Kurt Cobain`s smashed guitar sold for $595,900

During the 80s and 90s, rock and metal enthusiasts experienced an intense period. Many of the coveted musical instruments they yearned for were ruthlessly destroyed by rock stars. Among them was Kurt Cobain’s left-handed Fender Stratocaster guitar, which he famously smashed. Kurt Cobain`s smashed guitar recently sold at auction for a staggering $595,900 (£479,750).

Who is the lucky buyer of Kurt Cobain`s smashed guitar?

The guitar was destroyed in the early 1990s. It has been put back together but is no longer playable. It is signed by all three band members with a silver marker and contains a loving note from Kurt Cobain to his friend Mark Lanegan, who passed away last year. Since Kurt Cobain was known for often misspelling his own name, he signed the instrument “Kurdt Kobain“.

Auction house Julien`s said that Cobain gave the guitar to his friend Mark Lanegan during the North American leg of Nirvana`s Nevermind tour in 1992. The identity of the buyer is not known.

Who was Mark Lanegan?

Lanegan was born on November 25, 1964, in Ellensburg, Washington.

Mark Lanegan and Kurt Cobain had a professional and personal relationship during their time in the Seattle music scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Lanegan was a musician, singer, songwriter and the frontman of the band Screaming Trees. At the time, Kurt Cobain was the frontman of Nirvana.

Lanegan and Cobain became friends. They collaborated on a few occasions, most notably on the song “Where Did You Sleep Last Night?” The song was on the 1994 album “MTV Unplugged in New York” by Nirvana. In the performance of this traditional song, also known as “In the Pines” or “Black Girl”, Lanegan performed alongside Cobain.

When did Kurt Cobain smash his guitar?

Smashing guitars was more commonly associated with other musicians like Pete Townshend of The Who or Jimi Hendrix. Many rock fans who know Nirvana and Kurt Cobain only from their albums and have not been to their concerts, do not know that Kurt Cobain also liked to destroy guitars. The guitar sold for $595,900 was not the only guitar destroyed by the Nirvana frontman.

The left-handed black Fender Stratocaster was damaged during the making of Nirvana‘s hit album Nevermind.

“Nevermind”, the game-changing album by Nirvana, exploded onto the music scene like a sonic revolution. Released in 1991, it forever altered the landscape of rock and defined an era. With its raw power, infectious hooks, and unapologetic attitude, Nevermind became an unstoppable force, captivating millions around the world.

The album’s brilliance lay not only in its raw intensity but also in its ability to marry introspective lyrics with infectious melodies. Tracks like “Come as You Are,” “Lithium,” and “In Bloom” showcased Kurt Cobain‘s songwriting prowess, capturing the complexities of the human experience with an authenticity that resonated deeply.

Kurt Cobain’s favorite guitars

Kurt Cobain had several favorite guitars throughout his career. Here are some of the guitars he was known to have favored:

• Fender Mustang: Cobain is often associated with the Fender Mustang. He modified his Mustangs extensively, adding modifications such as a Seymour Duncan JB humbucker pickup in the bridge position and removing the guitar’s original vibrato system.
• Fender Jaguar: Cobain also played Fender Jaguars, particularly during Nirvana’s earlier years. He often used a left-handed version of the guitar and made modifications to suit his playing style and sound preferences.
• 1969 Competition Mustang: Cobain played it in the Smells Like Teen Spirit music video.
• “Vandalism” Stratocaster: Used during the Live at the Paramount concert on October 31, 1991
• Hi-Flier Phase 3: This acoustic-electric guitar was used by Cobain during the recording of the “Bleach” album.

Cobain’s success was not without its challenges. The weight of fame, the pressures of the music industry, and his personal battles tested his spirit. Yet, through it all, his genius continued to shine. His music connected people across boundaries, providing solace and a sense of belonging to those who felt like outsiders.

His influence reached far beyond the music itself. Cobain’s unapologetic individuality inspired a generation to embrace their quirks, question the status quo, and forge their own paths. He became an icon for authenticity, a beacon of light in a world often overshadowed by conformity.

Sadly, Cobain’s life was tragically cut short. However, his impact lives on. His songs continue to resonate with new generations, his spirit inspiring artists to push boundaries and challenge conventions.