November 25, 2024

Skylight Webzine

Online since 2000

Nirvana’s smashed ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ guitar up for auction


The bass guitar which was smashed up in the music video for Nirvana’s 1991 single ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ is set to be auctioned off. The battered instrument is estimated to sell for £15,000 – £25,000 at the entertainment memorabilia sale next month at Christie’s in London. The Independent reports that Novoselic purchased the Zen-On instrument from a pawn shop, as he knew the bass would be destroyed during the shoot.

After the shoot, the body of the guitar was taken by one of the teenage extras that feature in the video.

The auction, which takes place on November 29, will also include Bob Dylan’s 1958 high school yearbook, which features a handwritten message by the legendary folk singer, which reads:

“Dear Jerry, Well the year’s almost all over now huh. Remember the ‘sessions’ down at Collier. Keep practicing the guitar and maybe someday you’ll be great! A friend, Bob Zimmerman.”

The book is estimated to sell for £6,000.

Source: NME