Alton Kelley

The co-creator of the Grateful Dead's skull and roses and a founding force behind Berkeley Bonaparte.

Alton Kelley (June 17, 1940 – June 1, 2008) was an American artist renowned for his psychedelic art, specifically designing 1960s rock concert posters and album covers. Along with Rick Griffin, Stanley Mouse, Victor Moscoso, and Wes Wilson, he founded the Berkeley Bonaparte distribution agency to produce and sell this unique artwork. Kelley is credited alongside Stanley Mouse for creating the iconic skull and roses image for the Grateful Dead, as well as the wings and beetles featured on all Journey album covers.

Quick Facts

Birth name

Alton Kelly

Born

17 June 1940

Birthplace

Houlton, Maine

Died

1 June 2008

Place of death

Petaluma, California

Known for

concert posters
logos
album covers
fine art

Movement

Psychedelic art

Lore & Background

Kelley worked closely with fellow artist Stanley Mouse in 1966-1967 at their shared studio located at 715 Ashbury, directly across the street from the famous 'Grateful Dead house.' This period defined the visual language of the era. Kelley's artwork on the 1971 self-titled live album, Grateful Dead, notably incorporated a black and white illustration of a skeleton by Edmund Sullivan. This specific image originally appeared in a 19th-century edition of the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, which Kelley adapted for the band's release.

Reader's Guide

Alton Kelley was born on June 17, 1940, and passed away on June 1, 2008, at the age of 67 after a long illness. His journey began in Connecticut before he became a central figure in the San Francisco art scene. For fans seeking to understand his contributions, look for the skull and roses image he co-created with Stanley Mouse for the Grateful Dead. Additionally, identify the wings and beetles on Journey album covers as his joint work with Mouse. In 1971, verify the Edmund Sullivan skeleton illustration on the Grateful Dead live album. His legacy also includes the 1995 Jack Kerouac poster for the Jan Kerouac Benefit Fund and the 1996 King's X Ear Candy cover.