Album Cover Artist Tom Wilkes Dies

Album Cover Artist Tom Wilkes Dies Unexpectedly at Home in California

http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2009/7/prweb2608414.htm

July 5, 2009

Award winning artist and designer Tom Wilkes died unexpectedly on
Sunday, June 28 at his home in Pioneertown, CA at the age of 69.
Wilkes was the art director of the Monterey International Pop
Festival in 1967. He designed many classic album covers like Rolling
Stones' "Beggars Banquet" and Neil Young's "Harvest." He was awarded
a Grammy in 1974 for Best Recording Package for "Tommy" as performed
by the London Symphony Orchestra and Choir.
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Pioneertown, CA (Billboard Publicity Wire/PRWeb) -- Renowned album
cover artist and designer Tom Wilkes died unexpectedly on Sunday,
June 28, at his home in Pioneertown, California. He was 69.

Thomas E. Wilkes was born July 30, 1939 in Long Beach, California and
was raised in southern California. He attended Long Beach City
College, UCLA and the Art Center College of Design in the 1950's and 1960's.

In 1967 Wilkes was the art director of the Monterey International Pop
Festival. He created all graphics and printed materials for Monterey
Pop, including the program book and the festival's psychedelic and
iconic foil poster.

From 1967 through 1969, Wilkes was the art director of A&M Records.
He was partner with Barry Feinstein from 1970 through 1973 in
Camouflage Productions, which became record label Blue Thumb's house
art department.

He was partner in Wilkes & Braun, Inc. from 1973 through 1974, and
art director of ABC Records from 1975 through 1977. In 1978 he
started Tom Wilkes Productions and became President of Project
Interspeak, a not-for-profit environmental and human rights
organization devoted to planetary enhancement programs.

Wilkes designed and directed such hit record covers as Rolling
Stones' "Flowers" and "Beggars Banquet", Neil Young's "Harvest", and
George Harrison's "Concert for Bangladesh" and "All Things Must Pass."

He received a Grammy Award in 1974 for Best Recording Package for The
Who's rock opera "Tommy," as performed by the London Symphony
Orchestra & Choir.

Among his many album cover credits:

Janis Joplin - "Pearl"
Ike & Tina Turner - "Outta Season"
Eric Clapton - "Eric Clapton"
Dave Mason - "Alone Together"
Joe Cocker - "Mad Dogs & Englishmen"
Flying Burrito Brothers - "Gilded Palace of Sin"
John Prine - "John Prine"
Emmylou Harris - "Blue Kentucky Girl" and "Elite Hotel"
Leon Russell - "Stop All That Jazz"
REO Speedwagon - "You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish"

In addition to creating hundreds of posters, logos, books, trade ads
and illustrations, Wilkes produced and directed TV and radio spots,
music videos, films, mixed media presentations and special events.

He recently completed a book of his artwork and memoirs, called
"Tommy Geeked a Chicken," and was negotiating publishing
arrangements. At this time, plans are being made to proceed with
publication of the book.

A memorial service will be held for Wilkes on Saturday, July 11th, in
Orange, CA.

Read More about Tom Wilkes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Wilkes

Contact:
Carey Hays, Marketing Manager
The Allan Hays Company, LLC
405 S. Walnut, Suite 206, Muncie IN 47305
Cell: 765-760-3187 Main Office: 1-800-284-8745

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