1950s

9 cover stories

The birth of the 12-inch LP gave designers a canvas for the first time. From Alex Steinweiss's invention of the illustrated album cover to the cool jazz photography of Blue Note, the 1950s established album art as a commercial art form.

Time Out

The Dave Brubeck Quartet · 1959

Satan Is Real

The Louvin Brothers · 1959

Blue Train

John Coltrane · 1958

The Best of Muddy Waters

Muddy Waters · 1958

Here's Little Richard

Little Richard · 1957

Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar!

Johnny Cash · 1957

After School Session

Chuck Berry · 1957

Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley · 1956

In the Wee Small Hours

Frank Sinatra · 1955