Tom Wilkes Booth, famed art director and album designer, passed away recently. There’s no relation between him and John Wilkes Booth, in fact his name is just Tom Wilkes. Sorry, I was just trying to spice this burrito up. Anyway.
If you’re of a certain age, you probably grew up pondering the cover art and posters Tom Wilkes created. Me, I’m a little too young but I think I recall a t-shirt a creepy guy who lived in my neighborhood wore that was probably a Wilkes design.
The Stones, Beatles compilations, The Who (Grammy for Tommy album design), Ike and Tina, REO Speedwagen (ironically making Pitchfork’s worst cover designs ever – scroll to bottom), Streisand, Mr. Neil Young and tons more all had some groovy designs courtesy of Wilkes. This was when cover art was truly a part of the experience. Will we ever see those days again? Will we think back years from now about the wrapper Taylor Swift or Black Eyed Peas music came in? I don’t know.
But Wilkes’ talent was too much to be contained by the drifting, rebellious music scene and he spread his love around to book jackets, print ads and illustration projects. Check it and see. Really cool stuff, and if you’ve read this far, you might as well spend a few more minutes getting some value.
Ever hear of the Monterey Pop Festival? He was art director of it. Ever lust after the One Show Award in your boss’ office? Wilkes had one. Think the world could be a better place through a “planetary enhancement program”? So did Tom!
Heeding the aptly titled George Harrison album All Things Must Pass (the cover of which is awesome), we take the needle off the record briefly to sit a quiet moment for Tom Wilkes.
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