British graphic designer was responsible for some of the most memorable album artwork of all time

Storm Thorgerson, the British graphic designer behind some of the most memorable album covers of all time, including Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon, has died aged 69.

The designer, who also created artwork for bands and musicians including Led Zeppelin, Peter Gabriel and Muse over his 40 year career, died peacefully after having been ill for some time with cancer.

Thorgerson began his career with UK design group Hipgnosis, founded in the late 1960s, and his distinctive style made him one of the industry's most recognisable artists.

A childhood friend of the founding members of Pink Floyd, he became their designer-in-chief, most famously creating the prism spreading a spectrum of colour across the cover of The Dark Side of the Moon, which became one of the bestselling albums of all time. His artwork for the band also included the lonesome-looking cow on the cover of Atom Heart Mother, the burning businessman on the sleeve of Wish You Were Here, and the giant pig flying over Battersea power station on the cover of Animals.

In a statement, Thorgerson's family said 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," the statement said. "He is survived by his mother Vanji, his son Bill, his wife Barbie Antonis and her two children Adam and Georgia."

Pink Floyd guitarist and singer Dave Gilmour said in a statement on his website that Thorgerson's artwork for the band had been "an inseparable part of our work".

He 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.

"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."

A statement on the official Pink Floyd website said: "We are saddened by the news that long-time Pink Floyd graphic genius, friend and collaborator, Storm Thorgerson, has died. Our thoughts are with his family and many friends."