Ken Kelly was a fantasy artist who created iconic album covers for the rock band KISS including their album ‘Destroyer.’
KISS cover artist
Ken Kelly was a fantasy artist who created iconic cover art for the classic KISS albums ‘Destroyer’ and ‘Love Gun.’ He was known for his work on horror comics including ‘Creepy’ magazine. He worked on fantasy hero publications, especially in the sword and sorcery genre. Kelly created cover art for many metal and rock bands and is probably best known for his KISS album covers in the 1970s. He also did cover art for the bands Manowar, Rainbow, and Coheed and Cambria.
Notable Quote
“I had always thought it was [KISS’] Gene Simmons, but Criss’ wife said it was he who was reading [me] while Gene and Paul Stanley were reading Marvel.” Criss was fundamentally responsible for me ending up being the cover guy.” – He told Print magazine that KISS drummer Peter Criss was responsible for his work with the band
Tributes to Ken Kelly
Saddened to learn of the death of artist Ken Kelly, one of Warren’s greatest cover painters, and the man who gave KISS their dramatic album jackets. I loved his work. pic.twitter.com/vcpk87Y9kf
— I Bought That Comic ?? ? (@BoughtThatComic) June 5, 2022
RIP Ken Kelly, legendary artist best known as the creator of two of the greatest album covers of all time, @kiss – Destroyer and Love Gun. He passed away on Friday at the age of 76. I was lucky enough to meet him several years ago at a KISS convention and get these signed. pic.twitter.com/DLH7QklrgE
— Matt the King (@MattTheKing) June 5, 2022
Heard about Ken Kelly passing away ? Amazing artist ! Did stuff for Conan The Barbarian plus did several album covers for Manowar, Rainbow, and the KISS albums I have here. I still love the cover for Destroyer ! Probably one of my top 10 favorite album covers ! #kenkelly pic.twitter.com/QHn8HvmBYz
— Mindy_DeVil ??? (@Mindy_DeVil) June 6, 2022
Sorry to hear artist Ken Kelly has died. I first encountered him at the beginning of his 50-year career, through his early covers for Castle of Frankenstein. He went on to do much more — including album covers for Kiss — but that early work will always have a place in my heart. pic.twitter.com/zSyvCpo79P
— Scott Edelman (@scottedelman) June 5, 2022
So much great stuff out there, but given the artist Ken Kelly’s recent passing last week: we should take note of his iconic work with KISS pic.twitter.com/3Jhko8CmJK
— Bear Midkiff (@BearMidkiff) June 6, 2022
Full Obituary: Loudwire
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