Before becoming a household name, Phil Hartman was a talented graphic designer creating album art for West Coast rock bands. His tragic story is divided into two parts – a rise to fame on Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons, and a shocking murder due to domestic violence. Hartman’s lesser-known roots in design include work for bands like Poco and America. His minimalist style, showcased on Poco’s ‘Legend’ album cover, was a personal and commercial success. Despite rumors, he did not design the cover for Steely Dan’s ‘Aja’ but left a lasting impact with his underappreciated album art.
https://www.conorherbert.com/music/the-album-art-of-phil-hartmann