Gary Burden

American artist (1933–2018)

Annie Burden
Jenice Heo

Gary Burden (May 23, 1933 – March 7, 2018)^[1] was an American artist specializing in the field of album covers. He is considered one of the pioneers of the concept of album cover art.^[2]

Early life

Gary Burden was born on May 23, 1933, in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Lowell and Agatha Burden, and grew up mainly in south Florida.^[3] At the age of 16, he joined the Marine Corps. He studied architectural design at UC Berkeley.

Career

In the 1960s and 1970s, he designed covers for many rock stars, such as Mama Cass, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, Joni Mitchell, The Doors, The Eagles and Jackson Browne. He created album covers for Neil Young for 35 years.^[4]

His works were nominated for four Grammy Awards,^[5] and, at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2010, he won the award for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Packaging for the Neil Young The Archives Vol. 1 1963–1972.^[6]

Burden collaborated with photographer Henry Diltz. In 2000 they made a documentary California Rock: Under the Covers, depicting their album cover works and participation in the Los Angeles rock scene.^[7]

Awards

Grammy Awards

Nomination, Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package for Neil Young, A Letter Home (2014)
Win, Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package for Neil Young, The Archives Vol. 1 1963–1972 (2009)
Nomination, Best Recording Package for Neil Young, Mirror Ball (1995)
Nomination, Best Album Package for The Eagles, One Of These Nights (1975)
Nomination, Best Album Cover for Richard Pryor, Richard Pryor (1968)^[6]

Personal life

He was married to Annie Burden, who is one of the "Ladies of the Canyon" in the Joni Mitchell song.^[8]

He was married to Jenice Heo.^[9]

References

^ Genzlinger, Neil (March 16, 2018). "Gary Burden, Designer of Famous Album Covers, Dies at 84". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 19, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
^ Hale, Mike. "California Rock: Under the Covers". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-12-05.
^ "Gary Burden, album cover designer to rock elite". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 March 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
^ Phelan, J. Greg (2003-11-06). "It's Got a Good Beat, But Where's the Cover?". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-10-31.
^ Delatiner, Barbara (2002-04-21). "THE GUIDE". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-12-05.
^ ^a ^b "Artist: Gary Burden". Grammmy.com. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
^ Profile, tcm.com; accessed March 11, 2018.
^ "Joni Mitchell Library - Thoughts on the song Ladies of the Canyon and the time: JoniMitchell.com, May 4, 2008". jonimitchell.com.
^ Kreps, Daniel (10 March 2018). "Neil Young Album Cover Artist Gary Burden Dead at 84". rollingstone.com. Retrieved 22 June 2019.