Born in New York City, Harvey was in the US Army in World War II, and later worked as a designer and photographer in the advertising industry on Madison Avenue.
In 1953, Jac Holzman, who had recently set up the Elektra label, asked him to design an LP sleeve for a release by the folk singer Hally Wood, which Harvey described as "the most god-awful music I ever heard".
For Elektra, compelling covers were essential to capture the eye of the browser and convey the drama of the music to people forced to buy on faith, because we had very little radio support, and retailers no longer provided listening booths.
[4] Cary Ginell wrote: "Bill Harvey created the label’s visual identity, using stark line drawings, high quality photography, whimsical ideas, abstract art, and even sex to help sell the albums.
He was responsible for striking images on LP covers, such as those for the Doors' album Strange Days, and Tim Buckley's Goodbye and Hello, often working with photographer Joel Brodsky.