Got this idea from the Beatles' Favorite Album Cover thread. What would you say is THE most recognizable album cover of all time. Recognized by even non fans? Although this will be lost on younger generations seeing as how the album is now pretty much DEAD. Anyway, I'd say some contenders are:


As Jon said:




I know there are so many I'm blanking on. I miss album cover art. It's too bad that technology has to ruin such things.

Quoted from Sandra

Got this idea from the Beatles' Favorite Album Cover thread. What would you say is THE most recognizable album cover of all time. Recognized by even non fans? Although this will be lost on younger generations seeing as how the album is now pretty much DEAD. Anyway, I'd say some contenders are:


As Jon said:




I know there are so many I'm blanking on. I miss album cover art. It's too bad that technology has to ruin such things.

How about "Meet the Beatles!"

I think these three are very reconizable album covers

Nice choices Todd! The Zeppelin and Who albums take me right back to my living room. I spent many hours listening to those two albums! I have to admit though, I don't recognize a lot of these albums people are posting! I'm out of it.

Nice choices Todd! These two in particular transport me right back to my living room. I spent many hours listening to those albums!

I have to admit though, I don't recognize a lot of these albums people are posting! I'm out of it.

All are "memorable" album covers, but Abbey Road (like Pepper) is one that when you see it or see a spoof of it, you know exactly what it's related to.

I feel like Dark Side comes close to that too. But maybe not so much anymore. I don't know. Can the younger ones speak up? Are you guys familiar with that iconic cover?? Or has that era passed as well.

Amongst non-fans I suspect Abbey Road would be the most recognizable, although more specifically rock-oriented people might prefer Dark Side Of The Moon; dull, plodding thing though it is. Robert Freeman's photograph for With The Beatles / Meet The Beatles! deserves some consideration, too.

What's that Nirvana album with the kid in the water....

Quoted from HeatherBoo

What's that Nirvana album with the kid in the water....

Uh, Nevermind. Easily the most recognizable of it's generation.

Quoted from Geoff

Robert Freeman's photograph for With The Beatles / Meet The Beatles! deserves some consideration, too.

True. It's copied a lot. I remember when Seinfeld was huge and they put them on the cover of Rolling Stone or some magazine in that style. I've seen it with the Simpsons too. Actually, anytime something becomes really huge they use something Beatles related to make the point that, yes, these people are also very popular. It's become standard fair.

Quoted from Sandra

Love the look on Jerry Seinfeld's face. Have no idea how do describe it, though.

Quoted from Geoff

Love the look on Jerry Seinfeld's face. Have no idea how do describe it, though.

lol looks like george may have inserted something into his back passage kind of look

Quoted from fendertele

lol looks like george may have inserted something into his back passage kind of look

Yeah; that thought occured to me, too; but I thought no, don't go there (in any sense) when people are probably eating breakfast.  

This is a cool thread. Different age groups are sure to bring something different to the table. Here's a few more.

Can't believe no one's said this one yet:


This one can be found anywhere second-hand LPs are sold. I'm considering starting a collection.

Quoted from Mairi

Can't believe no one's said this one yet:

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Why did you make me remember?  

Hey be nice to Bruce.....

Just some ones off the top of my head:












I'm not sure if this offensive or not, but if it is I'll gladly remove it.

Quoted from Sandra

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Why did you make me remember?  

What's the matter? Don't you loooooooooooooove Springsteen's assssssssssssssssssssss?

Quoted from Mairi

Can't believe no one's said this one yet:

But before that, there was this:

Quoted from Hello Goodbye

But before that, there was this:

And then...:




And Mairi, it's what's inside the record sleeve that makes me cringe! What's on the outside is actually pretty hot.

Quoted from Andy Smith

Now we're talkin.'   Great collection, that.  

You've all already named Abbey Road, Sgt. Pepper, King Crimson's first album................but this is THE album that sticks out in my brain............and I saw this one before I even ever discovered the Beatles.  I thought the album was "frigthening"...............

What can I say................ELP........."Brain Salad Surgery"..............

Oh.............and I see this was not posted.  Very recognizable by "Floyd" fans............."Pipers At The Gate of Dawn"...

I love the Sticky Fingers cover! With the zipper and everything. SO cool. That's the problem with CDs, you don;t get neat extras like that anymore.

Quoted from Jon

All are "memorable" album covers, but Abbey Road (like Pepper) is one that when you see it or see a spoof of it, you know exactly what it's related to.

Right.  Like:





No spoof, however.  This is one fine album!

I think in order to be deserving of the title 'Most Recognizable Record Cover', you first need to be able to take off the artists name and album title to see if it's still recognizable. Secondly, show it to about 100 people ranging in age from say, 15-65. To that end I think 2 albums fit the bill.

Dark Side Of The Moon
Sticky Fingers

Of course there's Abbey Road and Sgt Pepper. But they have the band on the cover as a clue, so I'm not counting them.

The White Album?

Quoted from Bobber

The White Album?

The words 'The Beatles' are a bit of a giveaway!!

After getting the name of the band off of course.  

Quoted from Geoff

Now we're talkin.'   Great collection, that.  

yes, that Dylan cover is so reconizable!