Van Halen - MCMLXXIV - 1984

The iconic front cover was created by graphic artist Margo Nahas. It was not specifically commissioned; Nahas had been asked to create a cover that featured four chrome women dancing, but declined.

Her husband brought her portfolio to the band anyway, and from that material they chose the painting of a cherub stealing cigarettes. The model was Carter Helm, who was the child of one of Nahas' best friends, who she photographed holding a candy cigarette. The cover, was 'censored' in the UK by the addition of a sticker that obscured the cigarette in the cherub's hand, and the packet of cigarettes.


The back cover speaks fot itself - unfortunately not that artistic as the front.
front & back | sleeve | tube or spotify
album