In the rich tapestry of 1960s music, one of the most iconic album covers of the era is undeniably the artwork for Cheap Thrills by Big Brother and the Holding Company. Released in 1968, this album, fronted by the legendary Janis Joplin, became a cornerstone of the psychedelic rock genre. What truly elevated the album’s impact, beyond its unforgettable music, was the cover art—created by none other than Robert Crumb, the pioneer of underground comix. In this post, we delve into the fascinating story behind Crumb’s involvement with Cheap Thrills and explore how his distinct artistic style perfectly captured the cultural zeitgeist of the 1960s.
A Brief Overview of Cheap Thrills
Before diving into the art itself, it’s essential to understand the album it accompanies. Cheap Thrills was Big Brother and the Holding Company’s second studio album and is perhaps best known for featuring Janis Joplin’s incredible vocal performances. The album includes some of the band’s most famous tracks, like “Piece of My Heart” and “Ball and Chain.” Cheap Thrills is often considered a key release in the development of psychedelic rock, with its free-spirited, experimental sound and deep emotional intensity.
Released at the height of the counterculture movement, Cheap Thrills captured the essence of the era—raw, passionate, and rebellious. While its music was revolutionary, the cover artwork also played a pivotal role in communicating the album’s bold, untamed spirit.
Enter Robert Crumb: The King of Underground Comix
Robert Crumb was already an established figure in the world of underground comix by the time he was approached to design the cover for Cheap Thrills. Known for his crude, satirical, and sometimes controversial illustrations, Crumb was the perfect fit to convey the rebellious energy of the late 1960s.
Crumb’s comic strips were far from mainstream. They often poked fun at American society and culture with biting humor and dark, exaggerated depictions. His work was heavily influenced by the social and political unrest of the era, capturing a sense of disillusionment and countercultural energy that was sweeping through the United States. His most famous character, Mr. Natural, became a symbol of counterculture rebellion.
Before the Cheap Thrills cover, Crumb had already established a reputation in the underground comic scene with works like Zap Comix. His distinctive style, characterized by intricate line work, exaggerated forms, and a satirical edge, was in stark contrast to the more polished, mainstream comic art that dominated the era. Crumb’s style resonated deeply with the growing youth subcultures, making him a key figure in visual storytelling during the 1960s.
The Genesis of the Cheap Thrills Cover
The collaboration between Crumb and Big Brother and the Holding Company began when the band needed artwork for their upcoming album. The band’s manager, Albert Grossman, was acquainted with Crumb, and he suggested the artist as a potential designer for the album cover. At the time, Crumb was not yet a household name, but his comics were circulating among those in the know, and Grossman saw potential in the underground artist.
The band was initially skeptical about having Crumb create the cover art. His style was unconventional, and the idea of a comic artist designing the cover for a rock album was a departure from the norm. However, once they saw Crumb’s early sketches, they were sold. The chaotic, psychedelic nature of Crumb’s art perfectly suited the album’s raw, unrefined energy.
Crumb himself was intrigued by the idea of designing an album cover for a rock band, as he was not entirely immersed in the world of music. But as the process unfolded, he quickly became deeply invested in capturing the essence of the band’s music and spirit.
The Iconic Cheap Thrills Artwork
The Cheap Thrills cover is a vibrant, chaotic, and highly detailed illustration that showcases Crumb’s mastery of the pen. It features an exaggerated depiction of a carnie-style sideshow scene, filled with a cast of over-the-top characters. The central image is a depiction of a woman, dressed provocatively, her body exaggerated in true Crumb fashion. Surrounding her are smaller vignettes that convey the energy and absurdity of the counterculture movement. The wild, distorted forms and vivid colors evoke the madness of the 1960s’ psychedelic culture, while also reflecting the darker aspects of societal excess and consumerism.
What makes the cover truly stand out is its playful yet subversive nature. Crumb’s characters are often grotesque and comically distorted, emphasizing his critical take on American culture. The exaggerated, cartoonish nature of the figures contrasts sharply with the raw, serious music contained within the album, creating an interesting juxtaposition that would become a hallmark of Crumb’s work. In a way, the artwork mirrored the contradictions of the counterculture itself—joyful and carefree on the surface, yet laced with social and political critique beneath.
The cover is also known for its colorful, almost trippy aesthetic, making it a perfect fit for the psychedelic rock genre. The juxtaposition of hyper-realistic, comic book-style characters with psychedelic hues and patterns created a visual experience that was both eye-catching and thought-provoking. This combination helped to define the look and feel of the late 1960s’ music scene, where traditional boundaries of art, culture, and social norms were continually being pushed and redefined.
Crumb’s Unique Contribution to Album Art
While Robert Crumb is most often remembered for his work in comics, his contribution to the world of album art cannot be overlooked. His work on Cheap Thrills stands as one of the most iconic and influential album covers of all time. The cover art helped to establish the visual language of the psychedelic rock genre, influencing countless album covers that followed. Crumb’s distinctive approach to caricature, combined with his keen social critique, perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the 1960s counterculture.
The artwork for Cheap Thrills also demonstrated Crumb’s ability to blend humor with deeper, more complex commentary. While the cover is undeniably fun and wild, it also captures a sense of disillusionment with consumerism and the excesses of modern American life. The album cover’s use of exaggeration and satire mirrored the societal tensions of the time, making it a visual reflection of the music’s themes of rebellion and freedom.
The Legacy of Cheap Thrills and Robert Crumb’s Art
Over time, the Cheap Thrills album cover has become a beloved icon of the 1960s, revered not only for its bold imagery but also for its cultural significance. Crumb’s art continues to be celebrated by fans of both his comics and the album, with many citing it as a prime example of how art can elevate music and vice versa. The Cheap Thrills cover remains a quintessential piece of 1960s visual culture—an unforgettable marriage of music and art that transcended the typical norms of the era.
In retrospect, Crumb’s collaboration with Big Brother and the Holding Company helped cement his place in the pantheon of great American artists, extending his influence beyond the world of underground comics and into the broader pop culture. The album’s success, along with the acclaim for the cover art, showcased Crumb’s ability to connect with the cultural pulse of the time.
Today, Cheap Thrills stands not only as a classic album of the psychedelic era but also as a testament to the power of visual art in shaping the narrative of musical history. Robert Crumb’s work on the album cover has become as iconic as the music itself, an enduring symbol of the 1960s’ cultural revolution.
Conclusion: A Classic That Endures
The story behind Robert Crumb’s cover art for Cheap Thrills is a reminder of the crucial role that album art plays in shaping a record’s legacy. Crumb, with his unique visual style and deep cultural critique, perfectly captured the ethos of Big Brother and the Holding Company’s music and the era it represented. The collaboration between Crumb and the band produced one of the most unforgettable album covers in rock history—an artwork that continues to resonate with audiences decades after its release.
As we reflect on Cheap Thrills today, we not only celebrate the incredible music of Janis Joplin and Big Brother but also the enduring power of art to reflect and amplify the cultural moments that define a generation.