Kurt Cobain’s iconic guitar from Nirvana’s 1993 MTV Unplugged performance has been donated to the Royal College of Music in London. The 1959 Martin D-18E was bought at auction in 2020 for a record-breaking $6 million by Peter Freedman, the founder of Rode Microphones. This sale set the record for the highest price ever paid for a guitar at auction.
The guitar was recently displayed at the Royal College of Music in an exhibit that ended in November. Plans are in place for an international touring exhibition featuring the guitar, set to launch in 2026.
Peter Freedman expressed his excitement about the donation, saying, “I am delighted to gift this iconic guitar to the Royal College of Music. I hope it inspires young musicians and reaches people around the world.” He dedicated the gift to his father, Henry, who loved music and London.
James Williams, director of the Royal College of Music, thanked Freedman for his generosity. He said, “This gift opens up future opportunities to share the Kurt Cobain Unplugged exhibition with a global audience. It also shows Peter’s strong support for the arts and his belief in the power of education to change lives.”
This donation not only honors Cobain’s legacy but also aims to inspire the next generation of musicians.
