Canned Heat – Boogie with Canned Heat (1968, Liberty) (Design: Dean Torrence)
One half of the Surf-Vocal duo Jan and Dean, pioneers of the California sound, Dean Torrence turned to his initial calling of graphic design and photography following Jan Berry’s debilitating car accident near “Dead Man’s Curve” in 1966. Dean’s work as a designer was well sought after and garnered him multiple Grammy nominations (and one win) for Album Cover of the Year. His second career spanned decades and resulted in some truly iconic album covers for Dennis Wilson, Harry Nilsson and many other Southern California recording artists. The art work for Boogie with Canned Heat, in all the glory of its color and contrast, could easily double as a cover for a science-fiction paperback on a drugstore spindle-rack.
Dennis Wilson - Pacific Ocean Blue (1977, Caribou) (Photo/Design: Dean Torrence)
Dennis Wilson - Bambu (2017, Caribou) (Photo: Dean Torrence)