Us and Them: The Authorised Story of Hipgnosis: The visionary artists behind Pink Floyd and more...

by Mark Blake

432 pages, Paperback

Published January 9, 2025

Reviews

[Tim Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Blake’s Us and Them is a fascinating and richly detailed portrait of Hipgnosis, the trailblazing design studio that redefined album art in the 1970s and beyond. Blake brings to life the eccentric brilliance of Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey Powell, whose surreal and daring work became inseparable from the music of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and countless others. Packed with anecdotes from the artists themselves and the rock legends they worked with, this authorised biography captures both the creative highs and the combustible personalities that fueled Hipgnosis’ groundbreaking designs.

What makes this book a standout is how it weaves music history with visual culture, showing how the studio’s work shaped the identity of entire bands. Blake writes with authority and warmth, balancing reverence for Hipgnosis’ genius with a wry acknowledgment of their egos and excesses. The result is a compelling story of art, ambition, and chaos at the heart of rock’s golden age. For music fans, designers, and anyone curious about the stories behind the sleeves, Us and Them is an absolute must-read.

[Ray Smillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jamie Reid. This appears to be a reprint of what is a fine book. Jamie Reid. Storm, Po and Sleazy were Hipgnosis. Jamie Reid. Three totally different characters but it worked, mostly. Jamie Reid. Fascinating, funny, frantic at times. Jamie Reid. You would have thought that a basic spelling error would have been corrected for the reissue. Jamie Reid. It wasn't. Jamie Reid. Poor show. Jamie Reid not Jamie Reed. Jamie Reid.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fantastic book. Whether you know much about Hipgnosis, are a fan of their work or not, this book tells the story of one of the greatest rock and roll partnerships that never graced a stage. I was naive to think that their work was limited to just Pink Floyd album covers but it goes far beyond. The author's research and knowledge really comes out in the narrative. I recommend this book to music fans, art fans or just fans of stories hell-raising adventures!