Official response released from the Nirvana camp to Spencer Elden’s lawsuit over the “Nevermind” album cover artwork

Spencer Elden, who appeared on the cover of rock band Nirvana’s classic 1991 album “Nevermind”, recently sued the band and its management over the cover. Elden claimed that the cover was “child pornography” and sought damages of at least $150 000.

Elden later decided to edit his lawsuit to include, among other things, alleged excerpts from the late Kurt Cobain’s diary, which Elden uses to support his case.

Now the Nirvana camp has issued an official response to Elden’s legal challenge. UMG Recordings, Inc, Nirvana L.L.C, Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl, Courtney Love and album cover artist Kirk Weddle are linked to the response.

“The baby in the photograph is now a thirty-year-old man, the plaintiff, Spencer Elden. Elden has spent three decades profiting from his celebrity as the self-anointed ‘Nirvana Baby.’ He has re-enacted the photograph in exchange for a fee, many times; he has the album title ‘Nevermind’ tattooed across his chest; he has appeared on a talk show wearing a self-parodying, nude-colored onesie; he has autographed copies of the album cover for sale on eBay; and he has used the connection to try to pick up women.”

The response strongly denies that the cover image is child pornography as it is not “coupled with other circumstances that make the visual depiction lascivious or sexually provocative.”

You can read the full response here. The case is due to be heard on 20th of January 2022 in court.