Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Sir Paul McCartney to stand in for Kurt Cobain at Nirvana reunion

Surviving members of the band will be joined by the Beatle at the 12.12.12 gig for victims of Hurricane Sandy tonight

Matilda Battersby
Wednesday 12 December 2012 14:24 GMT
Comments
Paul McCartney and Dave Grohl
Paul McCartney and Dave Grohl (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Surviving members of grunge band Nirvana will play together for the first time in 20 years tonight – with Sir Paul McCartney standing in for late frontman Kurt Cobain.

Drummer Dave Grohl, bassist Krist Novoselic and unofficial fourth member Pat Smear are in concert to raise money for victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Former Beatle McCartney, 70, will not be playing Nirvana’s ubiquitous “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, however.

A spokesman confirmed that Foo Fighters’ singer Grohl recently asked McCartney to come along to "jam with some mates”. They were joined by Novoselic, 47, and guitarist Smear, 53, and McCartney suggested they “just make something up”.

He told The Sun: “I didn’t really know who they were. They are saying how good it is to be back together. I said ‘Whoa? You guys haven’t played together for all that time?”

“And somebody whispered to me ‘That’s Nirvana. You’re Kurt.’ I couldn’t believe it.”

Cobain committed suicide in 1994.

McCartney and Nirvana’s collaborative efforts will be showcased tonight at the 12.12.12 gig.

The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, Alicia Keys and Bruce Springsteen are among the star-studded bill at the New York City gig which is being streamed online, via radio and at cinemas across America.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in