Peter Steele's
Playgirl Feature

The Story Behind the Iconic 1995 Photoshoot

Peter Steele, frontman of Type O Negative, appeared nude in the August 1995 issue of Playgirl magazine as the centerfold feature. The photoshoot became one of the most memorable and talked-about moments in the band's history, generating significant cultural impact that has only grown over time.

Steele was compensated $2,000 for posing nude for the magazine. In an interview with Metal Hammer conducted shortly before his death in 2010, Steele revealed the specific conditions he negotiated for the shoot. He stated: "They sent me some past issues and I told them I would do it under one condition: my dick had to be hard." This detail underscores Steele's characteristic directness and willingness to push boundaries, traits that defined both his artistic persona and public image throughout his career.

The August 1995 Playgirl issue has become highly sought after by collectors. Recent eBay sales have reached nearly $800 for copies of the 30-year-old magazine, with some active listings asking prices in the thousands—the highest current asking price documented at $5,000. This dramatic appreciation in value reflects both Steele's iconic status and the rarity of pristine copies in the collector's market.

The photoshoot occurred during Type O Negative's peak commercial period. The band had released their self-titled debut album in 1991 and October Rust in 1996, establishing themselves as a major force in gothic metal. Steele's willingness to participate in such a provocative photoshoot aligned with the band's aesthetic of challenging conventions and embracing shock value as part of their artistic expression.

Steele passed away on April 14, 2010, from sepsis brought on by diverticulitis at age 48. His reflections on the Playgirl shoot in his final years demonstrated that he maintained a candid, unapologetic perspective on the photoshoot throughout his life.