Rodney Matthews Explained

Rodney Matthews
Birth Name:	Rodney Clive Matthews
Birth Date:	6 July 1945
Birth Place:	Paulton, England
Field:	Painting, drawing, conceptual design
Movement:	Fantasy art, science fiction, surrealism

Rodney Matthews (born 6 July 1945) is a British illustrator and conceptual designer of fantasy and science-fiction.

Career

Trained at the West of England College of Art, Matthews worked in advertising for Plastic Dog Graphics before turning freelance in 1970, initially under the name Skyline Studios.^{[1] [2]}

Matthews has painted over 140 subjects for record album covers, for many rock and progressive rock bands.^[3] More than 90 of his pictures have been published worldwide, selling in poster format,^[4] as well as many international editions of calendars, jigsaw puzzles, postcards, notecards, snowboards and T-shirts. His originals have been exhibited throughout the UK and Europe. He has been a regular exhibitor at the Chris Beetles Gallery,^[5] in London's West End, where he met English comedian, actor, writer and producer John Cleese,^[6] an avid collector of his work.

Matthews has illustrated numerous books, including those by English fantasy and science fiction author Michael Moorcock.^{[7] [8]} Their collaboration in the 1970s resulted in a series of 12 large posters, depicting scenes from Moorcock's Eternal Champion series. These images were also used for a 1978 calendar entitled "Wizardry and Wild Romance".^[9]

In 1998, Matthews and the late Gerry Anderson completed Lavender Castle, a 26-episode stop-motion/C.G. television series for children.^[10] It was produced at Cosgrove Hall Films in Manchester and purchased by ITV for the UK.^[11] Matthews has also contributed concept designs for the 2005 film The Magic Roundabout.^[12]

He supplied conceptual designs for computer games such as the Sony/Psygnosis game Shadow Master^[13] and , published by Midway.^[14] Matthews has produced some publicity and a logo for the green energy company Ecotricity.^[15]

He has also written lyrics and played drums on a music album influenced by his images; American guitarist Jeff Scheetz, John Payne (Asia) on bass guitar, Oliver Wakeman (Yes) on keyboards and Pete Coleman (composer and multi-instrumentalist).^[16]

Album covers

Album covers (including EPs, LPs and DVDs)^[17] :

• 1965, Pentworth's People, demo cover
• 1971, Thin Lizzy, New Day (EP)
• 1971, Fred Wedlock, The Folker
• 1971, Ian A. Anderson, A Vulture Is Not a Bird You Can Trust
• 1971, Pigsty Hill Light Orchestra, Piggery Jokery
• 1971, Various artists, The Great White Dap (EP)
• 1972, Amon Düül II, Live in London
• 1972, Dave Evans, Elephantasia
• 1972, Hillbilly Jazz, Vol. 1
• 1972, Hillbilly Jazz, Vol. 2
• 1972, Hunt & Turner, Magic Landscape
• 1972, Ian A. Anderson, Singer Sleeps on as Blaze Rages
• 1972, Various artists (feat. Little Richard, Sam Cooke and more), This Is How It All Began
• 1973, Al Jones, Jonesville
• 1973, Art Rosenbaum, Five String Banjo
• 1973, Bola Sete, Ocean
• 1973, Captain Lockheed and the Starfighters, Ejection (EP)
• 1973, Dave Carlsen (feat. Noel Redding, Keith Moon & Spencer Davis), Pale Horse
• 1973, David Stone & Allan Schiller, Delius
• 1973, Fred Wedlock, Frollicks
• 1973, Hamish Imlach, All Round Entertainer
• 1973, Stefan Grossman, Aunt Molly's Murray Farm
• 1973, Stefan Grossman, Contemporary Ragtime Guitar
• 1973, The Dartington String Quartet, Shostakovich
• 1974, Brinsley Schwarz, Golden Greats
• 1974, Geoffrey Woodruff, Live (6" LP)
• 1974, Old Pete, Old Pete (6" LP)
• 1974, Old Pete, Old Pete's Christmas Story (6" LP)
• 1974, Various artists, Some People Play Guitar Like a Lotta People Don't!
• 1975, Halfbreed, Halfbreed
• 1976, 20th Century Steel Band, Yellow Bird Is Dead
• 1977, Bo Hansson, Music Inspired by Lord of the Rings
• 1979, Nazareth, May The Sun Shine (single)
• 1979, Nazareth, No Mean City
• 1980, Magnum, Chase the Dragon
• 1980, Praying Mantis, Praying Mantis (single)
• 1980, Praying Mantis, Time Tells No Lies
• 1981, Praying Mantis, Cheated (EP)
• 1981, Tygers of Pan Tang, Crazy Nights
• 1982, Bitches Sin, Predator
• 1982, Diamond Head, Borrowed Time
• 1982, Eloy, Planets
• 1982, Eloy, Time to Turn
• 1982, Scorpions, Lonesome Crow
• 1983, Magnum, The Eleventh Hour
• 1984, Eloy, Metromania
• 1984, Tigermoth, Tigermoth
• 1985, Magnum, On a Storyteller's Night
• 1986, Motherlode, The Sanctuary
• 1987, Diamond Head, Am I Evil
• 1987, Magnum, Mirador
• 1988, Magnum, Kingdom of Madness
• 1988, Magnum, Magnum II
• 1988, Tigermoth, Howling Moth
• 1989, Full Moon, Full Moon
• 1989, Magnum, Foundation
• 1990, Detritus, Perpetual Defiance
• 1990, Seventh Angel, The Torment
• 1991, Praying Mantis, Predator in Disguise
• 1991, Rick Wakeman, 2000 A.D. Into the Future
• 1991, Seventh Angel, Lament for the Weary
• 1991, White Metal Warriors, Last Ship Home
• 1992, Asia, Aqua
• 1992, Asia, Who Will Stop the Rain? (single)
• 1992, Magnum, Only in America (single)
• 1992, Magnum, Sleepwalking
• 1992, Rudi Dobson & Rodney Matthews, The House on the Rock
• 1992, Veni Domine, Fall Babylon Fall
• 1993, Barclay James Harvest, Caught in the Light
• 1993, Gethsemane Rose, Tattered 'N' Torn
• 1993, Magnum, Archive
• 1993, Magnum, Keeping the Nite Light Burning
• 1993, Stairway, No Rest: No Mercy
• 1994, Rodd & Marco, Jurassic Church
• 1994, Veni Domine, Material Sanctuary
• 1995, Asia, Arena
• 1995, Rick Wakeman, The New Gospels
• 1995, Tradia, Welcome to Paradise
• 1996, Asia, Archiva Vol. 1
• 1996, Asia, Archiva Vol. 2
• 1996, Crucifer, Hellbound Angel
• 1997, Magnum, Stronghold
• 1999, Oliver Wakeman & Clive Nolan, Jabberwocky
• 2000, Doug King, The Snugldorfs
• 2003, Asia, Different Worlds Live
• 2003, Asia, Live in Moscow (DVD)
• 2003, Barclay James Harvest, 25th Anniversary Concert (DVD)
• 2003, Hawkwind, Welcome to the Future (2CD/DVD Box)
• 2003, Magnum, A Winter's Tale (DVD)
• 2003, Squidd, Twice Upon a Time (3 Track CD)
• 2003, Steve Hackett, Horizons (DVD)
• 2003, Uriah Heep, Live in the USA (DVD)
• 2003, Various artists (feat. Fairport Convention, Lindisfarne, The Strawbs and more), Folk Rock Anthology (DVD)
• 2003, Various artists (feat. Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Saxon and more), Hard Rock Anthology (DVD)
• 2003, Various artists (feat. Keith Emerson, Jon Lord, Rick Wakeman and more), Keyboard Wizards (DVD)
• 2003, Various artists (feat. Lynard Skynyrd, Free, Asia, Magnum and more), Rock Anthems (DVD)
• 2003, Various artists (feat. Mick Box, Steve Howe, Jan Akkerman, Toni Iommi and more), The Guitar Wizards: Presented By Mick Box (DVD)
• 2003, Various artists (feat. Uriah Heep, Asia, Nektar and more), The International Classic Rock Festival (DVD)
• 2003, Various artists (feat. Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Focus, Rick Wakeman and more), The Progressive Rock Anthology (DVD)
• 2003, Various artists (feat. Caravan, Curved Air, Family and more), The Underground Anthology (DVD)
• 2004, John Lawton Band, Shakin' the Tale (CD/DVD)
• 2004, Uriah Heep, Magic Night (CD/DVD)
• 2005, Russell Allen & Jørn Lande, The Battle
• 2006, Nazareth, The Very Best of Nazareth
• 2007, Magnum, Princess Alice and the Broken Arrow
• 2007, Russell Allen & Jørn Lande, The Revenge
• 2007, Stormzone, Caught in the Act
• 2008, Bob Catley, Immortal
• 2008, Hawkwind, Out of the Shadows (CD/DVD)
• 2008, Jeff Scheetz, Behind the Mask
• 2008, Magnum, Wings of Heaven Live
• 2008, V-Rats, Intelligent Design
• 2009, Magnum, Into the Valley of the Moon King
• 2009, Roxxcalibur, NWOBHM For Muthas
• 2010, Magnum, The Gathering
• 2010, Russell Allen & Jørn Lande, The Showdown
• 2010, Stairway, Interregnum
• 2011, Atkins May Project, Serpent's Kiss
• 2011, Magnum, The Visitation
• 2011, Roxxcalibur, Lords of the NWOBHM
• 2012, Atkins May Project, Valley of Shadows
• 2012, Frog Riders, Utterly Spontaneous
• 2012, Geoff Whitely Project, Confidential Whispers
• 2012, Magnum, On the 13th Day
• 2012, Tygers of Pan Tang, Ambush
• 2013, Avantasia, The Mystery of Time
• 2013, Geoff Whitely Project, Yetoto
• 2014, Atkins May Project, Empire of Destruction
• 2014, Jeff Scheetz, Rodney Matthews & Friends (John Payne, Oliver Wakeman, Bob Catley & Pete Coleman), I Saw Three Ships (Single)
• 2014, Magnum, Escape from the Shadow Garden
• 2014, Rick Wakeman, Fields of Green
• 2015, Nazareth, No Means of Escape
• 2015, Praying Mantis, Legacy
• 2015, Starquake, Times That Matter
• 2016, Magnum, Sacred Blood "Divine" Lies
• 2016, Seeing Red, Keep the Fire Burning
• 2016, The Rolling Stones, Another Time, Another Place
• 2017, The Rolling Stones, Time on Our Side
• 2017, The Rolling Stones, Painted Black
• 2018, Magnum, Lost on the Road to Eternity
• 2018, The Dukes of the Orient, The Dukes of the Orient
• 2018, Praying Mantis, Gravity
• 2020, Ellesmere, Wyrd
• 2021, Blind Golem, A Dream of Fantasy
• 2023, Magnum, Here Comes the Rain

Books

Anthologies:

• 1985, Rodney Matthews & Nigel Suckling, In Search of Forever, Dragon's World (n.b. there is also a Japanese edition; there was also a UK book club edition, published by Guild).
• 1989, Rodney Matthews & Nigel Suckling, Last Ship Home, Dragon's World.
• 1990, Rodney Matthews & Nigel Suckling, Voyages Extrêmes, Vents d'Ouest (n.b. this is the French edition of Last Ship Home).
• 1997, Rodney Matthews & Nigel Suckling, Countdown to Millennium, Collins & Brown.

Portfolios:

• 1990, Rodney Matthews & Nigel Suckling, The Rodney Matthews Portfolio, Dragon's World.
• 1993, Rodney Matthews & Pauline Fisk, The 2nd Rodney Matthews Portfolio, Dragon's World.
• 1994, Rodney Matthews & Nigel Suckling, Rodney Matthews (Paper Tiger Miniatures), Paper Tiger.

Illustrated books:

• 1974, The Blue Planet Series: Book 1: Blast Off!, Childs Play (International) Ltd.
• 1974, The Blue Planet Series: Book 2: The Journey, Childs Play (International) Ltd.
• 1974, The Blue Planet Series: Book 3: On the Planet, Childs Play (International) Ltd.
• 1974, The Blue Planet Series: Book 4: Back to Earth, Childs Play (International) Ltd.
• 1978, Rodney Matthews & Graham Smith, Yendor: The Journey of a Junior Adventurer, Big O Publishing.
• 1980, Michael Moorcock, Stormbringer, United States: Archival Press.
• 1986, Cheryl Evans & Anne Millard, Usborne Illustrated Guide to Norse Myths and Legends, Usborne.
• 1987, Cheryl Evans & Anne Millard, Usborne Illustrated Guide to Greek Myths and Legends, Usborne.
• 1987, Cheryl Evans & Anne Millard, The Usborne Book of Greek and Norse Legends, Usborne.
• 1987, Michael Moorcock: A Collaboration with Rodney Matthews, Elric at the End of Time, Dragon's World.
• 1994, Felicity Brooks, Tales of King Arthur, Usborne.
• 1998, Felicity Brooks, Tales of King Arthur & His Knights, Usborne.
• 1999, Doug King & Rodney Matthews, The Snugldorfs – Smile God Loves You! United States: Cepher.
• 2008, Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland, Templar (foreword by John Cleese).
• 2010, Rodney Matthews & Marco Palmer, The Fantastic Intergalactic Adventures of Stanley & Livingston, Rodney Matthews Studios.

Paperback covers:

Stephen R. Lawhead

• 1990, The Paradise War, Lion Books.
• 1991, The Silver Hand, Lion Books.
• 1992, The Endless Knot, Lion Books.

A. Merritt

• 1977, The Face in the Abyss, New York: Avon Books.
• 1977, The Moon Pool, New York: Avon Books.

Michael Moorcock

• 1976, Legends From the End of Time, W. H. Allen (image: Mongrove).
• 1976, The End of All Songs, Granada/Mayflower (image: Lord Jagged of Canaria).
• 1976, The Transformation of Miss Mavis Ming, W. H. Allen (image: The Return of the Fireclown).
• 1979, The Bull & The Spear, Granada (image: The Hound Master of Kerenos).
• 1979, The Knight of the Swords, Granada (image: In the Flamelands).

Andre Norton

• 1977, Spell of the Witch World, Wyndham/Universal.
• 1977, Three Against the Witch World, Wyndham/Universal.
• 1977, Web of the Witch World, Wyndham/Universal.
• 1977, Witch World, Wyndham/Universal.
• 1978, Sorceress of the Witch World, Wyndham/Universal.
• 1978, The Year of the Unicorn, Wyndham/Universal.
• 1978, Trey of Swords, Wyndham/Universal.
• 1978, Warlock of the Witch World, Wyndham/Universal.

Clark Ashton Smith

• 1976, Other Dimensions: Volume 1, Panther/Granada (image: Venus Cruiser).
• 1976, Other Dimensions: Volume 2, Panther/Granada (image: The Ghoul).

Others:

• 1977, Michael Moorcock (Editor), England Invaded: A Collection of Fantasy Fiction, W. H. Allen (image: The Monster of Lake La Metrie).
• 1978, John Crowley, Beasts, Orbit/Futura (image: The Old Shot Tower).
• 1978, Patricia A. McKillip, The Forgotten Beasts of Eld, New York: Avon Books.
• 1978, Josef Nesvabda, In the Footsteps of the Abominable Snowman, New English Library.
• 1979, Robert Lynn Asprin, The Bug Wars, New English Library.
• 1985, Andrew Chapman, Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone Present: Seas of Blood (Fighting Fantasy), Puffin Books.
• 1986, Joseph O'Neill, Land Under England, Penguin Books (image: Beneath the Wall).
• 1987, Worlds Without Words (Educational Resources), 4mation.
• 1988, Jack Vance, Green Magic: The Fantasy Realms of Jack Vance, Tor (image: The Last Armada).
• 1988, Jack Vance, Grüne Magie, Heyne (image: Tiger Moth).
• 1992, Colin Duriez, The Tolkien and Middle-Earth Handbook, Monarch.
• 1992, Naomi Starkey, Ends of the Earth, Minstrel/Kingsway.
• 2009, Mark Jones, Bristol Folk, BFP (Matthews contributed a written piece and the book includes many of his images)
• 2010, George Russell, Where the Bugs Wear Boots, George Russell Associates.

(Rodney Matthews' images have also been used on many international editions, particularly for Moorcock's German publishers.)

Magazine covers:

Vortex: The Science Fiction Fantasy:

• Vol. 1 No. 1, January 1977: Vortex, 1976.
• Vol. 1 No. 2, February 1977: Space Hijak, 1976.
• Vol. 1 No. 3, March 1977: Out of an Amber Sky, 1976.
• Commissioned, but unused: Metropolis Trap, 1977.
• Commissioned, but unused: The Crab, 1977.

Imagine (published by T.S.R. Hobbies (UK) Ltd):

• No. 1, April 1983: Elric and Moonglum, 1976.
• No. 9, December 1983: Imagine, 1982.
• No. 12, March 1984: The Guardian Awakes, 1982.
• No. 22, January 1985: Earl Aubec of Malador, 1984.
• Issue and date unknown: Araneida the Destroyer, 1983.
• Sales leaflet cover: Who Disturbs the Tyrant?, 1983.

FAB – The Gerry Anderson Fan Magazine:

• No. 32, 1998.
• No. 36, 1998.

Others:

• Software Communications Magazine, The Fury, 1988.
• Skivor & Band, The Rainbow Room, 1993.
• Classic Rock Trade Magazine, The Hop, 2003.

Bands and recordings

Bands:

• The Cheetahs
• The Rhythm Cats
• Pentworth's People
• Barnaby Goode
• Originn
• Squidd

Recordings:

• Pentworth's People: Demo on vinyl (2 tracks)
• Squidd: Twice Upon a Time (3-track CD)
• Frog Riders: Utterly Spontaneous – Jam Session (7-track CD)
• Rudi Dobson & Rodney Matthews, featuring Tony Clarkin: The House on the Rock (3-track CD)
• Jeff Scheetz, Rodney Matthews & Friends (John Payne, Oliver Wakeman, Bob Catley and Pete Coleman): I Saw Three Ships (1-track CD)
• Rodney Matthews and Oliver Wakeman: In the Bleak Midwinter (3-track CD)
• Rodney Matthews and Jeff Scheetz with Oliver Wakeman: Trinity (10-track CD and 13-track double vinyl)

Notes and References

1. Book: The rock years 1969–1988. Read. Al. 2003. Broadcast Books. Brace. Terry. 9781874092827. Bristol. 10. 851743737.
2. Web site: Matthews, Rodney . . 29 October 2015.
3. Web site: Portfolio. 2021-10-11. Rodney Matthews Studios. en.
4. Web site: Rodney Matthews . Artists UK . 29 October 2015.
5. Web site: Berghammer . Billy . Haven Artist Revealed . Nintendo World Report . 29 October 2015.
6. Web site: Rodney Matthews . Dutch Progressive Rock . 29 October 2015.
7. Web site: Rodnet Matthews . 10 April 2012 . John Guy Collick . 29 October 2015.
8. Web site: Rodney Matthews . Get Ready to Rock . 29 October 2015.
9. Web site: Rodney Matthews: One of the world's top graphic designers talks about his Christian faith . . 29 October 2015.
10. Web site: Lavender Castle (1999) . Toon Hound . 29 October 2015.
11. Web site: Lavender Castle . IMDb . 29 October 2015.
12. Web site: Rodney Matthews . https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140812004403/https://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2bc1d93d10 . dead . 12 August 2014 . . 29 October 2015.
13. Web site: Shadow Master Review . Games Spot . 29 October 2015.
14. Web site: Rodney Matthews Creates Artwork for Midway's Haven: Call of The King . 4 May 2012 . Game Zone . 29 October 2015.
15. Web site: Nu Jerusalem . Ecotricity . 29 October 2015.
16. Web site: Rodney Matthews releases Christmas CD I Saw Three Ships and Exclusive Art . With Guitars . 29 October 2015.
17. Web site: Portfolio. 2021-10-11. Rodney Matthews Studios. en.