Nirvana Unplugged - Reliving a Night in Music History
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Nirvana on stage in nyc - Courtesy of culture sonar
On Nov. 18, 1995, Kurt Cobain and Nirvana took the Sony Studios stage in New York City for a concert that the world will never forget. As part of the live concert series Unplugged that MTV produced – you know, back when they actually played music on their network – the band left their electric guitars and generational angst at home and gave a performance much gentler than their audience was accustomed to.
Little did anyone know that it would be one of Cobain’s last television appearances, as he tragically took his own life five months later. As Charles Cross addressed in his biography of the troubled rocker, Heavier Than Heaven, Kurt was struggling with drug withdrawal and nervousness in the days before the show, and there was worry that he wouldn’t be able to perform. Thankfully, he persevered.
Kurt cobain - Courtesy of Rolling Stone magazine
The other night, I decided to re-watch this historic show for the umpteenth time, taking notes along the way. As the band took the stage, which was decorated with stargazer lilies and black candles, at Kurt’s request, I remarked how unrecognizable Dave Grohl looked from his current form – his face clean-shaven, turtleneck high and ponytail well-kept. But all of my attention was on Cobain, his piercing blue eyes complementing that famous, fuzzy, pea-green cardigan.
The show kicked off with “About a Girl,” from the band’s first album, Bleach. “Most people don’t own it,” the frontman sarcastically remarked.
What followed was “Come as You Are” from Nevermind, the album that – to Kurt’s chagrin – launched Nirvana to superstardom. The sound of the first guitar chord sent a shiver through my body. This was the most famous Nirvana original on the setlist that night, and while many expected to band to play more of their hits, the show’s director, Beth McCarthy-Miller, knew better than to overstep.
“If you want them to play ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit,’ you can go ask them,” she told executive producer Joel Stillerman. “I’m not going to be the sacrificial lamb.”
L-r: dave grohl, kurt cobain, & krist novoselic. courtesy of People magazine
After a cover of the Vaselines’ “Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam,” the first of six covers to be performed, came a rendition of David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold the World” that tops my list of favourite Nirvana songs. It’s a good thing my roommate was at work because I couldn’t help but loudly sing along. As Cross astutely recalled during an interview with The Ringer, “the richness and resonance in his voice, there’s no other word for it than haunting.”
“I didn’t screw it up, did I?” Kurt asked at the end of the song. “But here’s one I might screw up,” speaking of “Pennyroyal Tea,” from the band’s recently released third album, In Utero.
Following this beautiful song, performed alone by Kurt and his guitar, came another track from In Utero, “Dumb,” and then a trio more from Nevermind: “Polly,” “On a Plain” and “Something in the Way.” Kurt then invited Cris and Curt Kirkwood from the Arizona band Meat Puppets on stage for three songs from their album Meat Puppets II, which also didn’t sit well with producers. “They’re not doing any hits, and they’re inviting guests who don’t have any hits to come play. Perfect.” It wouldn’t have been very ‘grunge’ for Kurt to go with the grain anyways.
A yet-to-be-released single, “All Apologies,” was the band’s penultimate performance, and their best was saved for last: a cover of Lead Belly’s “Where Did You Sleep Last Night.” As Kurt belted the chorus for the final time, his voice noticeably increased an octave, followed by a gasp which, as MTV executive Amy Finnerty recalled, “made time stop.”
kurt, on tour for in utero. Courtesy of rolling stone magazine
“I will never forget those last vocals,” McCarthy-Miller told The Ringer. “I can hear them in my head right now.”
As Cross surmised, Cobain believed he wouldn’t be able to top that performance and refused an encore. The audience roared, the credits rolled, and Nirvana walked off stage. The album recording of the show has since gone multiplatinum, and even won a Grammy in 1995 for Best Alternative Music Performance. While the show’s significance wasn’t clear at the time, it exists in the hearts and minds of fans as a requiem of one of music’s most tragic figures.
Connor Burk
Connor is in his second year of Algonquin’s Professional Writing program. Believe it or not, he actually listens to other genres of music besides rap. His three favourite musicians, in no particular order, are Eminem, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain.
