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Iconic Nirvana Video Guitar Sells for Millions
18 Aug
Summary
- Cobain's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' guitar sold for $6.9M.
- The video concept mirrored a school event ending in riot.
- Nirvana's 'Nevermind' has sold over 30 million copies.
Kurt Cobain's iconic left-handed '60s Fender Mustang, famously used in Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" music video, shattered auction records in March 2026. The guitar fetched an astonishing $6.907 million, significantly surpassing its pre-sale estimate.
The groundbreaking music video for "Smells Like Teen Spirit," released 35 years ago, was a collaboration between Cobain and director Samuel Bayer. Cobain envisioned a school event escalating into a riot, drawing inspiration from films like "Over the Edge." Approximately 150 extras were recruited, and their genuine weariness from repeated takes fueled the on-set unrest captured on film.
Released with the sophomore album 'Nevermind,' "Smells Like Teen Spirit" propelled Nirvana to global superstardom. The album has since been certified platinum 13 times and sold over 30 million copies worldwide. It also holds the distinction of spending 700 weeks on the Billboard 200 and was ranked sixth on Rolling Stone's "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" in 2023.
