This Scorpions album cover design is one of a collection of archival inkjet prints that we released in 2014, celebrating previously unpublished album cover art from the Hipgnosis archives. Lovedrive was the sixth studio album by the German heavy metal band, released in 1979. The cover caused some controversy upon the album’s release and was subsequently banned, with later pressings of the album bearing a simple design of a blue scorpion on a black background.

“Not exactly the most politically correct scene you’ve ever seen. I thought it was funny”, said Storm Thorgerson. In a 2010 interview, Scorpions singer Klaus Meine commented that “We just did not know it would be a problem in America, it was just sex and rock ‘n’ roll. It is odd that in America some of these covers were a problem, because in the 80’s when we would tour here, we always had boobs flashed to us at the front of the stage. Nowhere else in the world, just here. We just did not think it would be a problem to put out a record like Lovedrive in America.”

This is one of the few Scorpions album covers that was initially edited upon release in many places because of its controversial nature, only to have the original, uncensored art restored for the remaster series.

Anyone purchasing 5 or more prints from the set will receive their prints in a beautiful archival portfolio, screenprinted exclusively with a Hipgnosis logo designed by Aubrey Powell.

Signed by: Aubrey Powell

Image size: 19.5 x 19.5 inches / Paper size: 26 x 33 inches