15 Years of Touring the World to Uncover the Most Horrible Album Covers – Have You Witnessed Something Worse?

WHEN it involves album covers, some musicians hit the suitable word.

This week Nirvana’s 1991 launch Nevermind, that includes a unadorned child swimming underwater subsequent to a greenback invoice, was voted probably the most iconic of all time.

Nirvana’s 1991 launch Nevermind was voted probably the most iconic album cowl of all timeCredit score: Handout

DJ Michael Sumner has spent 15 years and £2,000 trawling the globe to search out his choose of the very WORST album paintingsCredit score: Provided

However DJ Michael Sumner, 48, has spent 15 years and £2,000 trawling the globe to search out his choose of the very WORST album paintings.

The document vendor, from the Isle of Wight, who has amassed a 500-strong assortment of surprising and ugly sleeves, says: “It began out as a little bit of enjoyable however then I realised how hilarious they have been and made my guide, 101 Horrible Document Sleeves.

“Some you take a look at in horror, others would by no means be made immediately. After which there are a couple of the place you surprise, ‘What the hell they have been pondering?’ ”

Right here, Michael shares a few of his favorite photos from the guide.

•  Michael Sumner’s 101 Horrible Document Sleeves is accessible at blackwells.co.uk.

Clinkers – The First ClinkersCredit score: Michael Sumner / 101 Horrible Document Sleeves

CLINKERS – The First Clinkers: “There are solely 100 copies of this cowl on the planet – and thank God for that. One of many songs was even shockingly named The Nice Poofter.”

The Billy Cobham/George Duke Band – Stay On Tour In EuropeCredit score: Michael Sumner / 101 Horrible Document Sleeves

THE BILLY COBHAM/GEORGE DUKE BAND – Stay On Tour In Europe: “Ten out of ten for musicianship, however one for the sleeve because it jogs my memory of the fingers from Evil Useless 2.”

Tubby Boots – Goes ToplessCredit score: Michael Sumner / 101 Horrible Document Sleeves

TUBBY BOOTS – Goes Topless: “The US cross-dressing entertainer made probably the most of his 26st 11lb body. He used to connect pasties to his man boobs to swing about.”

Varied Artists – High Szene HamburgCredit score: Michael Sumner / 101 Horrible Document Sleeves

VARIOUS ARTISTS – High  Szene Hamburg: “That is fairly genius and equally revolting. I don’t know who would wish to take a look at it, not to mention put up the accompanying poster.”

Kjell Kraghe – Vind I SeglenCredit score: Michael Sumner / 101 Horrible Document Sleeves

KJELL KRAGHE –  Vind I Seglen: “I like sleeves with what seems to be like horrible Photoshop. This one is nautical ­nonsense and makes him seem like a pleasant sea monster.”

Fritz Fetzer – Petra Pilz/ Schaffa On WualaCredit score: Michael Sumner / 101 Horrible Document Sleeves

FRITZ FETZER – Petra Pilz/Schaffa On Wuala: “The whole lot is simply odd. From the badass performer to the truth that they minimize off the scantily clad ladies’s heads to suit him in.”

Paddy Roberts – Songs For Homosexual CaninesCredit score: Michael Sumner / 101 Horrible Document Sleeves

PADDY ROBERTS – Songs For Homosexual Canines: “This got here out in 1963 when ‘homosexual’ was generally used to imply joyful. Or who is aware of, possibly there’s a giant marketplace for homosexual canine?”

Johnny Deal with – She’s A Large Lass, She’s A Bonny LassCredit score: Michael Sumner / 101 Horrible Document Sleeves

JOHNNY HANDLE – She’s A Large Lass, She’s A Bonny Lass: “I imply, the pained expression on her face is priceless. How he satisfied her to pose for this I’ll by no means know.”

Tozovac – JeremijaCredit score: Michael Sumner / 101 Horrible Document Sleeves

TOZOVAC – Jeremija: “A number of the finest sleeves are from Serbia. Dressing as a dictator and posing with a phallic-looking weapon between your legs is past weird.”

Boned – Up At The CrackCredit score: Michael Sumner / 101 Horrible Document Sleeves

BONED – Up At The Crack: “Is {that a} guitar in your pants or are you simply happy to see me? This ­typifies the numbskull rock sleeves impressed by the likes of Spinal Faucet.”

Johnny Guitar Watson – A Actual Mom For YaCredit score: Michael Sumner / 101 Horrible Document Sleeves

JOHNNY GUITAR WATSON – A Actual Mom For Ya: “I like that he went to the lengths of pimping a pram to make it seem like a limo after which acquired somebody to push him about.”

Michael Sumner’s 101 Horrible Document Sleeves is in the stores from Blackwells and Amazon.