Owner of NFL’s Indianapolis Colts Bids $2M for ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ Guitar

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At first glance, it’d be easy to assume that Kurt Cobain, rest his soul, would be rolling in his grave at the thought of the owner of a professional football team owning one of his guitars.

However, it’s all in support of an amazing philanthropic cause that has been fully sanctioned by the Cobain estate. Here’s the deal:

The Cobain estate recently decided to put the legendary blue 1969 Fender Mustang guitar (used by Kurt in the ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ music video & on Nevermind), up for auction, with some of the proceeds going towards a mental health organization.

 

 

Back in 2020, the estate worked with Julien’s Auctions to sell Kurt’s MTV Unplugged 1959 Martin D-18E acoustic-electric guitar, selling for a cool $6 million and shattering guitar auction sales records.

This time around, the CEO of Julien’s Auctions suggested that the Cobain estate partner with Kicking The Stigma, an organization that has contributed over $16 million toward expanding treatment, research and awareness of mental health disorders since 2020.

It just so happens to be operated by the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts and their owner and CEO, Jim Irsay.

Irsay just kicked off the bidding process himself with a cool $2 million dollar offer from his own pockets.

Here’s more context from Jim Irsay about Kicking The Stigma:

“Right now, there’s darkness upon people in America and throughout the world. There are people on this sunny day that are going through horrors. They’re sitting alone, the world is dark, they see no way out and they’re in about the worst space you can possibly think of. They may be wealthy, they may be beautiful and handsome, they may be homeless, they may be whatever — it doesn’t matter. Mental illness does not differentiate.

“But we are warriors against it. We are warriors against it. Like we always say with Kicking The Stigma, you’re not alone. We’re right here. We want to do everything we can to help you.”

We say good on Mr. Irsay. It’s nice to see someone of his stature putting their power, influence and wealth to use for a great cause.

And if you just so happen to have a cool few million dollars sitting around in your bank account for a rainy day and want to own the ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ guitar, you’ll have your own shot to own this piece of musical history this week.

The guitar will be auctioned off as part of Julien’s Auctions Music Icons series at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square from May 20 to 22nd.

smells like teen spirit guitar

In the extremely unlikely event that you have not heard the Nirvana song ‘Sells Like Teen Spirit’ 4,720 times in your lifetime already (nor seen the music video 2,390 times), we’ve embedded it for you below. You’re welcome.

Words by: The Pit staff

 

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