Van Halen’s latest album cover came from SMU’s DeGolyer Library

by Teresa Gubbins

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Inspiration for A Different Kind of Truth came from photo by Robert Yarnall Richie.

Van Halen's A Different Kind of Truth

DALLAS — Van Halen, who will perform on Wednesday at American Airlines Center, has a Dallas connection in the cover of its February release, A Different Kind of Truth. The cover showing a streamlined Art-Deco train came from a photo that resides at SMU's DeGolyer Library.

According to a release from SMU, Van Halen singer David Lee Roth sent his idea for a cover, one that included a photo of the 1930s-era Henry Dreyfuss-designed locomotive, to Los Angeles-based SMOG Design, Inc., who've done covers for Katy Perry, Tom Petty, Britney Spears, and the Decemberists.

SMOG co-owner John Heiden's internet search led him to DeGolyer's collection by the work of Robert Yarnall Richie, an industrial designer known for mid-century modern designs. Richie's collection of 95,000 negatives, films, manuscripts, and photo equipment was acquired by Everett L. DeGolyer, Jr. in the 1970s.

A Different Kind of Truth is Van Halen's first album in 14 years and represents the reunion of Roth with guitarist Eddie Van Halen and drummer Alex. Bassist Michael Anthony has been replaced by Wolfgang Van Halen, Eddie's son. Van Halen canceled its tour as of June 26, but the Dallas date is still on.