Storm Thorgerson, the British graphic artist best known for designing the iconic cover of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon album, has passed away at the age of 70.

Thorgerson was one of the foremost members of the British art collective Hipgnosis, with whom he designed some of the most famous album art for bands like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Genesis, Scorpions and more. Later in his career, Thorgerson worked on artwork for bands like The Mars Volta, Muse and The Cranberries.

Thorgerson befriended Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, Syd Barrett and David Gilmour while the three were high school students in Cambridge, UK. He went on to design most of the band’s artwork throughout their career. Gilmour released a statement today which reads:

We first met in our early teens. We would gather at Sheep’s Green, a spot by the river in Cambridge and Storm would always be there holding forth, making the most noise, bursting with ideas and enthusiasm. Nothing has ever really changed.

He has been a constant force in my life, both at work and in private, a shoulder to cry on and a great friend.

The artworks that he created for Pink Floyd from 1968 to the present day have been an inseparable part of our work.

I will miss him.

David Gilmour

Thorgerson is survived by his mother Vanji, his son Bill, his wife Barbie Antonis and her two children Adam and Georgia.