STORM THORGERSON
orn in I‘M-1. Storm Thorgerson‘s
childhood would not have been thought
unusual were it not that he went to school with Roger Waters and Syd Barrett.
‘Roger and I had two connections. one of
which was through our mothers. who happened to be pals. and also. Roger and l tended to play rugby and cricket together at school.‘ Thorgerson says over lunch in a restaurant beneath his North London studio. ‘I knew Syd better in some ways. because he was one of our direct peer group. hanging around Cambridge in the early 60s. I look back fondly on those teenage years . . . great friends. illuminating experiences. and of course. the music.‘
Having studied English and philosophy at university. he went on to complete an MA in film and television at London‘s Royal College of Art. Pink Floyd were putting the finishing
touches to their second album. A Saucer/ill of Secrets when a friend turned down the job of
creating its sleeve. With no background in art or graphic design. Thorgerson volunteered for the job. ‘They happened to be in our flat and they asked David Henderson. who was a painter. but he refused.’ he says. ‘I was nosily listening at the door and I said. “I‘ll do that". I didn't know any better.‘
20 THE LIST 30 Apr—14 May 2009
ANY PORT IN A
STORM
The album art of Storm Thorgerson is almost as famous as the music: it accompanies, as a new book on the subject testifies. Jonathan Wingate meets him