Nirvana Accused of Child Pornography in Recent Lawsuit

The baby who became the face of one of the most iconic albums in American music history is all grown up. Now, 30 years later, he is suing for lifelong damages.

Spencer Elden was just four months old when he graced the cover of Nirvana’s 1991 album “Nevermind” with his naked baby body, swimming after a dollar bill on a hook.

The federal lawsuit claims that he couldn’t consent due to his age and that his parents didn’t give consent either.

The lawsuit reads, “Neither Spencer nor his legal guardians ever signed a release authorizing the use of any images of Spencer or of his likeness, and certainly not of commercial child pornography depicting him.”

His suit also claims that the image is child pornography, and alleges that the band broke a promise to cover his genitals before publication.

Kurt Cobain had allegedly demanded that photo in particular. It is further alleged that Cobain said he would only consider making one alteration to the picture: placing a sticker that reads, “If you’re offended by this, you must be a closet pedophile” over the infant’s genitals.

Elden’s documents further claim that the band should’ve protected him from sexual exploitation. He says he’s suffered lifelong damages from his naked baby body being plastered all over the world.

Elden told TMZ, “Nirvana exploited me when I was a baby to sell their music, but there is a person behind every image. I’m just asking the band to do what they should have done 30 years ago and redact my genitals from the image out of respect for my privacy.” He goes on to say, “If the world could forget about it, then maybe I could forget about it too.”

Elden has long claimed that he nor his parents have been compensated for the photo beyond the initial $200 his parents were given that day. The new lawsuit addresses the alleged claim that no documents were signed to allow the band permission to use the picture in the first place.

 

He’s seeking at least $150,000 in damages from each of the defendants, including surviving band members Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic; executor of deceased frontman Kurt Cobain’s estate, Courtney Love; managers of Cobain’s estate, Guy Oseary and Heather Parry; art director Robert Fisher; photographer Kirk Weddle; and a number of existing or defunct record companies that released or distributed the album in the last three decades.

 

Follow Riiver Nihil:  Gettr   Instagram

Follow Tatum Report:  Gettr   Instagram   Twitter   Facebook

Join The Discussion

Related Posts
Total
16
Share