1950s
10 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.
All 1950s album covers
Satan Is Real
The Louvin Brothers · 1959
Time Out
The Dave Brubeck Quartet · 1959
Bo Diddley
Bo Diddley · 1958
The Best of Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters · 1958
Blue Train
John Coltrane · 1958
After School Session
Chuck Berry · 1957
Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar!
Johnny Cash · 1957
Here's Little Richard
Little Richard · 1957
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley · 1956
In the Wee Small Hours
Frank Sinatra · 1955
Frequently asked questions
- What defined 1950s album cover art?
- 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.
- What are the most iconic album covers of the 1950s?
- Notable covers featured on Behind the Covers include Satan Is Real by The Louvin Brothers, Time Out by The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Bo Diddley by Bo Diddley, The Best of Muddy Waters by Muddy Waters, and Blue Train by John Coltrane.
- How many 1950s album covers does Behind the Covers feature?
- Behind the Covers features 10 1950s cover stories, with cover art by designers including Ira Louvin, S. Neil Fujita, and Reid Miles.