Draft:Hubert Kretzschmar

Hubert Kretzschmar is a German graphic artist based in New York City. At 24, left his town of Karlruhen after completing art school and relocated in New York City. By that same year, he co-created the artwork for arguably The Rolling Stones most visually exciting album cover, Some Girls. In 1986, he designed Kraftwerk's futuristic album cover Electric Café. Based off that visual, Kraftwerk had their stage costumes designed which they perform in to this day. To date, he has designed over 150 album covers.

In 2023, Some Girls celebrated its 45 years anniversary with the band widely discussing the milestone and the iconic imagery co-created by Kretzschmar. Mick Jagger has said it's one of his favorite albums. Kretzschmar recalled the album originally had the working title "Lies". The first printing of the album was censured as The Rolling Stone lawyers could not get permission to use those actors' images.

Hubert recalls Andy Warhol’s drag series and how much he admired the Some Girls cover seemed apparent when Andy donned a wig for a self-portrait about a year later.

Kretzschmar designed and photographed the cover for The Rolling Stone's Tattoo You with Peter Corriston. It featured close up black and white photos of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards with tattoo illustrations on their faces. It was controversial as many people failed to recognize the cover photo to be Jagger and believed it to be an unknown female. When asked why he didn't photograph the rest of the band, Kretzschmar explained,"It was a decision that Mick and Keith must have made. I remember Charlie was at the photo shoot with both of them, no effort was made to get him to pose or be part of it." Corriston won a Grammy for best album cover in 1981. One book on The Rolling Stones exclaimed: “The visuals created by Corriston and Kretzschmar are resolutely pop art. A naked woman whose face cannot be properly made out stands upright in a provocative pose before a blue lamé drape.…” The estate of The Rolling Stone drummer Bill Wyman sold a poster of the artwork for $2,880.

He also designed The Rolling Stone's album Undercover of the Night. The Rolling Stone's guitarist Ronnie Wood's website credits him with the cover art photography and illustration.

Kretzschmar's art, photography, and design for 4 of The Rolling Stone album covers toured in The Rolling Stone's Exhibitionism. The exhibition was a visual and audio tour recounting the band's 50 years making music.

The MOMA in New York City has exhibited his artwork for The Rolling Stones and Kraftwerk.

His Rolling Stone artwork collection can be seen online at Lichtfeld Gallery and his portrait of Andy Warhol.

In 1985, he designed the Steady Nerves cover art for Graham Parker.

In 1993, he designed the Face the Heat cover art for the Scorpions.

In 2000, he designed Iggy Pop cover art for his live album, Live in NYC.

His work is discussed in countless books on the music and cultural influence of The Rolling Stones and even the Talking Heads.

Kretzshmar has had 9 solo shows, been in over 47 group shows, and exhibited his art at over 25 renown art fairs. His Bjork piece grabbed a headline.

His influence extended to the graffiti, club, and fashion scene. Designer Maripol featured his art on her clothing.