Spencer Elden is a man who reportedly appeared as the baby submerged in water on the cover of Nirvana’s “Nevermind” album in 1991. Elden is suing the band and accusing the photographer of exploiting him.
The Nevermind album sold over 30 million copies and was certified platinum by the RIAA.
Elden Sues Nirvana. “According to the docs, Elden claims Kurt, Dave Grohl and the rest of the band failed to protect and prevent him from being sexually exploited … and he says having his naked baby body plastered on a famous album caused him to suffer lifelong damages.” [TMZ]
Elden Says Album Cover Sent Him To Therapy. “Mr. Elden, an artist living in Los Angeles County, has gone to therapy for years to work through how the album cover affected him, said Maggie Mabie, one of his lawyers. “He hasn’t met anyone who hasn’t seen his genitalia,” she said. “It’s a constant reminder that he has no privacy. His privacy is worthless to the world.”” [NY Times]
Claims Sex Trafficking Venture Connected To Album. “He’s also suing for distribution of private sexually explicit materials, negligence, and what’s described as a “sex trafficking venture” where Elden “was forced to engage in commercial sexual acts while under the age of 18 years old.”” [Pitchfork]
Lawsuit Calls Album Cover “Obscene.” “Fisher created an image which focused on Spencer’s genitals to increase the shockingly obscene nature of the image. Spencer’s true identity and legal name are forever tied to the commercial sexual exploitation he experienced as a minor which has been distributed and sold worldwide from the time he was a baby to the present day.” [Lawsuit]
Elden Complained In 2016 He Hadn’t Been Paid For Cover. “The iconic album cover seems to have been a source of mixed pride and anger for Elden for awhile — in 2016, the year he turned 25, Elden was profiled by Time Magazine and expressed frustration that he had yet to see really any money from his likeness being used on the cover.” [The Wrap]
Elden Recreated Album Cover As Adult, Has Nevermind Tattoo. “Spencer Elden, 25, wanted to go au naturel when he made a splash to honor the legendary grunge band, he told The Post. “I said to the photographer, ‘Let’s do it naked.’ But he thought that would be weird, so I wore my swim shorts,” said Elden, an artist from LA.” [NY Post]
Video: Spencer Elden interview about Nevermind cover from 2016:
One of the first political bloggers in the world, Oliver Willis has operated OliverWillis.com since 2000. Contributor at Media Matters for America and The American Independent. Follow on Twitter at @owillis. Full bio.
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