Kurt Cobain’s iconic guitar from Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged performance will be displayed at the Royal College of Music Museum in London from June 3 to November 18. This exhibit will also feature the green cardigan Cobain wore during the performance, marking their first appearance together.

The 1959 Martin D-18E guitar was auctioned in 2020 for an astounding $6 million, making it the highest-priced guitar sold at auction. The winning bidder, Peter Freedman, founder of Rode Microphones, expressed his intention to showcase the instrument in music education spaces.

The display of Kurt Cobain’s guitar and cardigan is significant as it celebrates an iconic moment in music history. The guitar’s record auction price highlights its cultural value. The exhibit is an opportunity for fans and music lovers to engage with Cobain’s legacy.

Original Source: www.kshe95.com

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Kurt Cobain’s legendary Martin D-18E guitar will be displayed in Europe for the first time at the Royal College of Music, London. The exhibition, “Kurt Cobain Unplugged,” opens on June 3 and runs until November 18, showcasing the guitar, which was customised for left-handed use.

The exhibit highlights Nirvana’s iconic 1993 MTV Unplugged performance, a significant event before Cobain’s untimely death. The guitar famously sold for over $6 million in 2020, becoming the most expensive guitar auctioned.

Additionally, the exhibition features Cobain’s olive-green mohair cardigan, worn during the same performance, marking their first joint display. Exhibition sponsor Peter Freedman aims to support performing artists through this worldwide tour of exhibitions.

Visitors are encouraged to engage creatively by designing their own guitars for a chance to play Nirvana’s songs in Guitar Hero 5 at the gallery.

The upcoming exhibition at the Royal College of Music will celebrate the legacy of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana. Featuring the iconic guitar and cardigan, it offers a unique opportunity for fans to engage with the band’s history. Freedman’s initiative reflects an ongoing commitment to support artists worldwide, making it an event of significant cultural importance.

Original Source: www.billboard.com

The post Kurt Cobain’s Iconic Guitar to Be Displayed in London for the First Time first appeared on The London Bell.

Kurt Cobain’s iconic Martin D-18E guitar, played during Nirvana’s acclaimed MTV Unplugged performance, will be on display in the UK for the first time at the Royal College of Music Museum in London. Peter Freedman, owner and chair of Røde microphones, purchased the guitar for $6 million in 2020, setting a record as the most expensive guitar sold at auction.

This specific Martin D-18E gained legendary status due to its use in Nirvana’s November 1993 MTV Unplugged appearance, where Cobain strayed from the expected acoustic format. Music journalist Alan di Perna calls it a rare and unusual model, noting its modification for Cobain’s left-handed technique, making it a fitting match for the artist.

During the performance, Cobain played various songs, including covers of David Bowie and traditional songs, despite the pressure to perform hits. The significance of the show heightened after Cobain’s tragic death five months later, leading to constant replays of the performance, etching it into rock’s collective memory.

Cobain was deeply involved in the visual elements of the show, requesting flowers and candles for an intimate atmosphere. The exhibition, opening on 3 June, will also showcase the green cardigan Cobain wore, which sold for $334,000, the most expensive button-up at auction.

Described as a quintessential part of Cobain’s thrift-shop aesthetic, the cardigan reflects his background and alternative culture. Cobain’s influence continues, as his unique style has inspired clothing lines, including the “Kurtigan” from Japanese brand Manastash.

The display of Kurt Cobain’s Martin D-18E guitar marks a significant cultural moment, showcasing the enduring legacy of Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged performance. By highlighting both the guitar and the iconic cardigan, the exhibition illustrates Cobain’s influence on music and fashion, while also commemorating the emotional impact of his artistry, especially following his untimely death.

Original Source: www.theguardian.com

The post Kurt Cobain’s Iconic Guitar to Be Displayed in London for First Time first appeared on The London Bell.

The guitar Kurt Cobain used during Nirvana’s ‘MTV Unplugged’ performance will be showcased in an upcoming London exhibition. This performance, recorded in November 1993 and released as an album in late 1994, remains one of the band’s most notable gigs. The exhibition, titled ‘Kurt Cobain Unplugged’, will take place at the Royal College of Music Museum from June 3 to November 18, 2025.

Curated by Alan di Perna and Gabriele Rossi Rognoni, this exhibition marks the first time the Martin D-18E guitar has been displayed in the UK. The guitar, which sold for over $6 million in 2020, was acquired by Peter Freedman AM, founder of RØDE Microphones, who plans to use it to support artists.

Freedman expressed his excitement about loaning the guitar for the exhibition, stating, “I am delighted that this exhibition… will bring Cobain’s guitar to the UK for the first time and inspire a new generation of musicians.” Along with the guitar, visitors can expect to see Cobain’s iconic olive-green cardigan, Nirvana memorabilia including gig posters and vinyl records, and musical equipment.

Additionally, the exhibition will host various events, performances, and workshops celebrating Nirvana’s influence. Tickets are set to go on sale on April 30 for £5. In related news, Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged performance is making its streaming debut on Paramount+ and the band’s surviving members recently reunited on ‘Saturday Night Live’.

The exhibition ‘Kurt Cobain Unplugged’ will showcase the iconic Martin D-18E guitar and other memorabilia from Nirvana, highlighting the band’s legacy. Curated by Alan di Perna and Gabriele Rossi Rognoni, it promises to inspire future musicians while celebrating Cobain’s influential career. Tickets will be available from April 30, making this a must-visit for fans in London.

Original Source: www.nme.com

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Kurt Cobain’s Martin D-18E guitar, valued at $6 million, will feature in the ‘Kurt Cobain Unplugged’ exhibition at the Royal College of Music Museum in London from 3 June. This acoustic guitar, known for being the most expensive ever auctioned, was purchased in 2020 by Australian entrepreneur Peter Freedman AM, who has loaned it for this exhibition.

The exhibition will showcase not just the guitar, but also Cobain’s olive-green cardigan, which sold for $334,000 in 2019. The cardigan has a missing button, cigarette burns, and a mystery stain. This will be the first time both items are displayed together.

Additional exhibits include Nirvana memorabilia such as gig posters, collectible vinyl, and parts of a Soundboard from the same series. Curator Gabriele Rossi Rognoni and rock journalist Alan di Perna have organised this landmark exhibition, honouring Nirvana’s impact on rock music.

Tickets are priced at £5, with booking opening on 30 April for visits between 3 June and 17 August. A waitlist is available for further information on tickets and related events.

The exhibition at the Royal College of Music Museum showcases Kurt Cobain’s iconic Martin D-18E guitar and his famous cardigan for the first time together, highlighting Nirvana’s significant influence on music. With additional memorabilia on display and reasonably priced tickets, the exhibition promises to attract fans and visitors alike.

Original Source: guitar.com

The post Kurt Cobain’s Iconic Guitar Displayed at London Exhibition first appeared on The London Bell.

A new Nirvana exhibition will be held at London’s Royal College of Music Museum this summer. It features Kurt Cobain’s rare Martin D-18E guitar, showcased for the first time in the UK, alongside the green cardigan he wore during their famous 1993 MTV Unplugged performance. The exhibition opens on June 3, 2025, marking a unique moment by displaying these iconic items together.

Peter Freedman AM, the guitar’s buyer who purchased it for over $6 million at auction in 2020, expressed his intention for the guitar to support performing artists globally. He stated, “When I purchased this guitar, my intention was to have it begin a worldwide tour of exhibitions, to support performing artists… I am delighted that this intent will be premiered at the Royal College of Music, London…”

The exhibition at the Royal College of Music Museum offers fans a rare chance to see Kurt Cobain’s iconic guitar and cardigan together, celebrating Nirvana’s influence. Peter Freedman’s commitment to showcasing the guitar to support artists globally underlines the legacy of Cobain and the band’s music.

Original Source: www.kerrang.com

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