It was the subject of a lawsuit after the cover star said the photoshoot caused him “extreme and lasting emotional distress.”
But that didn’t stop Nirvana’s Nevermind from being voted the most iconic album cover of all time.
The 1991 album, featuring a striking image of a naked boy swimming underwater with a US dollar bill on a fishing hook, won 44 percent of the vote in a poll.
Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain is said to have had the idea for the picture while watching a TV show about water birth.
The baby, Spencer Elden, now 32, sued the group in 2021, claiming the photo involved sexual exploitation that caused him “extreme and lasting emotional distress”. The band dismissed the claims and a judge in California dismissed the case.
Nirvana’s “Nevermind” was voted the most iconic album cover of all time. The 1991 album, featuring a striking image of a naked boy swimming underwater with a US dollar bill on a fishing hook, received 44 percent of the vote
Nirvana’s Dave Grohl, Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic. Their breakthrough album Nevermind pushed Michael Jackson’s thriller to the top spot on the Billboard 200
Second on the list was Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (36 percent), which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
The iconic cover, produced by design agency duo Hipgnosis, focuses on a prism that reflects rays of light into space.
Opinion poll
Which album cover is YOUR favorite?
- David Bowie’s Aladdin Sane 1 votes
- Nirvana’s Nevermind 0 votes
- Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon 1 votes
- Fleetwood Mac rumors 0 votes
- The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band 2 voices
The meaning behind it has sparked much debate among fans. Some consider it a symbol of personal and psychological darkness, while others think it represents intellectual thinking and ambition.
But Storm Thorgerson, who was part of Hipgnosis, revealed in 2013 that Pink Floyd’s stage light show inspired the idea, while co-designer Aubrey Powell claimed it was the result of a prism on sheet music.
David Bowie ranked third in the poll (34 percent) with his 1973 album Aladdin Sane. On the cover, Bowie is seen with his eyes closed, made up with a lethal pallor and a flash of red and blue across his face.
The brief was simple, Bowie wanted a flash: something reminiscent of the Taking Care of Business logo Elvis had used since returning to the gig in 1969. The photo, taken by Brian Duffy, has become iconic in the world of music, fashion and art, appearing on clothing, walls, in galleries and even on homewares.
Fourth is Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (27 percent), released in 1967.
Originally designed by Paul McCartney, the final design was directed by British pop artist Peter Blake and his then-wife Jann Haworth and is a dazzling display of modern art that defined her era.
Second on the list was Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon,” which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The artwork’s meaning has sparked much debate among fans, with some suggesting it is a symbol of personal and psychological darkness
David Bowie’s 1973 album Aladdin Sane took third place. On the cover, Bowie is seen with his eyes closed, made up with a lethal pallor and a flash of red and blue across his face
The Beatles’ St Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was fourth on the list. Directed by British pop artist Peter Blake and his then-wife Jann Haworth, the final design is a dazzling display of modern art that defined her era
Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors was released in 1977 and completed the list of the five most famous album covers. More than 40 million copies have been sold worldwide. The cover features singer Stevie Nicks holding hands with drummer Mick Fleetwood
Amy Winehouse’s 2006 release Back in Black was her second and final album. The singer-songwriter died in 2011. The photo was taken by Mischa Richter, who explained in an article in the Guardian: “I feel privileged to have created the cover art for this great album.”
Beyoncé’s “I Am… Sasha Fierce” also made the top 30. The album was released in 2008 and references her alter ego “Sasha Fierce,” which the former “Destiny’s Child” star claims to have “created.” has [as it] Kind of protects me and who I really am.
Gorillaz’s “Demon Days” reached number one in the UK Albums Chart in 2005. It includes the hits “Feel Good Inc”, “Dare” and “Kids With Guns”.
The Rolling Stones released Sticky Fingers in 1971. It was the ninth British album by Mick Jagger and Co. The idea for the artwork came from Andy Warhol
Led Zeppelin’s Houses of the Holy received 10 percent of the vote. The 1973 album peaked at number one on the album charts
On the cover of Prince’s Purple Rain album, the legendary singer-songwriter sits on a purple 1981 Hondamatic motorcycle
The artwork, one of the most expensive ever created, cost almost £3,000 – more than £50,000 today – and sees the band in costume as Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band at the top. You are surrounded by 58 influential people.
Completing the five most famous album covers of all time is Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors (23 percent), released in 1977.
Other covers in the top 30 include Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” (21 percent), Beyonce’s “I Am… Sasha Fierce” (18 percent), Gorillaz’ “Demon Days” (18 percent), and the Rolling Stones’ “Sticky.” Fingers” (11 percent). percent), Led Zeppelin’s Houses of the Holy (10 percent), and Prince’s Purple Rain (14 percent).
The poll found that more than half of respondents say a good album cover is art, while 45 percent think it can define and represent an era.
Harriet Scott of research agency Perspectus Global, which commissioned the survey of 2,000 people, said: “Music is so much more than just the music.” Of course, great sound is an essential element, but cover art is an important part to create that excitement and excitement.
“Though the way we listen to music has changed over the years, the impact of cover art hasn’t diminished.” In fact, catching our attention and defining how is as important as ever we look at and interpret a certain album.”