Music History

Cool Video: Nirvana Playing “Teen Spirit” in a Small Club in 1991

Twenty-five years ago, this sort of scene was fairly common. But come September 24, 1991, everything for Nirvana–and music–would change as the result of Nevermind.

I remember playing the song on the air for the first time. I was doing middays at CFNY (soon to be renamed the Edge) when a friend walked in with a CD single. “Put this on next,” he said. It was 11:40 on a Tuesday morning.

I’d never heard “Teen Spirit” before, but within 10 seconds I remember thinking “JEEZUS CHRIST! WHAT IS THIS?”  The phones started ringing immediately. Nothing was the same after that.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

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One thought on “Cool Video: Nirvana Playing “Teen Spirit” in a Small Club in 1991

  • I remember loving Nirvana from the first time I heard this. Probably on cfny. What’s most shocking is Kurt’s been dead for 22 years. Time flies whether you’re having fun or not.

    Reply

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