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Who is the model on the cover of 1986’s ‘Slippery When Wet’?
Bon Jovi’s 1986 album *Slippery When Wet* helped propel the band to American stardom, pairing polished arena rock with major hits such as ‘You Give Love a Bad Name’ and ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’. Its cover was changed after the record label became concerned that the original, more provocative artwork could hinder the band’s growing popularity with women.
Aspiring model Angela Chidnese was recruited by photographer Mark ‘Weissguy’ Weiss to pose as the car wash attendant for the original cover shoot in New Jersey. Mercury reportedly manufactured up to 200,000 copies featuring a model in a wet yellow T-shirt before replacing the image with the familiar black bin bag marked with the album title; the original design was released in Japan.
In short
- Angela Chidnese modelled for the original cover.
- The label replaced it with the black bin bag design.
- The T-shirt cover was released in Japan.
Explained simply
Bon Jovi are an American rock band whose third album, Slippery When Wet, became a major success in 1986. Its songs helped establish the band as a popular arena-rock act.
The cover was changed after the record label raised concerns about the original image. Photographer Mark “Weissguy” Weiss had recruited aspiring model Angela Chidnese for a car-wash-themed photo shoot in New Jersey.
Some early copies reportedly used the photograph, while the widely recognised cover showed the album title written on a black bin bag. The original design was released in Japan, and the two versions have since become part of the album’s history.