2 cover stories in our archive
Behind the Covers' archive includes 2 album covers documented under the "lightning bolt" design theme, spanning the 1970s, 1980s. These covers sit within the punk, rock tradition and feature work by Bad Brains, David Bowie. Each entry below includes the cover artwork, the designers and photographers behind it, and a short story about the visual choices that defined the release.
The iconic lightning bolt striking the U.S. Capitol Building became one of punk's most recognizable images. Created by transgender designer **Donna Lee Parsons** (then known as Dave Ratcage), the concept reflected the band's ban from D.C. venues.
A red-and-blue lightning bolt splits David Bowie's face, a single teardrop pools on his collarbone, and a brief commissioned to make a superstar turned into the most expensive album cover ever sold. Here's how a lipstick outline and an Elvis ring became the 'Mona Lisa of Pop.'