10 iconic album covers and their locations
By Diana Hubbell on July 8, 2019 in Music
Before the age of online streaming, a record's cover art was a vital part of its overall artistic composition. It is impossible to think of the defining bands of rock, punk, and pop history without remembering the striking photographs on the covers of their albums. Devoted fans can still track down the original locations of these shoots, many of which are in unexpected places.
Pink Floyd, Animals – Battersea Power Station, U.K.
Curiously enough, the photograph of a helium-filled pig floating above the Battersea Power Station on the north bank of the Thames on this Pink Floyd cover is a composite image. The band couldn't quite nail the composition they wanted with one shot, so they spliced several together.
The Clash, Combat Rock – Bang Sue, Bangkok
Friction arose between the members of The Clash while they were recording this classic rock album. During their tour through Asia, bassist Paul Simonon fell ill while his musical partners in crime frequented Bangkok's seedier bars. The train tracks featured on the cover are not far from their Thai hotel on the outskirts of the city.
Echo & the Bunnymen, Porcupine – Gullfoss, Iceland
Post-punk was in full swing when this band from Liverpool shot the music video for “Cutter" in 1982 in this striking Nordic landscape. The visuals were so breathtaking that they opted to use it as the backdrop for their album cover as well.
Oasis, (What's The Story) Morning Glory? – Berwick Street, London
It was this 1992 album that transformed Oasis from a scrappy indie underdog into a bonafide international phenomenon. The cover features a moody shot of Berwick Street, which was once a haven for music-lovers lined with record stores.
Bob Dylan, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan – Jones Street and West 4th Street, New York City
Before gentrification changed New York's West Village into the posh neighbourhood it is today, it was a famously free-spirited hangout frequented by the likes of Bob Dylan and his contemporaries. This album covers pays homage to the area's former bohemian vibes.
The Eagles, Hotel California – The Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles
At its peak, The Beverly Hills Hotel, sometimes nicknamed the Pink Palace, was a symbol of the music industry's decadence and debauchery. When Don Henley sang “Welcome to the Hotel California!" he may have been referring to this bastion of American luxury and rock n' roll lore.
The Beach Boys, Pet Sounds - San Diego Zoo, California
The year was 1966 and the Beach Boys opted for a very literal cover for their 11th studio album. The photo in question features the group feeding a bunch of goats at the children's petting paddock. It's a whimsical touch and a shot that present-day fans can easily replicate for Instagram.
Led Zeppelin, Physical Graffiti - 96-98 Streets, St. Mark's Place, New York City
Though it has changed considerably since the 1960s and '70s, St. Mark's Place in the East Village remains one of the epicentres of nightlife in New York. Today, fans can still walk by the distinctive building featured both in a Rolling Stones music video and on Led Zeppelin's album cover.
Beastie Boys, Paul's Boutique - Corner of Ludlow and Rivington, New York City
Paul's Boutique, the title and cover of the Beastie Boys' second album, may have been a purely fictional clothing store, but it was in a very real location on Manhattan's Lower East Side. The band members created a fake sign and placed it on Lee's Sporting Goods for Jeremy Shatan to shoot.
The Beatles, Abbey Road - Abbey Road, London
The classic image of John, Paul, George and Ringo striding in single file across Abbey Road is one of the most iconic photographs of rock history. On any given day in London, expect to see fans of all generations attempting to emulate the shot.