Kurt Cobain’s $6 Million ‘MTV Unplugged’ Guitar Is Going On a “Worldwide Tour”

Forming Nirvana during the late 1980s with Krist Novoselic, Kurt Cobain struck a chord with music lovers as he shined a light on society at the time. Not afraid to perform songs about sensitive subjects, the group produced hits like “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” While selling over 75 million albums, Nirvana disbanded in 1994 after Cobain took his own life. While over three decades ago, the legacy of Nirvana continues to live on. And when it came to Nirvana’s famous MTV Unplugged performance, it seemed the guitar Cobain used would go on display at a new London exhibit. 

Having watched performances on MTV Unplugged before, Cobain wanted to offer fans a different take when Nirvana took the stage in November 1993. Unlike bands in the past that used the stage to perform their usual set, Nirvana went mostly acoustic. Unknown at the time, Cobain would take his own life a few months later in April. Becoming one of the most iconic performances from Cobain, the guitar he used, a Martin D-18E, became the most expensive guitar ever sold at auction. 

Landing in the hands of entrepreneur Peter Freedman, the founder of RØDE Microphones, for $6 million, he hoped to share the instrument with the world. “When I purchased this guitar, my intention was to have it begin a worldwide tour of exhibitions, to support performing artists.” He added, “I am delighted that this intent will be premiered at the Royal College of Music, London, with the first exhibition of its kind and will support talented musicians worldwide.”

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Kurt Cobain’s Guitar Not The Only Personal Item On Display

Expected to run from June 3rd until November 18th, the exhibit will give fans a sort of Nirvana time capsule with Cobain’s musical equipment, concert posters, and even a collection of vinyl records. But for most who travel to the exhibit, getting a chance to see the famed guitar was the main draw. 

Besides displaying the guitar, the exhibit will also display Cobain’s iconic green mohair cardigan that he wore during the performance. Bringing the two items together for the first time, the exhibit noted in a press release, “Step into the world of Kurt Cobain and explore the legacy of Nirvana, a band that defined a generation. Explore their iconic 1993 MTV Unplugged performance, one of Nirvana’s final televised appearances before Cobain’s death just five months later.”

For tickets to the event, please www.rcm.ac.uk/museum/exhibitions/kurtcobain.

(Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)