Devo, the American conceptual band, emerged onto the new wave music scene in the late 1970s with their unique fusion of sci-fi influence, deadpan humour, and exceptional songwriting. Their debut album, “Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!” introduced the world to their chaotic and bizarre electronic new wave tracks, and it achieved notable success in the UK, reaching number 12 on the album charts.
What many Devo enthusiasts may not be aware of is the captivating narrative behind the album cover of “Are We Not Men?” In the UK, the album features artwork depicting lead singer Mark Mothersbaugh in a mad professor getup, while the US version showcased a brightly coloured rendition of golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez. The band stumbled upon the image of Chi Chi Rodriguez on a package of golf balls in a department store and were immediately captivated by its peculiar, kitschy style, which aligned seamlessly with their own artistic vision.
However, the use of Rodriguez’s likeness without his consent and the consent of the golf ball manufacturers resulted in a legal battle and raised concerns from the vice president of business affairs at Warner Bros, who, being a fan of golf, feared that the band was ridiculing Rodriguez. In order to address these issues, Mothersbaugh presented an image of a composite face featuring US Presidents and instructed the record label’s art department to incorporate Chi Chi Rodriguez into it, resulting in a distinctive and surreal album cover that perfectly encapsulated Devo’s idiosyncratic nature.
Interestingly, by the time the album was released, Chi Chi Rodriguez had granted permission to use his likeness, but it was too late. The conflict over the cover led to the UK release featuring a simpler cover, highlighting the unexpected challenges Devo encountered in creating their iconic debut album artwork.
Despite the initial obstacles, the resulting album cover remains a true representation of Devo’s surrealist and eccentric style. The entire debacle, though unintentional, ultimately contributed to the band’s legacy and the enduring fascination surrounding the cover of “Are We Not Men?”