Dave Grohl and 'Nevermind' baby
Dave Grohl has said he hasn't spent lots of time thinking about the lawsuit filed about the iconic 'Nevermind' album.
In August this year, Spencer Elden the baby on the cover of the Nirvana Nevermind album sued the estate of Kurt Cobain and the surviving members of Nirvana. Spencer Elden has alleged the photo of the naked baby in the pool violated federal child pornography laws. He argues that it's child sexual exploitation.
In an interview with Vulture on Elden's claims, Grohl said "I don't know that I can speak on it. I haven't spent too much time thinking about it. I feel the same way most people do in that I have to disagree. That's all I'll say." In the past Elden has himself recreated the cover of the album several times. For instance writer of Vulture Craig Jenkins pointed this out and Grohl added "Listen, he's got a 'Nevermind' tattoo. I don't."
Earlier this year Grohl said he would be open to the idea of changing the cover of the album. "I have many ideas of how we should alter that cover. We'll see what happens." he told The Sunday Times. "We'll let you know. I'm sure we'll come up with something good."
Does Elden have good case for his lawsuit? Grohl said "I think that there's much more to look forward to and much more to life than getting bogged down in those kinds of things. And, fortunately, I don't have to do the paperwork."
Nirvana Merch
Elden requested his genitalia to be removed from all future release album covers. The attorneys said they will continue legal proceedings to "bring long-awaited privacy and dignity back to our client." They added "We implore the Nirvana defendants to right the wrongs of their past. By acknowledging the harm they have perpetrated and redacting the image of Mr. Elden's genitalia from further reproductions of 'Nevermind' because behind every cover is a person pleading for their privacy back." they added.
The lawsuit stated "The permanent harm he has proximately suffered includes but is not limited to extreme and permanent emotional distress with physical manifestations, interference with his normal development and educational progress. Lifelong loss of income earning capacity, loss of past and future wages, past and future expenses for medical and psychological treatment, loss of enjoyment of life, and other losses to be described and proven at trial of this matter,"
A 30th anniversary reissue of the album is due on 12th November. The images for the pre-orders still show the original cover artwork.
In an interview with Time magazine in 2016 Elden said "It's a trip. Everyone involved in the album has tons and tons of money. I feel like I'm the last little bit of grunge rock. I'm living in my mom's house and driving a Honda Civic. It's hard not to get upset when you hear how much money was involved." He adds. "I go to a baseball game and think about it. 'Man, everybody at this baseball game has probably seen my little baby penis.' I feel like I got part of my human rights revoked."
In conclusion if Spencer doesn't win his case I guess he can only say "Oh well, whatever, nevermind"