Kurt Cobain’s blue guitar in Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ video to be sold at auction

✔ Fact Checked by TDPel News Desk

By Pelumi Emmanuel

Published: April 11, 2022 | 3:07 PM GMT

The iconic blue guitar Kurt Cobain rocked out within Nirvana’s seminal 90s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” music video is expected to fetch up to $800 000 when it goes up for auction next month.

With “Smells Like Teen Spirit” racking up more than 1.4 billion views on YouTube, the 1969 blue Fender is arguably one of the most famous in rock, said Martin Nolan, executive director of Julien’s Auctions.

“This is one of the most iconic guitars ever to come to the auction block, this is the blue Mustang Fender guitar, one of Kurt Cobain’s favorite guitars of all time,” said Nolan, standing beside a display of Kurt Cobain memorabilia at Julien’s Auction’s Beverly Hills showroom.

“The guitar comes with its original case and, also, the guitar strap, so that’s … really important to collectors when they come to the auction to know the originality,” said Nolan, who noted that the guitar has stayed with the family since Cobain’s death in 1994.

The Cobain guitar is the star lot in the auction house’s Music Icons auction, taking place in New York and online from May 20-22.

Nolan said the auction house has conservatively estimated a price range for the guitar of $600 000 to $800 000 but noted “that’s a very conservative auction estimate.”

The auction house said a portion of the proceeds would go to a mental health charity.

The auction also features other items, including an original Kurt Cobain artwork of Michael Jackson, that is expected to fetch up to $40 000 (USD) and one of his cars, a 1965 Dodge Dart, expected to fetch between $400 000 to $600 000.

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About Pelumi Emmanuel

Pelumi Emmanuel is an accomplished writer and journalist with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He is a passionate and dedicated professional who is committed to producing high-quality content that informs, engages, and entertains readers. Pelumi’s love for reading and writing is evident in his work, which has been read worldwide and has garnered him a loyal following. His journalistic expertise is matched only by his natural talent for storytelling, making his articles both informative and engaging. He lives in California, USA.