Kurt Cobain’s Iconic Guitar to Be Exhibited in London This Summer

Nirvana fans and rock enthusiasts have something to look forward to this summer: the Royal College of Music Museum in London will host a special exhibition dedicated to Kurt Cobain.

Titled Kurt Cobain Unplugged,bthe exhibition will feature the legendary Martin D-18E acoustic guitar, played by Cobain during Nirvana’s iconic MTV Unplugged performance in November 1993, just months before his tragic passing. The live album, released in 1994, earned the band its only Grammy Award and remains one of the most celebrated performances in rock history.

Photos : Getty Images/MTV/DR

Historic Guitar on Display for the First Time in the UK

Cobain’s Martin D-18E, the most expensive guitar ever sold at auction fetched over $6 million (around €5.5 million) in 2020. The instrument will now be showcased in the UK for the first time as part of this landmark exhibition. Australian entrepreneur Peter Freedman AM, who acquired the guitar, envisioned a worldwide exhibition to honor artists and musicians. She explained. “I’m thrilled that its first stop is the Royal College of Music in London, marking a historic moment for music lovers.”

A Tribute to Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged Legacy

Curated by rock journalist Alan di Pernaand Gabriele Rossi Rognoni, this exhibition delves into the lasting impact of Nirvana’s MTV Unpluggednconcert. Di Perna describes the event as a “game-changing performance by a band that defined rock in the 1990s.” 30 years after its release, MTV Unplugged is ranked among the greatest live albums ever recorded, alongside masterpieces like Ellington at Newport, Aretha Live at Fillmore West, and Stop Making Sense by Talking Heads.

Photos : Getty Images/MTV/DR

Iconic memorabilia on display

The exhibition also reunites another legendary piece: Cobain’s olive-green mohair cardigan, worn during the performance, which sold at auction for $334,000 (€308,000) in 2019. Fans will also get to see rare Nirvana memorabilia, including original concert posters, collectible vinyl records, and items from Cobain’s personal music gear collection, offering a deeper glimpse into the band’s legacy.