November 18th 1993 Seattle Rockers Nirvana Goes Unplugged
Nirvana Goes Unplugged on November 18, 1993, Nirvana taped a performance for MTV’s Unplugged, set to air a month later—guitarist Pat Smear and cellist Lori Goldston at New York’s Sony Music Studios.
The band chose a setlist of lesser-known material and covers of songs by Lead Belly, David Bowie, The Meat Puppets, and the Vaselines. The following year, months after Cobain’s death, the performance was released as a live album. Topping charts around the globe, MTV Unplugged in New York gave Nirvana their highest-first-week sales ever. Today, it ranks as one of the greatest live albums.
Why Did Nirvana Go Unplugged?
The band was at the peak of its musical career and popularity. In 1993, everything was the sound of Seattle bands, including Soundgarden, Candlebox, Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam, and others.
The record company DGC had an idea to confront massive bootlegs of Nirvana by putting together a package to be released later.
The Band Does A Two Day Rehearsal
SST Rehearsal Facility, in Weehawken, New Jersey. The two days were filled with Kurt Cobain butting heads with MTV producers of the show. MTV wanted the band to focus on the hits from the band; Kurt threatened not to show up in protest till he had creative control. Plus, Kurt wasn’t feeling his best going through drug withdrawals. Let’s say Kurt was not happy during the taping.
Lights, Candles, Action!
Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl, Pat Smear, and some special guests The Meat Puppets. The stage was decorated with lilies, black candles, and a crystal chandelier. Kurt wanted the set to look like a Funeral.
The set ran over 45 minutes and included over 14 songs. Of the 12 songs, most were originals, one David Bowie song ( The Man Who Sold the World), and three Meat Puppet tunes.
MTV Unplugged In New York City Gets Release Date
released on November 1, 1994. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and sold 310,500 copies, the highest first-week sales of Nirvana’s career. By March 1995, the album had outsold In Utero, with 6.8 million copies sold.
After Kurt Cobain died in April 1994, MTV aired the episode repeatedly. In 2012, Rolling Stone placed MTV Unplugged in New York at number 313 on its list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.”
Kurt Cobain Almost Sacked Dave Grohl Before Unplugged Show
Kurt was said to be unhappy with the way Dave sounded playing drums with sticks … because Dave hit his drums so hard—a heavy hitter. Dave had to quickly re-invent his style of drumming to a softer sound. Dave downsized to a 3-piece set and knocked it out of the park.
10 Unplugged Albums Everyone Should Own
