Alan Aldridge (8 July 1938? – 17 February 2017) was a British artist, graphic designer and illustrator. He is well known for his psychedelic artwork used for books and record covers for The Beatles, The Who, Elton John and Cream and posters like the ‘Great American Disaster Restaurant’.
Alan Aldridge (8 July 1938? – 17 February 2017) was a British artist, graphic designer and illustrator. He is well known for his psychedelic artwork made for books and record covers for The Beatles, The Who, Elton John and Cream.
Alan Aldridge was born in North London and first worked as an illustrator at The Sunday Times Magazine. After doing some freelance book covers for Penguin Books he was hired in March 1965 to become the art director at Penguin. Over the next two years as art director, he especially focused on science fiction book covers and introduced his style which resonated with the mood of the time. In 1968 he formed to his own graphic-design firm Ink Studios.
During the late 60’s and early 70’s Alan Aldridge and Ink Studios were responsible for a great many album covers, and helped create the graphic style of that era. He also designed the infamous poster to advertise Andy Warhol’s film ‘Chelsea Girls’ (featured left) which Warhol said was better than the film when he visited London.
Alan Aldridge designed a series of science fiction book covers for Penguin Books and made a big impression with his illustrations for the two Beatles Illustrated Lyrics books. He also provided illustrations for The Penguin Book of Comics a history of British and American comic art which was launched in the London Mall Galleries by the great Stan Lee. His work was characterised by a flowing, cartoony style and soft airbrushing – very much in step with the psychedelic styles of the times. In 1971 Alan Aldridge and the airbrush team at Ink – Harry Willock, Rick Goodale and Bob Smithers produced the famous poster to launch The Great American Disaster Restaurant (GAD) on Fulham Road – the very first real American hamburger restaurant in London. (NOTE: The sample you see featured above for sale is probably one of the last surviving samples signed by Alan Aldridge). Later 
the two American founders of GAD went on to launch the very first Hard Rock Cafe in Piccadilly and the logo designed at Ink is still in use around the world today.
Rare Alan Aldridge self portrait. Details and Price on application.
Featuring – Alan ALDRIDGE, Neil CANNING, Anthony FROST, Chris GOLLON, John HOYLAND, Albert IRVIN, Rafal OLBINSKI, Jos Van UIJTREGT, Jerzy KOLACZ, Maurice VERRIER. Charles LEVIER & Rick GOODALE. Rainbird Fine Art gallery.
Featuring – Alan ALDRIDGE illustrator, Neil CANNING artist, Anthony FROST artist, Chris GOLLON artist, John HOYLAND artist, Albert IRVIN artist, Rafal OLBINSKI artist, Jos Van UIJTREGT artist, Jerzy KOLACZ artist, Maurice VERRIER artist, Charles LEVIER artist & Rick GOODALE artist. Rainbird Fine Art gallery
Featuring – Alan ALDRIDGE artist, Neil CANNING art, Anthony FROST art, Chris GOLLON art, John HOYLAND art, Albert IRVIN art, Rafal OLBINSKI art, Jos Van UIJTREGT art, Jerzy KOLACZ art, Maurice VERRIER art. Charles LEVIER art & Rick GOODALE illustrator. Rainbird Fine Art – art gallery.
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