Rare Nirvana Recording Shows Kurt Cobain Destroying Two Guitars Up for Auction

JAKARTA - A video recording of Nirvana performing in Tijuana, Mexico, in 1990 is now up for auction.

This unreleased footage highlights the iconic moment when Kurt Cobain smashed two guitars on stage, as part of the promotion for their debut album, "Bleach."

Bonhams, the renowned auction house, is offering the original video and audio recordings of the performance. These documents, estimated to be worth between US$100,000 and US$150,000, are sought after by collectors and grunge fans worldwide.

The over 45-minute recording captures Nirvana in action at the peak of their formative career.

According to the auction description, the raw video comes from the two original cameras that filmed the performance. The tapes are marked "ORIGINAL MASTER CAMERA-A" and "CAMERA B" in black marker, while the stickers read "NIRVANA I" and "NIRVANA II" in red ink.

The auction package also includes a digital transfer, a hard drive containing an edited version, and a copyright certificate.

Furthermore, the package also includes a Nirvana tour poster for the show at Raji's nightclub on February 15, 1990, and a first-edition copy of the album "Bleach," printed on white vinyl and limited to 1,000 copies.

During that historic show, Nirvana performed 13 songs. The most striking moment was when Kurt Cobain destroyed two guitars: one a custom-made pink Mustang and the other a 1970s Gibson SG.

The auction, titled "Unplugged & Unforgettable: Music Auction," will close on Thursday, September 24. Interested fans and collectors can find more information on the official Bonhams website.

Nirvana's memorabilia collection is always a source of interest. Previously, the guitar Cobain used during the legendary MTV Unplugged show was exhibited in London.

In 2020, one of his guitars sold for over US$6 million, making it the most expensive guitar ever auctioned. It was purchased by Australian entrepreneur Peter Freedman AM, founder of RØDE Microphones.