Within the newest episode of the 99 % Invisible podcast, reporter Sean Cole explores the origin story of the album cowl artwork for Devo’s debut album, Q: Are We Not Males?
Band members Jerry Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh had been captivated by a kitsch illustration {of professional} golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez – a golfer recognized for his flamboyant apparel and persona – on a package deal of observe golf balls. They determined that the picture of Rodriguez, a personality who defied standard expectations of his occupation, completely encapsulated the essence of their single “Be Stiff,” a satirical commentary on the uptightness of authority figures. They used the picture with out looking for permission from the golf ball firm or Rodriguez.
When Devo signed with Warner Brothers in 1978, they wished to make use of the identical picture for his or her first album. However the label’s authorized division was frightened a couple of potential lawsuit triggered by utilizing Rodriguez’s likeness with out permission. The band despatched a letter to Rodriguez asking for his permission to make use of the album, however did not obtain a response. In order that they got here up with a brand new method — a Mr. Potato Head-style pastiche of Rodriguez’s face, mixed with options of the earlier 4 U.S. presidents, creating an absurd, unrecognizable determine.
Because the covers had been being printed, the band bought Rodriguez’s blessing. All he wished was copies of the album to present to his mates as Christmas items. With trepidation, the band despatched him the albums with the Frankensteinian face. Thankfully, the golfer was unfazed by the unflattering illustration. He instructed Cole he was merely comfortable to have helped a younger band and to have contributed to the spectacle of present enterprise.
From the article:
Whereas reporting this story, Sean Cole really managed to get in contact with Chi Chi Rodriguez to ask him for his opinion on the document. It seems that he wasn’t mad about his picture being distorted; he was simply comfortable to assist out an up-and-coming band. “I believed that these younger individuals [were] making an attempt to make a profession out of it, and I may assist them, and that is it!” For him, it was that straightforward. “As a result of I love to do one thing good every single day of my life, and I wish to go away the Earth higher than I discovered it,” says Chi Chi merely.
“I believed that these younger individuals [were] making an attempt to make a profession out of it, and I may assist them, and that is it!”
Chi Chi did hearken to the document when he obtained it, nevertheless it wasn’t actually his model. He is extra of a Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole man. When Sean requested him about what he considered his face being on the duvet of an artwork rock band’s first document, he had the proper response: “Golf is present enterprise, and whenever you’re on stage you bought to present the individuals a present,” Chi Chi replied. “And that is … what Devo did. Devo got here out to present the individuals an excellent time.”
I additionally watched Troy Stone’s great documentary concerning the album cowl, which features a heart-warming assembly between Casale and Rodriguez for the primary time. Rodriguez looks like a really type and beneficiant man.
