Storm Thorgerson, perhaps the most prolific creator of rock album covers, passed away Thursday (April 18) at the age of 69. Thorgerson is probably best known for creating the prism-spreading color spectrum on the front of Pink Floyd's 'The Dark Side of the Moon' album, but he's had his artwork featured on many top records over the years.

A statement released by Thorgerson's family read, "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."

In addition to a wealth of Pink Floyd artwork, Thorgerson designed Black Sabbath's 'Technical Ecstasy' album art, Anthrax's 'Stomp 442,' Audioslave's self-titled effort, Bruce Dickinson's 'Skunkworks,' Dream Theater's 'A Change of Seasons' and 'Falling Into Infinity,' Led Zeppelin's 'Presence' and 'In Through the Out Door,' the Mars Volta's 'De-Loused in the Comatorium' and 'Frances the Mute,' Megadeth's 'Rude Awakening' DVD cover and the Offspring's 'Splinter' among others.

Pink Floyd guitarist and frontman David Gilmour, whose band utilized Thorgerson's artwork on 15 releases, stated, "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 fort, 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."

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