Nirvana's Unplugged Release Date and a Glimpse into Kurt Cobain's Agitated Soul

On November 18th, 1993, Nirvana took to the stage at Sony's Hells Kitchen studio for their MTV Unplugged performance. The set was dressed as a funeral, complete with Stargazer Lilies and candles, reflecting the band's desire for an intimate and somber atmosphere. Kurt Cobain, known for his prickly personality, seemed particularly agitated during the performance.

At one point, Kurt stopped the song 'Penny Royal Tea' to ask Dave Grohl not to play along, saying 'Am I going to play this alone?' The tension was palpable as Grohl nervously asked guitarist Pat Smear if he had a smoke. Even the band's closest allies seemed wary of Kurt, who repeatedly spun around on his chair and glared at the drummer over hunched shoulders.

The performance was a rare glimpse into Kurt's humor, as he later revealed that his manager told him to smile more during the show. Watching the video of the performance only heightens the effect, making it a draining experience to listen to. Despite its awkwardness, the set remains an important part of Nirvana's legacy.

Kurt approached the opportunity by playing six obscure covers, including three with the Meat Puppets, and only one real hit, 'Come As You Are.' He ignored the crowd's requests for popular songs like 'In Bloom,' opting instead to focus on creating a unique and personal performance.

In contrast, other established acts like Bruce Springsteen and Eric Clapton used MTV Unplugged as an opportunity to have fun reworking old favorites and make some money without having to write new songs. Acoustic guitars had not been as popular since the early 1960s, making the stripped-down format a big success at the start of the '90s.

The release date for Nirvana's MTV Unplugged performance was November 1st, 1994, and it remains an iconic representation of Kurt Cobain's music and personality.

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