Born Ioannis Vasilopoulos, and known as Ioannis, he was an internationally renowned artist and designer. The announcement at the Dangerous Age – The Art of Ioannis media (April 9, 2025) is:
“We announce with heavy hearts the passing of Ioannis, our beloved artist, husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He has left us for the great beyond. We find comfort in knowing he is reunited with his father, mother, family, and friends.
Ioannis was an internationally renowned artist and designer born in Athens, Greece. Arriving in the US in 1967, he grew up influenced by comic books, animation, fantasy art, and music. Music inspired his admiration of album cover art, specifically of Roger Dean and Storm Thorgerson (Hipgnosis). While he was in college, he created his first record cover and art directed the music video for the group Art in America, an MTV video breakout in 1983. The cover would later be featured in the book 1000 Record Covers by Michael Ochs. Ioannis’ work was featured in the books Fade To Black with Martin Popoff and Get the Led Out written by Denny Somach with a foreword by Carol Miller.
Over the years, he created award-winning campaigns, logos, and art for his clients. These included Universal Music, Sony Music, Starz, IFC Films, EMI, Virgin, and XM Satellite Radio. Ioannis also has designed over 350 record covers and merchandise for groups like Deep Purple, Allman Brothers, Bon Jovi, Uriah Heep, Styx, Blue Oyster Cult, Dream Theater, King Crimson, Bob Weir, Alan Parsons Project, Starship, Yngwie Malmsteen, VoiVod, Biohazard, Sepultura, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Fates Warning, Quiet Riot, Johnny Winter, Extreme, Jon Anderson (YES), Michael Bolton, and more.
He had several shows of his works throughout the US and continued selling his artwork worldwide until his passing.
Ioannis is survived by his wife Lisa, daughter Maria, son-in-law Conor, grandchildren Henry and Jack, brother George, sister-in-law Gaylene, niece Sophia, and sister Elizabeth.
The outpouring of love for Ioannis and his work is a great comfort. Ioannis wanted to do so many new things, and as a family, we have been tasked with continuing his work. His energy will live on through his incredible art. His bright smile and child-like excitement live on in his works. Ioannis will undoubtedly be remembered as one of rock’s all-time great artists.”
Crystal Logic was in touch with Ioannis for several years. Among the stories we discussed was Ioannis’ first meeting with Black Sabbath. In his words, back in 2020, we share an unpublished story about Ioannis’ connection with Black Sabbath:
“The first time I saw them as a kid, I was mesmerized watching them on my TV that April night, and finally saw what they looked like. They were 20-year-old kids, and they changed the world of music and my life. It was the California Jam show in April 1974. Many years later when I met Tony Iommi, I gave him a painting I had done of him for his house in England. I cried as he shook my hand. We were all in his hotel room after the concert with Black Sabbath and Blue Öyster Cult (which I did a cover for later). I told him how I got in trouble at school for skipping class to go buy Vol. 4 that had come out and also Socrates, a Greek band that loved them. I said thank you for the huge influence on my life. What a great guy and a true artist.”
Ioannis was also a great guy and a true artist. Our favourite album covers of his work will remain Fates Warning – The Spectre Within, Fates Warning – Awaken the Guardian, and Warlord – Thy Kingdom Come.
Thank you for everything.
