Big Brother & The Holding Company – Cheap Thrills (1968, Columbia) (Design: R. Crumb)
The underground artist despised rock music yet accepted this commission because of his admiration for Janis Joplin (not the band, whom he considered “just embarrassing”). He created a different image for the cover, but Joplin loved the cartoon-panels so much that it became the de facto cover. Crumb’s design for the album developed after observing the band backstage at a show and then doing a massive amount of speed to complete the project in 48 hours. The result is iconic, problematic and included on many industry “best of” lists.
The Klezmorim – Streets of Gold (1978, Arhoolie) (Design: R. Crumb)
Crumb is known for his love for the American Blues as well as other regional and traditional music. He continues to create art work for various collections of celebrated Blues artists, as well as individual acts, including the Berkeley, California Klezmer revival act The Klezmorim. The immigrant origins of the music is earnestly depicted in this pen-and-ink of an Ellis Island bound ship in the New York harbor.