The cover of the 1966 Beatles album Revolver originated as a scrapbook collage, a design choice that earned Klaus Voormann a Grammy Award for Best Recording Package. Beyond this visual contribution, his career spans diverse creative roles including photographer, actor, record producer, illustrator, and painter, rooted in a background of formal graphic arts training in Berlin and Hamburg.
Artistic Foundations
Born in 1938 in Berlin, Germany, Voormann was raised in a household focused on literature and classical music. He pursued formal graphic design education at the Meisterschule für Grafik und Buchgewerbe in Berlin and later at the Meisterschule für Gestaltung in Hamburg. Before fully committing to his artistic practice, he spent eight months working as a graphic designer and illustrator in Düsseldorf.
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During his time in the St. Pauli district of Hamburg, Voormann discovered rock and roll after stumbling into the Kaiserkeller club. His introduction to the Beatles led to a lasting professional and personal association. He stood out among the local clientele, maintaining a distinct aesthetic alongside Astrid Kirchherr and Jürgen Vollmer. This period included his residency in London during the early 1960s, where he lived with George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
Musical Contributions
Voormann served as the bassist for Manfred Mann from 1966 to 1969. His session work includes recordings for Lou Reed, notably on the album Transformer. He also participated as a member of the Plastic Ono Band, appearing on the live album recorded in Toronto in 1969. As a producer, he oversaw the production of the song Da Da Da by the band Trio. In 2009, he released his debut solo album, A Sideman's Journey, featuring collaborations with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.
Visual Design Legacy
His graphic design work extends across the recording industry. Beyond his award-winning Revolver cover, he created graphics for its accompanying sheet music and later designed artwork for the Beatles Anthology project. His portfolio includes cover designs for Harry Nilsson, the Bee Gees, Wet Wet Wet, Turbonegro, and the Dirty Knobs. He also crafted the image for the 1988 Harrison single When We Was Fab.
Fast facts
- Born: 1938, Berlin, Germany
- Primary Instrument: Bass guitar
- Awards: Grammy Award for Best Recording Package (1967)
- Awards: Echo Pop Honorary Award (2018)
- Employer: Phonogram International B.V.
- Member of Manfred Mann: 1966-1969
- Solo Album: A Sideman's Journey (2009)
Questions readers ask
Did Klaus Voormann design the Beatles' Revolver cover?
Yes, he created the collage-style cover for the 1966 album and won a Grammy Award for the package.
What bands did Klaus Voormann play for?
He was the bassist for Manfred Mann from 1966 to 1969, a member of the Plastic Ono Band, and performed in a group called Paddy, Klaus & Gibson.
Achievements
- Grammy Award for Best Recording Package — 1967
- Instruments: bass guitar and guitar
- Genres: rock and roll
