Storm Thorgerson, the artist who famously designed the cover art for Pink Floyd's classic album 'The Dark Side of the Moon,' has died aged 69, the band's management confirmed to the BBC. A childhood friend of the rockers, Thorgerson became their designer-in-chief and fashioned a string of eye-catching creations.



The Unmistakable Cover For Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon' [L] and Peter Gabriel's 'Scratch' [R]

In a statement, Pink Floyd guitarist and vocalist Dave Gilmour said, "We first met in our early teens. We would gather at Sheep's Green, a spot by the river in Cambridge and Storm would always be there holding forth, making the most noise, bursting with ideas and enthusiasm. Nothing has ever really changed," adding, "He has been a constant force in my life, both at work and in private, a shoulder to cry on and a great friend. I will miss him."

His most famous creation will forever remain the prism spreading a spectrum of colour, for 'The Dark Side of the Moon'. In 2009, he said of the artwork, "It's a nice but simple idea. Refracting light through a prism is a common feature in nature, as in a rainbow. I would like to claim it, but unfortunately it's not mine!" Other works for Pink Floyd included a mournful looking cow on the front of Atom Heart Mother, a burning businessman on Wish You Were Here and of course giant pig flying over Battersea Power Station.



Muse's Cover For 'Absolution' [L] and Biffy Clyro's 'Puzzles [R]

Though best known for his Floyd collaborations, Thorgerson's credits include albums by Led Zeppelin, Peter Gabriel and contemporary acts like Audioslave, The Mars Volta, Biffy Clyro and Muse. The latter's third album 'Absolution' featured a striking Thorgenson creation, showing an individual looking up the sky as people seemingly fall to earth. The band's Dominic Howard said, "The artwork can either been seen as people coming down to Earth or leaving the Earth, it's open to interpretation."

His family released a statement saying he died peacefully on Thursday, surrounded by family and friends. "He had been ill for some time with cancer though he had made a remarkable recovery from his stroke in 2003," it read. Thorgenson is survived by his mother Vanji, son Bill, wife Barbie Antonis and her two children Adam and Georgia.



Storm Thorgerson's Work For Audioslave [L] and The Mars Volta [R]