Frank Kozik, artist for The Offspring, Nirvana and Green Day, dead at 61
He created seminal imagery for many punk and rock bands
Last updated 10th May 2023
Frank Kozik, the revered artist who created album covers and posters for numerous punk and rock bands, has sadly died at the age of 61.
A statement on Frank Kozik’s social media accounts from his wife Sharon confirmed he passed away on Saturday (6th May). No cause of death has been revealed.
Kozik started designing posters for local punk bands while living in Austin in the 1980s, and he was later snapped up by the likes of blink-182, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, The White Stripes, Beastie Boys, Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stone Temple Pilots to name but a few.
Album covers Frank Kozik created in his unique and often darkly humorous style include The Offspring’s ‘Americana’, Queens of the Stone Age’s self-titled debut, and Melvins’ ‘Houdini’.
“Frank was a man larger than himself, an icon in each genre he worked in,” the statement shared by Kozik’s wife Sharon reads. “He dramatically changed the industry he was a part of. He was a creative force of nature. We are so beyond lucky and honoured to have been part of his journey, and he will be missed beyond what words could ever express.
He loved his wife, his cats, classic muscle cars, mentoring others, and Disneyland. His forceful presence will be missed by all who knew him. His legacy, like all great masters, will live on through his art and our memories of him.”
Alongside his memorable album covers and posters, Kozik also directed the music video for Soundgarden’s ‘Pretty Noose’. He also ran the influential San Francisco imprint Man’s Ruin Records from 1994 to 2001, which released music from the likes of Melvins, Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Orange Goblin and The Desert Sessions in its 7 year history.
In 2014, Frank Kozik joined Kidrobot as creative director. The company was one of the earliest creators of designer art toys in America.