Vinyl Records with Similar Album Art - Who Copied Who? | Vinyl Rewind

[@elc1960]

With the Cash and Dylan albums, that was a record company decision; they both recorded for Columbia Records, both worked with the same producer at the time (Bob Johnston), plus it was likely a popular album design, because Dylan had a similar cover for his Greatest Hits Vol. 2.

[@KealohaHarrison]

One of my favorites is the Stones doing the cover of Their Satanic Majesties Request with the exact same photographer who did the Sgt. Pepper photoshoot a few months after it came out. Of course the albums are very different musically, but still they made an obvious choice to make their cover so similar to the Beatles lol

[@luismarioguerrerosanchez4747]

Plus, they hid pictures of The Beatles members in the background as a nod to The Beatles having a Shirley Temple doll with The Rolling Stones written in her dress in the Sgt Pepper cover.

[@IgnorancEnArrogance]

Yes! I was expecting him to show that in this video, and The Mothers of Invention parody We're Only In It For The Money, even if it was technically the gatefold sleeve and not the cover. It was intended to be the cover.

[@ImthePaulshouldnotbeallowedtod]

It's funny how 50 years later the Beatles put 3D on Sgt Pepper box cover

[@jakobschifo9590]

Have you ever done a full-on showcase video for your collection? That would be awesome!

[@Founder-]

Think closest we got to a showcase was in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y52cc4GspdCjgas of his new vinyl room which looks really cool and had my jaw on floor with a old pressing of Nick Drake Pink Moon. I hope he shows his collection off some day.

[@duff0120]

im waiting for that

[@jjquinn2004]

Great suggestion.

[@scottbubb2946]

I have always heard that The Beach Boys really liked Jan and Dean and did a lot to help them in their career. I don't remember ever hearing anything about these covers. I can't imagine that The Beach Boys didn't know about the similarities. Maybe they didn't mind... Or were paid... Neither cover seems to be really "artistic." I'm guessing they were probably both designed by (or for) the record company. Very interesting. I'd like to look into this more when I have time. Thank you

[@coleparker]

The Beach Boys and Jan and Dean grew up in the same area, So. Cal along Huntington Beach, Malibu and other areas during the early 60s and they knew each other well. I grew up in Huntington Beach during that period. In those days, the beach towns were small, unlike today, and it was not unusual to see them hanging out together. Each would sing on the other's albums.

[@lordofthemound3890]

From about ‘62 to ‘63, it was common for The Beach Boys and Jan & Dean to share the same bill. The Beach Boys would open, then play behind Jan & Dean. By ‘64 though, The Beach Boys had become the bigger act.

[@mikeroeder]

In the "tribute" category, I always loved Soul Asylum's EP "Clam Dip & Other Delights" a parody of the "Whipped Cream & Other Delights" cover. The title is also a reference to "clams" which are mistakes made while playing an instrument.

[@elc1960]

At least two other artists did their own takes on the "Whipped Cream" cover art; ethnic Italian comedian Pat Cooper had one entitled "Spaghetti Sauce & Other Delights," and RCA had a group called The Frivolous Five that did "Sour Cream & Other Delights." In Cooper's case, it was just the artwork that was being lampooned, but The Frivolous Five did parodies of some of Herb Alpert's better known songs.

[@rundoetx]

Would be interesting to know if any of the similar albums were on the same record label. Back in the day, before artists had a real say in what their album art looked like, the art was determined by the art dept of the record label. So maybe the same designer designed them both because he was in the stable of the record company's art dept.

[@Victor-mc1sz]

Easy Listening LPs are a gold mine for these things. I'm pretty sure you'll find a lot with the Tijuana Brass clones. Have you thought of doing a video of your top 10 album art?

[@georgeprice4212]

Not even strictly in easy listening!

[@robgronotte1]

There are a lot of later covers that spoof "Whipped Cream & Other Delights". Many are hilarious.

[@markc1381]

St Peppers v We're Only in it for the Money by the Mothers !

[@TheRatedOniChannel]

Now that's a really good one.

[@milesdufourny4813]

That's neither a tribute nor a ripoff, it's a parody - and a great one at that!

[@FelixWarren]

I have a book called "Album Cover Album" that gives a history of album cover art, and I noticed a few of these because of how the album covers were grouped according to genre and style. Sometimes the book grouped similar covers together to highlight the effect. Sometimes the book's editors had trouble figuring out which covers to include because so many were similar.

[@haj1909]

Bob Dylan's Desire definitely nicked the cover art from John Phillips' Wolfking of LA album. Guitarists Rick Derringer and Trevor Rabin both issued solo albums in 1979. Both were called Face to Face and donned eerily similar cover art as well.

[@johntbd]

I literally had London Calling in my hand when noticing this video. Well done.

[@pollyester6627]

Meet The Beatles - Meet The Residents The cover allegedly drew the attention of Capitol Records, who threatened legal action if the cover were not changed. In response, the Residents pressed a stereo edit of the album with new artwork, presenting the original "crawfish" photo on the front (although the original defaced cover is still printed in the back, although in smaller size). It is unknown if the threat of legal action from Capitol was actually real, given that all subsequent re-releases of the album have again featured the original 1974 artwork. WIKI

[@williamcarnell2251]

One I found puzzling was Jay Ferguson's Thunder Island cover being reworked by ELP's Love Beach album. I figured ELP was totally out of ideas since it was the last studio album of theirs.

[@TheEWFX29]

There's the late 60s period where the Beatles put out albums and then the Stones albums were in the same vein. Sgt Peppers/Satanic Majesties then White Album/Beggars Banquet

[@prettyshinyspaghetti8332]

Beggars Banquet is interesting because it came out only 2 weeks after the White Album, yet the covers are so similar that it's hard to believe that it was a copy. Likely a huge coincidence

[@poppaspank]

That was enjoyable. If you consider doing a sequel or part II... I was waiting for Dylan's Desire and the John Phillips solo album. If you don't have both, google 'em.

[@bluepeng8895]

sgt pepper and satanic magesties request? White Album and Begger's Banquet?

[@VinylRewind]

What copy cat album covers are you found?

[@duff0120]

sgt peppers and the rolling stones 1967 album

[@Michael69]

Check out Donovan - Barabajagal (1969) vs the 2000 reissue of Mark Fry - Dreaming With Alice (1972). It's a blatant copy. Also, since you showed the Dylan Greatest Hits album, compare that with Gustavo Cerati's album "Bocanada". Great video as always Eric!

[@jamesoblivion]

Imagine being Marty Robbins, and just happening upon that Rex Wells record in the wild. It would be like an out of body experience or something.

[@elvisleeboy]

Double Fantasy and Press To Play have a similar look I think.

[@prettyshinyspaghetti8332]

Hey wait. Those 3 Beatles vinyls on the wall. I recognize those from Matt Williamson's Pop Goes the 60s KZbin channel. Those were 3 whatif albums he created!

[@LapsangTe]

Elvis Presley released a whole bunch of albums with almost identical covers, with a photo of him on stage wearing white overalls and with a black background. One is called "I got lucky" another is called "Raised on Rock" and then we have "Elvis Now", "Elvis", "Today", " From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee" and "Promised Land". All those covers are almost identical. My guess is that Elvis didn't care about the covers and just told RCA to put a cool picture of him on the cover.

[@elvisonwax]

It’s more likely that they were ‘designed’ by Tom Parker for a fee (he licensed pictures of Elvis to RCA). There are pictures of him with cut out words and pictures, assembling a ‘design’. Elvis’ record covers are a true disappointment compared to other artists of the era.

[@LapsangTe]

@@elvisonwax For many artist of that era album covers didn't seem to matter. You just put some photo there, with not much thought behind it. The Beatles changed all that and their album covers became works of art in their own right.

[@grimlyfiendish5579]

6:33 You're woefully wrong about Jan and Dean. If anyone copied anyone at the beginning it's the beach boys copying Jan and Dean...who'd been around for years before the beach boys. 👍

[@UnwrittenSpade]

There is an interesting video I saw somewhere once about how a ton of old record of singer songwriters had album covers of them sitting in the same chair. It’s like a peacock rattan or wicker high back chair. Really astonishing how many albums have it

[@RayDeLaCroix]

There is a japanese band called Color Filter that has an album called Blueberry and it's pretty similar to Simon & Garfunkel's Sounds of Silence album cover.

[@stephenwarhurst6615]

Just think the up set when some opens a gift present to find the wrong record. With the reply by person who gifted it to you - You told me to buy you Gunfighter Ballads you even told me it's the one with the cowboy in black with the red cover?

[@cradio52]

You should do more quick, fun and interesting videos like this! This was great. I’m sure you could find even more examples for a second part.

[@sstaners1234]

You remind me of a Supply Officer I had in the navy used to play college football for them. Nicest guy you’ll ever meet.

[@vinylobscurity]

Cool video! Excellent subject and you're right that was very fun - some of those covers are so close!

[@Founder-]

This video is so well done and well thought out for the comparison with Bob Dylan I'd also thrown Gustavo Cerati - Bocanada into mix with it being a sort of similar looking cover design as well. Keep up the good work love watching these videos!

[@nestalymarin2383]

Bocanada came to mind immediately when I saw those

[@lauv1150]

exactly what i thought

[@Michael69]

Yeah I often think of Dylan when I see the Bocanada cover haha. Good catch

[@MrMariofan109]

talking about Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits, Gustavo Cerati (famous Argentinian rock star) paid homage to it on his second album Bocanada:)

[@michaeljpellegrino]

That Rex Wells album was my first record album (i was six). Use to play it all day long. There's a song listed on the front "Barney and Clyde" which is Bonnie Parker's poem set to music.

[@caseysmith544]

The Beetles and the Stones did on an early album a shot of them looking down at the camera. One was Out Of Our heads for the Stones looking down off some stairs and the other was Meet the Beetles or With the Beetles, the famous hotel look down. Both had the groups looking down different but similar in that they had the band looking down.

[@PollyW326]

Like you said a couple of those are just the style of the times basically. But yes I have seen PLENTY of similar album art. I love your channel, dude. So informative. Keep ut the good work!

[@jhutt8002]

There was a CD of an artist called El Pulpo in local shop. With parody of AC/DC's Stiff upper lip cover. Just didn't buy it, because thought it was too expensive just for funny cover

[@2ridiculous41]

Ironic that Dean Torrence (of Jan & Dean) became or perhaps already was a graphic designer and won awards for his album covers.

[@Fluteboy]

One that immediately stuck out for me was the 1998 album _Big Calm_ by Morcheeba. That sleeve was inspired by the 1966 Ray Conniff compilation _Hi Fi Companion._

[@kandigloss6438]

I haven't really noticed this in my own collection but maybe I should look more. I've noticed it while going through discogs and other sites for ideas for albums to listen to tho. like for instance there are SO MANY british/european prog rock albums that have similar looking paintings of grotesque looking faces on them, lol. Maybe I should put together a digital collection of them sometime, lol.

[@ThatPlasticOne]

What do you think about the cover of Meet The Residents? Would that fall under parody?

[@VeryUsMumblings]

3:22 I'm going to guess and say that the record company is the copycat in this one. Guy Lombardo first came to fame in the 1920s, doing charleston and foxtrot and danceable jazz and was advertised as having a 'Sweet' sound for decades (as opposed to what might then have been called 'hot' jazz). Most of Lombardo's highest selling recordings were 78 speed singles, made long before the two albums you're holding up and most of the Guy Lombardo sold in LP format from the 50s on were compilation albums of Lombardo's most popular songs. I would guess that whatever record company happened to produce the Three Suns likely saw these compilations and decided that they were in the same ballpark of music and tried to capitalize on it.

[@lordofthemound3890]

Yeah, it’s funny he says “nobody cares about them.” Lombardo had one of the best, and longest-lived bands of the 20th century. It was Louis Armstrong’s favorite band FFS.

[@VeryUsMumblings]

@@lordofthemound3890 Lombardo's band was more sweet-sounding, but they had the 'chops' that other jazz players respected. 😀

[@ayyowhat]

I literally just listened to all summer long about 15 minutes before watching this video

[@gaopapa65]

Glad you got around to making this one!

[@vanitazazas]

I love your videos. I watch them all every time a new video comes out. I love your content

[@zaq55]

@ 7:38 - Check out "Bo Diddley Is A Gunslinger" cover from December 1960.

[@vikingbeard]

I found both Gunfighter albums on youtube. Did Rex Wells copy the music as well as the cover? The Marty Robbins album is available in a digital version. It's very well produced with gentle acoustic guitars and superb vocal arrangements. Thank you for making me aware of it. Rex Wells' album is gentle and tasteful too. The youtube version is ripped from an old LP, so it sounds more muffled/vintage than the digital version of Robbins' album. Side 2 sounds quite different, less tasteful and more generic country. Found this information: "There is no such artist as Rex Wells, the songs on this album are done by Tompall & The Glaser Brothers on Side 1 and The Willis Brothers on Side 2. A knockoff of "Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs" by Marty Robbins, later reissued on the Modern Records label under "Billy The Kid - Gunfighter Ballads" 1962". Actually Tompall & the Glacer Brothers did the superb backing vocals and wrote one of the songs on Robbins' album! And seems they partcipated on his next album too. I guess there's much more to the story. Could you recommend other albums in this genre?

[@elc1960]

Cool that you know that little factoid about Tompall & the Glazer Bros. The Willis Bros. (Guy, Vic & Skeeter) were a longtime second tier country/western act that started out as The Oklahoma Wranglers, and they were actually the backing musicians on Hank Williams Sr.'s Sterling Records sessions in 1946 and 1947. They recorded for a number of smaller labels like Starday and Crown, among others. They occasionally appeared on the syndicated country music shows like The Wilburn Bros. and Porter Wagoner.

[@sammott9169]

Awesome Idea

[@elvisonwax]

This kind of record talk is close to my heart. Discoveries like these similarities keep our collections going. One great example is Elvis’ Christmas Album (red themed with wrapped gifts) from 1957 which is the same design and layout as Mario Lanza’s Christmas album of the previous year. The difference? His is grey. I love that. Perry Como’s Golden Records and Elvis’ Gold records volume 3 and 4 are also very similar.

[@thevideocommenter3061]

You should also do a one with album cover homages. Though most of the video would be Whipped Cream and Other Delights

[@matthewhood7844]

Marty Robbins' outfit and pose seem to be based on the character of Palladin from the show "Have Gun, Will Travel" which was popular at the time.

[@ababab28]

Album covers are the youtube thumbnails of the music world, when something works everyone does it! Also I would mention that on that Jan and Dean album I am pretty sure Brian Wilson has some songwriting/producer credits, so the influence of the Beach Boys runs deep.

[@Milewskige]

Queen's "News of the World" is based off of an issue of Astounding Science Fiction (October 1953)

[@sunshinecoolwater9528]

Check out the album "Freedom Wind" by the Explorers Club. You'll be delightfully surprised.

[@howardowens721]

Check out Nick Lowe, Jesus of Cool/Pure Pop For Now People, then Julie London, Calendar Girl, then David Whitfield, From David with Love. I think that trio trumps them all.

[@arejaycee5484]

I grew up listening to that Marty Robbins album Cheers Dad RIP.

[@bort_hamburger]

Please do something on The Moody Blues. I don’t know what but I would love if you did. Great work!

[@jessechristensen6028]

I don’t know if you’ve watched Brandon Herrera’s gun meme review but the Marty Robins memes are great.

[@ministerofdarkness]

My favorite is the Allan Sherman record where he's covered in spaghetti! Mocking the Herb Alpert " Whipped Cream" cover.

[@robgronotte1]

There are many great covers that spoof the Whipped Cream one. Probably the most famous one is Soul Asylum's "Clam Dip & Other Delights".

[@separateglances1]

Lorde’s Solar Power cover is a very similar idea to Free’s self titled album from 1969.

[@PixelGameSquad]

You have no idea how much we love Marty Robbins in my household 🥰

[@archieleechjb]

My favorite is how Bob Dylan's first self-titled album was copied by Glen Campbell's "Gentle On My Mind." Campbell covered Dylan a few times during the mid- and late- 60s. The back of the "Gentle On My Mind" album cover has this essay about how Campbell is a "song-poet." I think that was a very blatant effort to cash in on Dylan's appeal.

[@timscarrow9151]

We're only in it for the money and the Rutles cover. Two of my favs.

[@craigswedin2337]

One you should add for next time is the self titled album by the band Free wih the latest album by Lorde. You may have to use strtegically placed stick on notes to show the covers though.

[@wahbwahbwahb]

The Mothers of Invention's "We're Only In It For the Money" & The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper"

[@subjekt0345]

here's a good one! mc solaar - qui sème le vent récolte le tempo (1991) vs menelik - O.Q.P. (2000)

[@davidellis5141]

Leonard Cohen - Death Of A Ladies Man & Mike Randle ( From Love ❤️) My Music Loves You.

[@jonsrecordcollection7172]

What about a video discussing all those circa 1964 low budget knockoff albums of the Beatles with names like The Liverpools, The Bedbugs, The Beetles etc. etc.?

[@markrobert9915]

Two albums that I can think about with almost the same album covers is John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band. Though they really don't count since they're companion albums. I love the music on both, but if you're getting a copy of the one made by John ('cause Yoko's album is experimental rock and you might not like it), you have to look at the back cover to really see the difference.

[@anthonygarza947]

You should see Peggy March & Bennie Thomas "In Our Fashion" and Skeeter Davis & Bobby Bare "Tunes For Two". Both released in the same year and on the same record label being RCA Victor.

[@analogidc1394]

Looking quickly at the `Soft and Sweet` covers I'd say they used the same model.

[@redskinStu]

Only example I have to share is from the CD world (sorry, know this is a vinyl chan), Rush Retrospective II 1981-1987, and The Best of the Thompson Twins Greatest Mixes, wonder if the same person designed the covers

[@stephenking3356]

Definitely no album art copying going on, but Fleetwood Mac's first album with the Buckingham Nicks lineup ( actual title: Fleetwood Mac) is often referred to as the Fleetwood Mac white album, which of course is a reference to the album actually titled The Beatles, but commonly known as The White Album.

[@bonaquador]

Tangerine Dream by Kaleidoscope(1967) looks strikingly similar to Rubber Soul by the Beatles(1965)

[@MrSpankee02]

Another great informative and entertaining vid. Well done.

[@NinjaMatt2201]

Is that the Jan and Dean album the Beach Boys wrote songs for? I think they wrote and played on Little Old Lady from Pasadena.

[@NinjaMatt2201]

Not the album I was thinking of, but Brian Wilson did co-write 4 songs on it, so there's the connection.

[@billthecat666]

Jimmy Hendrix Are You Experienced? and Mary's Danish Experience.

[@garytaylor4345]

Eric that was a fun video I never put 2an2 together on some of those album’s

[@jdd3786]

I have many records but I haven't noticed this, so a pretty cool video. But I don't think the lounge records count lol.

[@ShaNaNa242]

Pawn Hearts (Van Derr Graaf Generator) and The Game (The Bay City Rollers)

[@Clay3613]

Please do another video if you come across more!

[@thomascars1]

Motley Crue’s “Too Fast For Love” vs The Rolling Stone’s “Sticky Fingers”. Obvious copy but more than likely a tribute

[@tiborosz1825]

I believe there was a time when the artist was not involved in the art direction of the cover. It was outsourced to agencies. Zeppelin's presence and Pink Floyd' Wish You Wete Here was done by the same people.

[@PIZZASPULUNKER]

Probably one of my favorite tributes is Kamikaze by Eminem’s tribute to License To ill by beastie boys. He’s paying tribute to some of the founding fathers of hip hop.

[@workingorder2189]

People forget music is a business. The industry wants to make profit, and will do what ever it to takes to get your money.

[@strawmancomics]

This was a great concept for a video. I like this kind of content.

[@rmca123]

HEREOS & VILLIANS and Wish you were here are basically the exact same

[@nick_vee]

Don’t forget Weird Al’s “Off the Deep End” album cover that was later copied by a band named Nirvana for their “Nevermind” record. Same swimming pool, same fishing line. They only changed it to a baby with a dollar instead of a man and a donut. Like we wouldn’t notice the copy cat ripoff.

[@phonokilleddigitalstar]

I'm kind of new to vinyl collecting, I started seriously beginning of this year. I went from 80-something and a Cruiser to 250ish and an LP-120 with Klicpsh "The Fives'" with a Tube pre-amp. I'm a big Beatles fan and while I have watched a few (as far as I know, you only mention owning the mono in The White Album video) of your UK vs. US videos you seem to be holding mostly stereo versions. I wonder what your school of thought is on the mono versions? I didn't go too crazy on the US versions unless someone gifted them to me or I found them for cheap. I just jumped in for the UK mono stuff for their earlier LPs. I have Please, Please, Me, A Hard Days Night, Beatles for Sale, and HELP! in mono. Yet, I really LOVE the stereo UK of The White Album and wondering if I should try to get Sgt. Pepper's in mono or not. (sorry I know off topic but this is your latest video.)

[@elvisonwax]

Yes, more talk of mono would be great. It’s incredible that the once dominant format of records is all but forgotten by many.

[@Productions427]

As someone who owns the 2014 mono repress of Sgt. Pepper, I will say that I definitely prefer the mono mix of that album.

[@phonokilleddigitalstar]

@@Productions427 I'm going to try and take a break till after Christmas. I'll be on the look out for a deal on the mono of Sgt. Pepper's then. Would you suggest the 2014 or an OG pressing or whatever I can get a deal on?

[@Productions427]

@@phonokilleddigitalstar I’d say whatever you can get a deal on. (I’ve never seen an OG one “in the wild”.) Unfortunately, either one is most likely going to be expensive at this point, as even the 2014 edition is years out of print.

[@thekalifornian4244]

The debuts for The Doors and The Stooges are pretty similar. Definitely my favorite 🎃

[@scott12xu]

Both were on the same label as well (Elektra) so it was pretty obvious the label were hoping The Stooges could be the next Doors but The Stooges we’re far more anarchic than their west coat brethren. Ironically, Iggy Pop was briefly considered as Jim Morrison’s replacement after the latter’s death but by then, Iggy was fighting his own internal demons (drugs) so he was taken off the list.

[@taylorchristiansen6338]

Love your videos. Peace, brother.

[@DAEDRICHHHH-TUCKER19]

love these kind of videos!!

[@milesdufourny4813]

The rip off of the Marty Robbins album cover just cracked me up! Was Crown one of those labels that were always on sale at supermarkets (like Tops)? I have a copy of Voodoo by Robert Drasnin on Tops. By the way, what brand of integrated amp is that? It looks like a Wavelength Audio (because of the oval badge on the front).

[@robertschepis3685]

Not Dylan’s last one either. His album “Desire” was copied from John Phillips’ “John the Wolf King of LA”. I think Phillips’ came out five years earlier.

[@ronfowlermusic]

Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Volume 2, too.

[@troymcclure4971]

There is no such artist as Rex Wells, the songs on this album are done by Tompall & The Glaser Brothers on Side 1 and The Willis Brothers on Side 2.

[@cbot72]

The Beatles Second Album vs The Rolling Stones, Now! Or With The Beatles vs The Rolling Stones

[@saulperezjr.8345]

@VinylRewind Are you planning on doing a Revolver box set review or unwrapping?

[@MASQUALER0]

Black beauty by miles davis, and band of gypsys by jimi hendrix.

[@LandondeeL]

That should be "Who copied WHOM?" (caps mine)

[@Computerdude123]

You forgot The Beatles Sgt. Pepper and The Mothers of Invention We’re Only In It for the Money.

[@NintenDub]

Very cool stuff eric

[@NintenDub]

Please do a part 2. Even if you don't have the album.just out pictures up. There's def a million more.and you can playlist em into a small series. Would like to see you do some other cool "did you know?" Kind of videos. There's plenty of cool fascinating tidbits that most of us don't know about vinyl. Check out "did you know? Gaming" on KZbin and try that realm of format maybe. At some point your Gunna do something right, and your Gunna see that Howard trajectory. You just gotta keep putting out 🤣...videos!

[@chutspe]

And what about Deep Purple's "Stormbringer" versus Siouxsie & The Banshees's "Tinderbox"?