Spencer Elden aka “Nirvana Baby” claims that the nude baby image featured on the band’s iconic album “Nevermiind” cover constitutes child pornography. Whatever you think of his claim, it’s hard to complain about this man who wants to be paid.
Is there anything more natural than when a Nirvana baby grows up desperately trying to catch money? You must have already read that Spencer Elden, the star of the iconic photo that graced the cover of the band’s classic Nevermind album, did this through litigation.
There are 15 defendants, including the surviving members of the group and the heirs of lead singer Kurt Cobain. The legal waters that Elden dives into as an adult are rather unpleasant. Elden argues that the nude image of herself “lustfully displayed” as a baby constitutes child pornography.
Non-sexual photos of babies are generally not considered child pornography under US law. If it counted, half the country’s baby albums would be in evidence boxes and Facebook would go bankrupt. But Elden’s lawyer claims that the real problem is the dollar bill, which was added to the photo later and Elden seems to be holding out his hand. We are told that with this setup, Elden looks like a “sex worker.”
But no. Just no. The exploitation of sex workers is a serious social problem. So is child pornography. Nevermind’s cover is neither. The controversial parts of the case (Elden also claims that her parents never signed for the photo to be published) are clearly aimed at public exposure (well done so far) and reconciliation (we’ll see). Really? It smells like teen money. Except, of course, that Elden is now over 30.
But although we are disgusted with the approach Elden and his lawyer have taken, it is difficult to complain about this man who wants to get paid. Before Elden even became conscious of pop culture or any other genre, he had unwittingly become part of a pop culture phenomenon.
Every generation X member with a vaguely alternative bent, and many who do not, have bought this album and know the picture in question. The album sold 30 million copies, still sells, and is among the most successful albums of all time.
Some of us have bought this album two or three times because we’ve worn it out by playing it over and over, or while we’re looking for extras on the special edition (money traps that the band’s record label, Geffen, released to further inflate their bank account with their earnings from the album).
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