Clash illustrator Ray Lowry dies

Rock cartoonist Ray Lowry, best known for his work on The Clash's classic 1979 album London Calling, has died at the age of 64.

He was found dead at his home in Lancashire on Tuesday.

He contributed illustrations and cartoons to NME throughout the 1970s and 1980s as well as Punch, Private Eye and The Guardian, among others.

Lowry accompanied The Clash on their 1979 tour of the US and later designed the artwork for London Calling.

Collectors

He had met the band during the Sex Pistols' now infamous Anarchy tour at the Electric Circus, Manchester.

Lowry also had four collections of his drawings published: Only Rock and Roll, This Space to Let, Ray Lowry - Ink and The Clash, Up-Close and Personal.

His work has been widely admired by collectors and celebrities, including the late BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel, artist Damien Hirst, comedian Phill Jupitus and musician Patti Smith.

An exhibition of Lowry's work is running at the See Gallery in Rawenstall in Lancashire, until 7 November.

Curator Julian Williams said it was the first solo exhibition of Lowry's work.

"Ray was regarded as Britain's best rock cartoonist, but he was also a very, very intelligent man, commenting on religion and politics as well as music," he added.