Death of a Motown Official

[woodward]

http://www.freep.com/article/20140709/ENT04/307090156/1035/ent/Motown-logo-album-designer-Bernie-Yeszin-dead-73

A tragic end to a Motown Icon. Thanks for all you did in the early days of Motown.

[midnight johnny]

http://www.freep.com/article/20140709/ENT04/307090156/1035/ent/Motown-logo-album-designer-Bernie-Yeszin-dead-73

A tragic end to a Motown Icon. Thanks for all you did in the early days of Motown. RIP.....here are a number of his works for Motown and others....quite a remarkable portfolio..............http://www.discogs.com/artist/1845461-Bernard-Yeszin?page=1

[Lulu]

RIP.....here are a number of his works for Motown and others....quite a remarkable portfolio..............http://www.discogs.com/artist/1845461-Bernard-Yeszin?page=1

Wow. Thanks for the update...his images were iconic to all of us! :[[

[soulballad]

Most if not ALL of his album covers are etched in our minds. Another sad story

http://www.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/2013/05/14/bernie-yeszin-music-industry-legend-has-fallen-on-hard-times

[Crystaledwards]

http://www.freep.com/article/20140709/ENT04/307090156/1035/ent/Motown-logo-album-designer-Bernie-Yeszin-dead-73

A tragic end to a Motown Icon. Thanks for all you did in the early days of Motown.

Although perhaps not as tragic as the media is representing. Below is a comment Mr. Yeszin wrote in July, 2013, in response to an article published in the LA Weekly.

http://www.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/2013/05/14/bernie-yeszin-music-industry-legend-has-fallen-on-hard-times

http://avatars.fyre.co/a/146/ad55f6a48d38ae929e8acf069f24adbc/50.jpg?v=1374982461 [[http://www.myvoicenation.com/yez_2001)
yez_2001 [[http://www.myvoicenation.com/yez_2001) Jul 27, 2013The article is not the story of which was suppose to be, it was to be a story of renewal, and a about an artist ready to paint his masterpiece. Well that story is true as I have as studio, a backyard, and AIR CONDITIONING taboot. So all is well and my work is coming along just fine, with Daisy always at my side and bless her heart will do a show for the kids anytime ,

[marv2]

We all hoped for him, wished him well. Some did try to help his situation. Rest in peace Bernie, you were one of the giants. I will remember your contributions!


Marv

[BigAl]

Bernie Yeszin and Wally Mead really helped to give Motown a visual presence in the early days. The Where Did Our Love Go album cover still is capable of garnering attention. It reminded me a lot of, say, an Ikebana floral arrangement, and with great lighting. I never cared much for Mary's and Flo's wigs, and also didn't much care for the fact that Flo was a bit out of focus, but the composition was very sophisticated. Bernie's label logos were also very effective in establishing an easily recognizable visual corporate identity.

[stalebagel]

Big Al:
Who is Wally Mead? He is not a Motown alumni. Please do not take away the credit Bernie Yeszin deserves for creating those iconic covers.
Crystaledwards:
No, Bernie's situation was quite serious last year. Look for the postings on this forum attempting to raise money to help him. Mike Gormley, who wrote the LA Weekly piece, tried to tell Bernie many times that the editors distorted his article. But at least Bernie had one good year of sunshine with Daisy and was able to paint thanks to Jamie Hall.
And Daisy misses him dearly.

[BigAl]

Who is Wally Mead? He is not a Motown alumni..

On the original issues of several albums, the cover art was credited to Bernard Yeszin and Wallace Mead. Subsequent reissues showed only Yeszin's name.

[stalebagel]

Big Al:
Thanks for the reply.
I have never heard of Wallace Mead. There had to be a good reason why his name was dropped off the reissues and Bernie was given full credit.

[BigAl]

I took a shot in the dark and Googled "Yeszin Mead" and a link to the Tempts debut album turned up:

http://www.discogs.com/Temptations-Meet-The-Temptations/release/706524

Both men are credited on that page. Then, when I clicked on Mead's name there, a slew of albums popped up. That's as much as I know. Perhaps Mead could have been the photographer or something.

[motownjohnny]

On the original issues of several albums, the cover art was credited to Bernard Yeszin and Wallace Mead. Subsequent reissues showed only Yeszin's name.

I've just done a quick trawl through some albums and on the following Bernard Yeszin and Wallace Mead are credited with the cover design:

Stevie At The Beach - Stevie Wonder,
With A Song In My Heart - Stevie Wonder
Every Little Bit Hurts - Brenda Holloway
Beat - Roy Brooks and
A Bit Of Liverpool - The Supremes.

While on these the same names are credited as contributing both the cover photo and design:

Sings My Guy - Mary Wells
When I'm Alone I Cry - Marvin Gaye and
Plays The Compositions of Charlie Mingus - Pepper Adams.

Anyone know if Wallace Mead was more involved in photography rather than design/layout hence the specific photo mention on this second set of albums?

[stalebagel]

Motown Johnny and Big Al:

Thanks! I'm guessing Mead was a free-lance photographer because he was not an employee of Motown. Obviously he did some nice work.

[midnightman]

Rest in paradise.