Bad bunnies and brilliant blunders: World’s Worst Record Covers exhibition hits Mansfield
(with the ‘Bunny Man’ in tow!)
An award-winning exhibition celebrating the world’s most gloriously awful record covers is hopping into Mansfield this summer - and for one unforgettable weekend, the musician behind the infamous ‘bunny’ sleeve that started it all will be there in person.
Worst Record Covers in the World opens at Mansfield Museum and Art Gallery from Saturday 6 June to Saturday 29 August, with a special launch event on Friday 5 June - featuring a very special guest: John Thompson (JT), former frontman of Hollywood rock band, Peter Rabbitt.
JT is the unlikely star of one of the exhibition’s most beloved covers - Roadstar - which features five rabbits gathered around a magician’s hat, their faces (including JT’s) somewhat questionably superimposed onto bunny bodies. It’s bizarre, it’s baffling… and it’s exactly the kind of thing that inspired collector Steve Goldman to begin what has become a touring phenomenon!
Steve first discovered the album in the 1980s, picking it up for just 10p thanks to its strange artwork. Years later, after rediscovering it online via Discogs, he simply declared to his family: “I’m going to start collecting dreadful album covers” and the rest, as they say, is history!
Nearly a decade on, that idea has grown into a hugely popular exhibition that has toured galleries, museums, and festivals across the UK - earning praise from comedians and presenters including Mark Radcliffe, Stewart Lee and Samira Ahmed - and even picking up the ‘Spirit of the Festival’ award at the Leicester Comedy Festival.
The collection also inspired a book, The Art of the Bizarre Vinyl Sleeve by Simon Robinson, which will be available to purchase at the exhibition.
Now boasting over 700 records, Steve will bring 400 of the funniest, strangest and most jaw-dropping sleeves to Leeming Street to display at Mansfield Museum and Art Gallery for the summer. Visitors can vote for their favourites, listen to tracks from the albums (including Roadstar), and take part in a playful ‘crap or classic cover’ activity. There will also be activities for children, making it a fun and engaging visit for all ages.
Wherever the exhibition travels, Roadstar remains a firm fan favourite - so Steve was delighted when JT himself got in touch.
Speaking about the cover, JT said:
“When I saw it featured, my reaction was ‘Well, finally!’ We always thought it was a terrible cover - like Invasion of the Bunny Body Snatchers. We actually had nothing to do with it. It was our manager’s idea, and it surprised us as much as anyone!”
JT, now 74 and still performing in bands in California, added:
“I thought I’d left my Peter Rabbitt days behind me, but I’m really looking forward to visiting the UK and enjoying some newfound fame at the exhibition in Mansfield.”
Steve said:
“People often ask if any of the artists have ever got in touch, so for it to be the one that started it all is just incredible. I can’t wait to meet JT and thank him in person. This whole journey has been the stuff of dreams.”
Christopher Neil, Cultural Services Manager at Mansfield District Council, said:
“We’re really excited to bring this unique exhibition to Mansfield Museum and Art Gallery. Music has always been a huge part of people’s lives here in Mansfield, and we know many of our residents and visitors are passionate about music and its history. This exhibition offers something a little different; a chance to explore that world from a completely new angle, and for some, it may even be their first visit to the museum. We’re proud to be able to offer experiences like this that are fun, engaging and accessible to everyone.”
Steve carefully curates the collection with one rule in mind: the covers must be unintentionally funny. He explains:
“I love records where someone has tried to do something creative and it’s gone horribly wrong! But it’s all good, clean fun. I don’t include anything offensive or inappropriate.”
Following a stroke in 2020, Steve now also encourages visitors to make a donation to Different Strokes, which supports younger stroke survivors, if they are able to.
The exhibition is free to attend and runs at Mansfield Museum and Art Gallery on Leeming Street, open 10am to 3pm Tuesdays to Saturdays.
Prepare to laugh, cringe, and maybe discover your new favourite ‘worst’ album cover of all time. We can’t wait to see you there!