Ray Lowry

Ray Lowry [1944] , born in [Cadishead] , Salford is an English cartoonist, illustrator and satirist, possessing a highly distinctive style and wit. He has contributed to "The Guardian", "Private Eye", "Punch" and the "NME" amongst many other publications. Lowry currently lives in Rossendale, Lancashire.

Lowry is credited with designing the album cover of "The Clash"s 1979 album London Calling. As well the cartoons that made him famous in the 1970s and 80s, Lowry is also a painter of urban landscapes following in the footsteps of his namesake L.S. Lowry [no relation] . Lowry's love of raw 50s rock and roll was the perfect complement to the [then] new punk mentality. He saw the Sex Pistols infamous Anarchy tour at the Electric Circus in Manchester and there he met The Clash. A friendship struck up with the band which led to an invitation to accompany them on their 1979 tour of the USA. From this he created the unforgettable artwork for the Clash's London Calling album sleeve.

Lowry has continued to create memorable art and has recently produced a long series of colour images inspired by the 1960"s British tour by American rockers Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent. Ray Lowry is exhibiting a new collection of work, as well as a retrospective of his cartoons and illustrations, at the See Gallery in Crawshawbooth, Lancashire from 12th September until 7th November 2008.

elected Bibliography

Collections of his work

* Only Rock 'n' Roll 1980 ISBN 0-86104-320-0
* This Space to Let 1986 ISBN 0-349-12208-3
* Ink 1998 ISBN 1-899344-21-7

As an illustrator

* The Penguin Book of Rock and Roll Writing 1992 ISBN 0-14-016836-2
* Rock Talk 1994 ISBN 1-899344-00-4
* Funny Talk 1995 ISBN 1-899344-01-2
* A Riot of our Own: Night and Day with The "Clash" 1997 ISBN 0-575-40080-3