During Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary concert, Nirvana’s surviving members—Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear—performed ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ with Post Malone on vocals.
The surprise performance took place at Radio City Music Hall on February 14th and was introduced by Adam Sandler, calling it ‘Post Nirvana.’
While some liked the performance, most fans weren’t happy with it. Some didn’t like how Post Malone sounded, and some even said Kurt Cobain was ‘rolling in his grave.’ “This sounds like me at karaoke night after 8 miller lites,” a user said of the performance. Another wrote, “I know that Kurt Cobain wasn’t exactly Michael Jackson or Mike Patton in terms of vocal range but this song deserved better than Post Malone’s awful warbling.”
“No. Cobain is rolling in his grave. Post Malone is to Kurt what a turd is to a great meal. This is sacrilege,” another user added.
In 2022, Post Malone shared that he asked for approval from Kurt Cobain’s daughter, Frances Bean Cobain to cover Nirvana songs. “We went to Kurt’s daughter. It was important to me because I love Kurt so much, and he has been such an inspiration to me musically,” the singer revealed.
“I could never want to offend anybody by trying to show support, so I just wanted to make sure everything was okay. It was okay, and we raised money for a good cause, and we got to play some of the most f*cking epic songs ever,” he added.
The SNL performance was the second Nirvana reunion in a few weeks. Grohl, Novoselic, and Smear also played with Joan Jett, St. Vincent, Kim Gordon, and Violet Grohl at the FireAid benefit concert in Los Angeles.
Earlier reunions include Cal Jam 2018, the 2014 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, and a secret after-party at St. Vitus Bar in Brooklyn.
Adam Sandler introduces Nirvana's surviving members with Post Malone to perform "Smells Like Teen Spirit" at SNL's 50th anniversary concert 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Ua16CKTjHu
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