Cobain’s guitar auctioned off for record US$6mil
The guitar that grunge rock icon Kurt Cobain played during his legendary 1993 MTV Unplugged performance has sold for a record US$6mil (RM25mil), the auction house said.
The retro acoustic-electric 1959 Martin D-18E that Cobain strummed for Nirvana’s career-defining performance in New York – just five months before his suicide at age 27 – sold after a bidding war to Peter Freedman, founder of Rode Microphones, Julien’s Auctions said on Saturday.
At US$6.01mil after fees and commission, the instrument was the most expensive guitar ever sold at auction, among other records.
The starting estimate was US$1mil (RM4.2mil).
Freedman said he planned to display the guitar in a worldwide tour, with proceeds going to benefit performing arts.
“When I heard that this iconic guitar was up for auction, I immediately knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure it and use it as a vehicle to spotlight the struggles those in the performing arts are facing and have always faced,” the Australian said.
The guitar was sold with its case, which Cobain had decorated with a flyer from punk rock band Poison Idea’s 1990 album Feel the Darkness.
Until now, the most costly guitar in history was a Fender Stratocaster, dubbed “Black Strat,” used by Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour. It sold for nearly US$4mil (RM17mil) during a charity sale in June 2019.
Nirvana’s acoustic performance during the taping for the popular MTV Unplugged series on Nov 18, 1993, became what is considered one of history’s greatest live albums.
In October 2019, Cobain’s cigarette-singed cardigan worn during the Unplugged performance sold for US$334,000.