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Nirvana guitar makes record - 24th June 2020

A guitar auctioned last weekend has set a new record. Formerly owned by Kurt Cobain, the band Nirvana’s front man and troubled genius, it was famously played in the group’s 1993 “MTV Unplugged” performance.

Martin Nolan, the executive director of the auction house, facilitated the sale.

Martin Nolan: "He sadly passed away in 1994 but in November 1993, Kurt Cobain was invited to participate in the MTV Unplugged and he did that in November 1993 in New York City. An incredible performance, all in one take, 14 songs.”

The guitar’s buyer was Australian music businessman Peter Freedman, who founded Rode microphones. According to the auction house, Freedman intends to take the guitar on tour to highlight the problems of artists. Setting 5 new records by the sale, with the final price exceeding 6 million dollars, the guitar is now the world’s most expensive, as well as the most expensive Nirvana memorabilia.

Martin Nolan of Julien’s Auctions: "Kurt Cobain certainly left a huge memory for everyone and then, because his career was so short and because he died so tragically at age 27, you know, people gravitate towards that and they want to hear his music, they want to see the videos, they want more."