Uncovered: The Nirvana waterbaby breaks 17-year silence - Showbiz - Evening Standard
       

Uncovered: The Nirvana waterbaby breaks 17-year silence

It is one of the most iconic album covers in history: a naked baby boy floats underwater alongside a one dollar note attached to a fishing hook.

The multi-platinum selling record was Nirvana's 1991 breakthrough album, Nevermind, propelled to worldwide notoriety after the suicide of its tragic lead singer, Kurt Cobain.

And now, the identity of the three-month-old waterbaby has been revealed.

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Right: Spencer Elden speaks for the first time of his experience as the baby on the front of Nirvana's Nevermind album, left

He is Spencer Elden, a 17-year-old Californian High School student who has spoken for the first time of his bizarre cult status.

"It's kind of creepy that that many people have seen me naked," he told MTV News. "I feel like I'm the world's biggest porn star."

Spencer's parents received the modest sum of $200 for the picture which was taken by a friend of theirs, Kirk Weddle, a photographer with a penchant for underwater shots. He was approached by Nirvana - Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic - to photograph the album cover and needed a baby. The shoot was captured on just one roll of film.

"It's kind of cool knowing that I've been on an album cover," says Spencer, who works part time in a juice bar and who has a rare platinum record of Nevermind hanging on his bedroom wall. "I feel pretty normal about it because growing up, I've always known I was the Nirvana baby.

"At the time, my parents didn't know who Nirvana was. No one really knew who they were. And then all of a sudden, it took off, and I just happened to be on the album cover."

Besides bringing the Seattle grunge sound to the masses, Nevermind sold more than 26 million copies worldwide and ensured Nirvana's place in history as pioneers of the genre.

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