Brian Griffin’s famous cover for ” A Broken Frame » by Depeche Mode is considered one of the most memorable photos of the 1980s.
Brian Griffin, the man who created some of the most memorable album covers of the 1980s for artists such as Depeche Mode and Echo & The Bunnymen, has died aged 75.
Griffin, who had been elected “ photographer of the decade ” by The Guardian in 1989, died in his sleep, as his associate Vaughn George confirmed: “ It is with a heavy heart that I announce that my dear friend and business associate Brian Griffin passed away peacefully in his sleep. I am heartbroken, but I will cherish every conversation, the time we spent together, and all the wonderful experiences we had. Rest in peace my friend. »
Brian Griffin began working as a corporate photographer in the 1970s, before his work with Stiff Records allowed him to establish himself in the music business. Throughout the 1980s, he created many of the decade’s defining album covers, including A Broken Frame by Depeche Mode, a photo of a woman mowing a field, inspired by the socialist photography of Soviet Russia.
This photo was named “ Photography of the decade ” by Time in 1990.
It is with a heavy heart that I announce that my dear friend and business partner Brian Griffin passed away peacefully in his sleep. I am heartbroken but I will cherish every conversation, the time we spent together and all the wonderful experiences. Rest peacefully my friend. pic.twitter.com/YW5dYgsgR5
— Vaughn George (Vaughty) (@VaughnGeorgeV) January 30, 2024
RIP Brian Griffin.
Brian’s photographic and creative genius was responsible for some of Depeche Mode’s (and many other artists) most iconic album covers & photoshoots.
Brian you will be missed 🙏#RIPBrianGriffin #BrianGriffin #Depeche Mode pic.twitter.com/nVsUazSiGH
— Depeche Mode Bong (@depechemodebong) January 30, 2024
He also created iconic portraits of The Jam and Elvis Costello, as well as album covers for Joe Jackson and Siouxsie & The Banshees.
He left photography in the 1990s to set up a production company, but returned in the early 2000s when he led a campaign to have his home city of Birmingham named the European Capital of Culture. He also directed a documentary for Paul McCartney in 2004.
Paying tribute to him, writer Bill Brewster said: “ I am sorry to hear of the passing of Brian Griffin. When I interviewed my fellow photographer Peter Ashworth, he told me he was an inspiration: he’s a stunning photographer. »
