James Albert Ladwig

Grammy Award winning designer and six time nominee for packaging, died from cancer in his Vero Beach home on April 2, 2014.

Jim was born March 9, 1934 in Oak Park, IL to Elsie Clara Meyer and William Carl Ladwig. His father’s passing at a young age and his being raised by a hard working mother influenced choices that he made throughout his life and helped him to become the wonderful man he was. Working from a young age, he caught the eye of a local businessman who was interested as to what he planned for the future. Jim’s response that he liked to draw led to his showing the businessman his work. It was suggested that he pursue this in school and try and make a living in art. After college he found out about an opening in the art department at Mercury Records, so he designed an album cover to add to his portfolio and the rest is history.

Jim was drafted into the Army while at Mercury Records where his curiosity and love of people and places really began to take off. While at boot camp in Ft. Huachuca, AZ a friend received his orders for France. How Jim got to go doesn’t need to be told but his crossing and arrival in Bremerhaven, Germany on Christmas Eve 1957 was a sign as to the charmed life he could make for himself. Stationed in La Rochelle, France he took every opportunity to travel and explore. Standing in the rain at Le Mans in 1958 sparked an already existing fascination with cars and speed that would remain and grow throughout his life. He also learned to appreciate chicory coffee, oysters and ‘love’… precious to him always.

With his discharge in 1959, PFC Ladwig returned to Chicago but Mercury Records no longer had an art department. He was referred to Norman Graphics where the work was being done and rose to the position of Art & Advertising Director. Mercury pioneered “black sound” under the brilliance of co-founder Irvin Green so Jim’s job was demanding. He designed albums for Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, The Platters and Louis Armstrong. Mercury also had its share of pop singers such as Vic Damone and The Four Seasons and artists like Frankie Lane, Patti Paige and The Smothers Brothers. The list is endless and so was the pressure, so when Jim was approached by a printing vendor with an idea, Jim listened.

In 1968, Don Kosterka’s idea to broker printing jobs for clients in the music business became a reality and Album Graphics was started. Even with Jim’s creative abilities and Don’s business and printing expertise, the fledgling company needed more. The third partner, Richard Block, solidified what would turn out to be an amazing success story. To backtrack though, Irwin Steinberg, then chairman of Polygram labels called Jim one day with a proposal. If Album Graphics would provide all their album artwork on a budgeted basis, he would give them all their printing. This solid foundation allowed Jim to build an amazing creative staff in LA, NYC and Chicago. The company gained a reputation that spread from coast to coast as a manufacturer that delivered quality goods no matter how complicated or unusual. They attracted great people, Design and Grammy Award winners, and Jim loved his collaboration with these talented artists within and outside of the company.

These are just a few album designs by this group and printed by AGI… The Eagles: Hotel California; Fleetwood Mac: Rumors; Supertramp: Breakfast in America; Strange Days: The Doors; The Rolling Stones: Tattoo You, Emotional Rescue, Some Girls; Rod Stewart: Every Picture Tells A Story, Never A Dull Moment, Gasoline Alley; The Faces: Ooh La La; Ohio Players: Angel, Fire, Honey. Some of the creative community, whose work he admired or who meant so much to Jim, have also passed away but some are still out there. Jim always felt honored to work with you… Ed Careaff, Kim Champagne, Peter Corriston, John Craig, Bob Defrin, Andy Engel, Jeff Gold, Jeri Heiden, Bob Heimal, Joe Kotleba, Ed Lee, Richard Mantel, Basil Pao, Tommy Steele, Dez Strobel, Storm Thorgerson, Ed Thrasher, Rick Valencenti, Roland Young… again, just to name a few. To Rod Stewart and Quincy Jones, know that he appreciated and always remembered his time with you in those early years.

The company has changed a lot since the days when Ed Dwyer was in charge of the LA office and Richard Block was in NYC, but Jim never let change do anything but inspire him. During his career, he was nominated for six Grammy Awards for packaging: his 1st while at Mercury in 1963 for Bach’s Greatest Hits. In 1973, Jim designed Ooh La La for the Faces from a photo of Gastone, a character in top hat from an Italian opera. The eyes rolled and the mouth opened into a strange smile when you pressed down on the top of the cover… that was Jim’s 2nd nomination. The Ohio Players were recording an album for STAX records and Jim was approached to come up with a design. The song ‘Honey’ was written because of that design and he won the Grammy for best album cover for this erotic gatefold jacket in 1975.

In 1986, Jim created the Digipak with AGI; a plastic alternative to the standard plastic jewel box for CDs. Unlike so many, Jim loved the CD format and as major labels repackaged their back catalogs, reissues were often enclosed in Digipaks. In the 60’s, Album Graphics had turned a square 12′ record jacket into endless possibilities for designers to express themselves. Now, the molded tray became the art director�s first choice due to the flexibility that the Digipak allowed. Jim was inspired by Japan Sleeve’s beautiful work which resulted in the first CD special package for R.E.M. on Warner Bros. Jim became the premier designer for ‘limited edition special packaging’ which he loved doing because once again, he got to throw around ideas and work with great companies and people. He received his 4th nomination in 1990 for Special Edition Anita Baker: Compositions and his 5th in 1993 for R.E.M.: Automatic For The People. Jim was nominated in 1996, for the 6th time, for Frank Sinatra’s Complete Reprise Studio Recordings. The 20 CD’s came housed in a miniature trunk that stands a foot high, weighs 10 lbs and is covered by vinyl that resembles actual leather. Jim wanted the travel motif to represent Sinatra’s journey to success from Hoboken to Hollywood.

His efforts in the advancement of entertainment related packaging design, won Jim an ‘Alex Packaging Awards – Lifetime Achievement Award’ in 2005. He said “I am humbled by this honor… it’s a nice closure for this career and gives me a chance to go over all this stuff and remember all the wonderful relationships”. Jim believed in something that his partner, Richard, had read years ago… “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not: unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education is not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Determination and persistence alone are omnipotent.” Jim never thought of himself as talented… just in the right place at the right time… 100% ready to jump in with both feet.

Jim was up before dawn each day of his life… anticipating a great day. Before work he would go to the East Bank Club in Chicago or run at the Lakefront or around Central Park in NYC. As his knees started talking he would cycle between Lincoln Park and Evanston or the bridges in Vero. Time and age could never stop his desire to be outside each morning. Over the years, he had buddies that he would meet at 6:30am at Peet’s in Chicago or Panera in Vero… something he so enjoyed. He loved cars and vintage raced at Road America, Mid Ohio, Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta, Daytona & Sebring. He joined Targa66, started by Vero’s Brian Redman, and enjoyed his time on the track at Moroso Raceway and Roebling Road. He and his wife enjoyed various rallies with ‘the Chicago Gang’ and participated in the Copperstate 1000, the California Mille, and the Colorado Grand where they eventually were awarded ‘2003 Prime Motoring Fools’. Jim got pleasure from all his cars but he most often would be behind the wheel of one Porsche or another. Most of all he loved to travel, planned or on the fly… the U.S. or Europe or Asia. He loved to drive the twisting roads; hop on trains, busses or metros; walk the streets of cities and villages. He was always open and fearless and thrilled by each new experience no matter where… and of course… always up at dawn!

He loved living in Chicago where he had so many ties and friends… just sailing on Lake Michigan or going to the Art Institute, Grant Park, the Lincoln Park Zoo or the theater. He always considered Chicago home but never wanted to leave Vero once he got settled there. Weeks after taking delivery of a 20′ Grady White Tournament he headed through the locks with the Grady Bunch for a west coast adventure… and that was it. He embraced boating and the people he met and couldn’t have enjoyed his time more. Over the years he joined the Riverside Theatre, the Vero Beach Museum, the Jazz Society, the Lyric, the Sunrise Theater, McKee Gardens, the Moorings Yacht Club and the VBYC.

Jim’s youthful exuberance, his keen interest for anything and everything worthwhile, his curious and gentle manner, and the loyalty and appreciation he has always shown will be his true legacy. He is survived by his wife, Paula Bisacca-Ladwig; his son, Michael W./ daughter-in-law, Theresa Peters/grandchildren, Connor and Taylor; his son, David P./daughter-in-law, Kate Roth/grandson, Charlie; and his daughter, Jennifer L.

He was an amazing father, grandfather, husband, friend, mentor, innovator, collaborator, and designer.

Donations can be made, in his name, to the American Cancer Society for research in Glioblastoma(GBM).
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Granddaughter Taylor, prior to her 12th birthday, wrote this for her “grandpa” before his passing:

FAMILY HERO:
JIM LADWIG
by Taylor from Los Angeles

“Everyone’s version of the perfect hero varies, to some a hero could be a person that fights crime, while others envision a hero as a lifesaver. My grandfather, Jim Ladwig is and always has been my hero. My perfect version of a hero is someone who doesn’t just do one kind act, a hero is someone who does their very best every day. My grandfather has been my version of a hero every day. He is my role model and friend. He inspires and motivates me, he also can make every situation a little bit better. He also has done countless other achievements and that’s what makes him a hero to me and my family. Through his life he has been thrown many surprises and handled them with the best of his ability. What makes him a hero isn’t the deeds that he has done, but I know that what makes him a hero is how he inspires others.

My grandfather has done many things so far in his lifetime, some acts on his part were courageous while others were just simple and ordinary. In his early twenties Jim served in the army and was stationed in France. Soon after coming home he got married and had three kids, one being my father. Later in life he choose to follow his passion which was art, and he became a album cover designer for many years. After years of hard work and countless nominations he was given a Grammy in 1976 for best album cover of the year. Hard work and talent helped him along the way with his ability never to give up.

A hero is someone you strive to be like. A hero is a person that has done something with their life that you think of to be remarkable. Two of my favorite achievements of my grandpa is that one year he was chosen to run the Olympic torch through Chicago. Another achievement of his was when one year he decided to sail across the Atlantic Ocean. During the trip he stopped in many places along the way. Recently my grandpa was diagnosed with brain cancer and still lives every day to the fullest.”

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Please enjoy the photos, in the gallery below the condolences, these were included with the writing.