Pink Floyd cover designer dies

R.I.P. Storm Thorgerson. The man who designed Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon' as well as 'Wish You Were Here' and a number of their other albums has lost his battle with cancer at age 70.

Thorgerson also designed Led Zeppelin's Presence and three of Peter Gabriel's self-titled albums as just the tip of the iceberg on his resume.

Graphic artist Storm Thorgerson died on Thursday. He had a stroke in 2003 from which he recovered but succumbed to cancer.

Thorgerson was a friend of Syd Barrett and Roger Waters while in high school and went on to work for Hipgnosis who designed many of Pink Floyd's covers. In 1987, he formed his own company, Storm Studios.

He is known for his surreal work, placing everyday objects in unusual places.

Both a family statement and comments by David Gilmour have been posted on the Pink Floyd website.

From the family:

"Yes, Storm has died. He passed away, on Thursday 18th April in the afternoon. His ending was peaceful and he was 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. He was in his 70th year."

He is survived by his mother Vanji, his son Bill, his wife Barbie Antonis and her two children Adam and Georgia.

From Pink Floyd:

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.

From Pink Floyd:

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.

The artworks that he created for Pink Floyd from 1968 to the present day have been an inseparable part of our work.

I will miss him.

David Gilmour