Memorial to Bruce Steinberg

The "Christmas Corner"

All year

It's been almost one year since Bruce left us... I still can't believe he's gone, the healing process is slow, but it is getting better, as Bruce would want for us.

Bruce was not a religious man (he told me he couldn't believe in a God who would allow such awful things to happen in the world), but he did enjoy the festivities of the season. In fact, there was one corner of Bruce's house where the Christmas lights and decorations stayed up all year - he called it "the Christmas corner". I think the Christmas corner stayed decorated all year partly because Bruce was too busy to take it down, but also because he just enjoyed the sparkle.

Bruce certainly embodied the giving spirit of the season, year around - he was generous with his time, money, encouragement, advice, support, and his love.

Season's greetings to you, B* - we miss you.

Bruce's many album covers

1955-2008

Bruce contributed to the creation of 97 albums, and was working on another cover when he passed away on December 30, 2007. Bruce's work included designing whole albums, designing album covers, photography, and art direction - and for many albums, he wore all four hats.

Bruce also played harmonica on several albums.

We are all familiar with the covers Bruce designed for Tower of Power and the Doobie Brothers, and I thought it would be nice to acknowledge some of his other album covers. I have scanned and posted just 15 of Bruce's 97 album covers. Scroll down through this tribute site and enjoy the creative genius of Bruce Steinberg.

Erroll Garner, "Concert by the Sea" album cover

1955 / 1968

Bruce took the photo on the cover of this album, and is credited on the back. The album was originally released in 1955 or 1956, and was reissued in 1968. Bruce was given the assignment from Columbia Records to take a photo in Carmel for the reissue. I found two different versions of this album cover, one with Bruce's photo and one with a similar photo taken by Art Kane. Of course, Bruce had no association with the original album, as he was only 12 years old in 1955.

Bruce mentions the assignment to take this photo in his discussion on the Janis Joplin "Kozmic Blues" photo, see his website: http://www.brucesteinberggallery.com/index.htm
Click on the small photo of Janis and scroll down.

Elvin Bishop, "Elvin Bishop Group" album cover

1969

Although Bruce is not credited on the album itself, the Bruce Steinberg page on the AllMusic website credits him with graphic design and photography. The only photo credits on the album read, "Photos by Hank Lebo"; Bruce's name does not appear anywhere on the cover.

It's A Beautiful Day, self-titled album, front cover

1969

Bruce is credited with cover design and photography on this album cover. See below for the photos that Bruce took for this cover, on the inside and back.

Bruce also played harmonica on this album, on the song, "Hot Summer Day".

It's A Beautiful Day, self-titled album, cover inside

1969

Bruce took this photo on the inside of the self-titled It's A Beautiful Day album. When opened, the inside of the album cover is too large to get the whole thing on my scanner, so the left and right edges of the photo are missing.

It's A Beautiful Day, self-titled album, cover back

1969

Bruce took this photo on the back of the self-titled It's A Beautiful Day album.

Mike Bloomfield / Alan Kooper, "The Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield & Al Kooper" album cover

1969

Bruce did not design this cover, but did contribute a photo, so I am posting this scan of the front cover for identification purposes. Bruce contributed the photo of John Kahn on the back cover, and is listed in the credits. (The cover illustration was done by Norman Rockwell.) See below for the back with Bruce's photo.

Mike Bloomfield / Alan Kooper, "The Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield & Al Kooper" album cover back

1969

Bruce took the photo of John Kahn, center photo at the bottom of the cover.

Hot Tuna, "Burgers" album cover

1972

Bruce designed this cover and took all the photographs. He told me that when they did the shoot for these photos, they worked all afternoon. Just as the last rays of the sun were fading away, the guys climbed into the car for one more shot. Bruce had only one frame left on his film - he tripped the shutter and got the image they ended up choosing for the front of the cover. See below for the inside and back of the album.