Nevermind – but Nirvana is being sued by the man pictured naked as a baby from the front of the famous album cover.
Spencer Elden – who is depicted in a swimming pool, grasping for a dollar bill – claims the image is child exploitation and his parents never signed a release so the snap could be used.
The shot was created by underwater photo specialist Kirk Weddle who set up a studio in the pool in Los Angeles.
Spencer was passed in front of the camera by an assistant who blew a puff of air in his face to wrinkle his nose.
The fishhook and dollar bill was later slipped into the photo at frontman Kurt Cobain’s direction.
But what are the secrets of other famous album covers? Daily Star checks out well-known records.
Oasis – What’s the Story Morning Glory
(Image: Daily Record)
Noel and Liam Gallagher were originally supposed to be the two figures passing each other on the street.
But a boozy sesh the night before meant they didn’t turn up for the 5am shoot in London’s Soho.
Instead, the sleeve photographer, Brian Cannon, jumped in along with BBC radio DJ Sean Rowley.
Cannon said: “The idea was that you had these two guys passing in the street. “You didn’t have any idea who they were, where they were going, what they were saying to each other.”
Blink 182 – Enema of the State
Blink-182 enlisted porn star Janine Lindemulder to don a glove and nurse’s uniform for this cover.
Photographer David Goldman said: “Up until the last minute, the album was going to be called Turn Your Head And Cough. And that’s why I came up with the idea of the glove.”
Lindemulder is now 52, has an OnlyFans account and was married to Sandra Bullock’s ex Jesse James.
David Bowie – Blackstar
Bowie fans have scoured this sleeve for meaning.
The black star itself represents mortality – it was the singer’s final album – while the fragmented stars spell out “Bowie”.
The album is said to glow blue under ultraviolet light.
If you leave it in direct sunlight, a starry galaxy appears over the main image – connect the dots and you can draw a star man.
Some fans also found reflecting light off one side projects an image of a star on to the opposite wall.
Paul McCartney / Linda McCartney – RAM
Check out the letters hidden halfway down the right-hand side – they spell out L.I.L.Y.
It’s a message to Macca’s wife, standing for Linda I Love You.
Paul married Linda Eastman in 1969, however she sadly died in 1998 after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995. She was just 56.
Ram was released in 1971, two years after the duo married.
Kanye West – The College Dropout
It is actually Kanye in that Dropout Bear costume, sitting sadly on some steps.
He was adamant his face shouldn’t be shown but the bear was a coincidence – it just happened to be at the school where the album photoshoot had been booked.
Kanye is currently gearing up to release his 10th album – Donda – which had its launch date pushed back to August 27, after initially being scheduled for late July.
Harry Nilsson – Pussy Cats
Released by Nilsson and produced by John Lennon with some input from Ringo Starr, it was made at a time when all three were partying hard.
The original title Strange Pussies was rejected by the record company but the artists managed to include some naughtiness.
There is a block with a D on the left and another with an S on the right, plus a rug in the middle – DRUGS.
Beastie Boys – Licensed to III
The plane’s serial number reads 3MTA3. Reversed, that reads: “EAT ME.”
The band’s then-producer Rick Rubin saw a photo of Led Zeppelin’s private jet and said he wanted to “embrace the larger-than-life rock ’n’ roll lifestyle” with the image.
He also reckons if you view it sideways, it looks like a willy – so it sounds like you can have a lot of fun with this one…
Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here
The album’s lyrics talked about the dark side of the record industry after ex guitarist Syd Barrett left the band due to mental health issues.
And the record cover reflects the then-common saying “I’ve been burned” as in “I’ve been ripped off”.
Two businessmen wearing suits are shaking hands to make a deal but one of them is on fire.
They hired a stuntman, set him alight, and a photographer finally got the shot on the 15th take.
Stormzy – Gang Signs & Prayer
(Image: PA)
The balaclava-clad men seem like stereotypical gang members.
But it actually looks like a famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci – The Last Supper – which depicted Christ and his disciples before he predicted his betrayal.
Stormzy is in Christ’s seat but unlike the original, the others are all staring straight ahead rather than arguing.
There are also similar bowls, plates and cups – alongside a PlayStation controller.
Roxy Music – Roxy Music
The band have featured models including Jerry Hall in their artwork.
But for their debut, singer Bryan Ferry chose Kari-Ann Muller – who was paid a measly £20 for the job.
Bond girl Muller, who appeared in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, also featured on the artwork for Mott the Hoople’s 1974 album The Hoople.
She retired to become a yoga teacher but has another musical connection – she’s married to Mick Jagger’s brother Chris.
Notorious B.I.G. – Ready to Die
The identity of another naked baby was debated for years – was it the rapper himself, one of his kids or someone else all together?
It was Keithroy Yearwood, who had been hired by a kids’ modelling agency.
He only made $150 (£109) but has come to see it as an honour.
He says: “When I first found out about it, it wasn’t a big deal to me. Now, of course, it’s a big deal to me.”
Michael Jackson – Dangerous
There’s a lot going on in this cover but the overriding theme seems to be the razzle-dazzle of showbiz on the outer part – with the dog kings, bird queens and elephants being ridden by clowns – and its dark side further in.
Circus showman PT Barnum is featured at the bottom, opposite a child holding the skull of a great beast, and MJ is depicted as a guarded circus artist.
It appears to reflect how he felt trapped by his fame but still wanted to be King of Pop.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
