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Iconic guitar smashes records - 24th June 2020

An electro-acoustic guitar formerly owned by Kurt Cobain fetched a world record sum when it was auctioned last weekend. The legendary front man and tortured soul, Cobain, famously played the guitar in his band Nirvana’s world renowned 1993 “MTV Unplugged'' performance.

Martin Nolan directs the auction house which orchestrated the guitar’s 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.”

Purchased by Peter Freedman, the Australian who founded Rode microphones, the guitar is set for its own world tour, as the auction house reported the buyer’s intention to deploy the instrument to publicise the difficulties suffered by artists.

Meanwhile, having cost over 6 million dollars, the sale has smashed 5 world records, becoming the most paid for a guitar and for an item of Nirvana memorabilia.

Julien’s Auctions’ Martin Nolan reflects on Cobain’s legacy.

Martin Nolan: "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."