 The album was released on November 4 , 1977 under the name Rocket to Russia , though it had a working title of Get Well . John Gillespie directed the artwork on the album , and the cover photo was taken by Danny Fields . Arturo Vega is credited as Artistic Coordinator , and Punk magazine editor John Holmstrom illustrated for the album . Holmstrom and Johnny collaborated on the back cover 's concept , eventually conceiving a military theme with an anti @-@ communist cartoon drawing . The back cover art depicts a " pinhead " riding a rocket from the US to Russia . The drawing features many landmarks which pertain to their global position , including The Empire State Building and Capitol Building , and Saint Basil 's Cathedral in Moscow . The original artwork is now featured in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland , Ohio . The inside sleeve features cartoon illustrations of each song 's basic concept . 
