reveal various school supplies, making it an interactive piece that added an extra layer of fun to the album's experience.
- Aside from his work on 'School's Out', Craig Braun is also known for his innovative designs such as co-creating the iconic Rolling Stones' tongue and lips logo and collaborating with Andy Warhol, merging music and art to create compelling and unforgettable visuals throughout his career.
