Rock Covers – 40 Years Hardcover

Rock Covers – 40 Years (Hardcover)

Album art is inseparable from the music it represents. Long after the final note fades, the cover remains etched in memory, symbolizing entire eras, movements, and identities in rock history. Rock Covers – 40 Years is a definitive tribute to this powerful visual legacy.

This hardcover volume presents more than 750 iconic and rare rock album covers, spanning four decades of music history. From legendary releases to cult favorites, the book celebrates the artists, photographers, illustrators, and art directors whose work became as influential as the music itself. Featured artists include Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Sex Pistols, Pink Floyd, The Cure, Iron Maiden, Sonic Youth, and many more.

Each album cover is accompanied by a detailed fact sheet listing the art director, photographer or illustrator, record label, year of release, and additional production details. Nearly 250 landmark records are highlighted with short descriptions, identifying pivotal moments that shaped bands, artists, and entire genres.

The collection is further enriched with insider interviews from industry professionals who helped define rock’s visual language, along with curated top-10 record lists from leading rock collectors. The result is both a comprehensive reference and a visual celebration of rock culture.

Praised by critics for its depth and authority, Rock Covers – 40 Years is an essential addition to the library of music lovers, designers, collectors, and fans of rock history.

About the Authors

Jonathan Kirby is a record collector and music writer, former editor of Wax Poetics, contributor to Oxford American and The Fader, and A&R at Numero Group.

Robbie Busch (McBoing Boing) is an internationally recognized record collector and DJ, with experience as a label consultant, producer, writer, photographer, comic book artist, and storyboard artist.

Julius Wiedemann is a graphic design expert and longtime TASCHEN editor, known for the Illustration Now! and Record Covers series, as well as books on visual culture and design.