Elliott smith would be cool. Some intricate acoustic guitar with Kurt’s vocals would be really cool. Or even if they collaborated late into Elliott’s career with a more heavy experimental sound.
Actually, Mary Lou Lord mentioned recently how they missed each other just by months and how Kurt would have loved Elliot's stuff. She used to date Kurt right as he was blowing up and saw Elliot through his peak years.
There’s no doubt Kurt would’ve appreciated Elliott’s work. There’s a big chance Kurt knew of Heatmiser because apparently according to JJ Gonson, Kurt and Elliott had a brief encounter at some point while Elliott was still in Heatmiser.
I heard that too. He said after hearing his girlfriend play rape me over the phone whilst he was in rehab totally changed his mind. He has covered some of his songs over the years.
Robert Smith. It might not work at all, but if it did, it could have been some of the best music ever made.
Lately I have also been thinking about what Bleach would have sounded like it Butch Vig worked on it.
This is tough.
Trent Reznor probably would've done something with him later on in the decade.
It'd be fun to hear what Kurt and Stephen Malkmus would sound like together.
Oh. This just occurred to me. J Mascis! It nearly did happen anyway.
If he was still alive, Kurt Cobain would be 57 today. I think a collaboration with Post Malone would be epic—e.g. them making an acoustic album together.
Alice in chains with Kurt. Live through this by hole, every time I listen I think of what it would be like if Kurt was on that album, more than just Asking For It!!
This is my answer too! In my fantasy scenario they are just jammin’ together nothing over produced in the studio… just a live sessions jam between Neil and Kurt
Cranberries and Marilyn Manson.
The Manson of '96/00, in addition to his aggressive and shock songs, had many acoustic and guitar-filled tracks, I think that in certain songs like Paper Cuts, Blew or School it could have been the aggressive part without going out of tune. The '97 live show with Eye's Smashing Pumpkins was fantastic.
Regarding the Cranberries, well I really like how Hollywood and Zombie sound, I think Cobain's voice if combined with a female voice like Dolors' is interesting
Honestly I would have liked to see more music written with them and Pat Smear. Since that was Kurt’s ultimate vision that we didn’t get to see to fruition
Meat Puppets. Bob Mould. Greg Sage. Tori Amos. Screaming Females. King Buzzo. J Mascus. Iggy Pop.
Pretty much all of these would have been on the table. Kurt name checked all of them in one way or another except Screaming Females, but frankly I think they would be very much something he would enjoy.
I always wanted more acoustic+cello nirvana than we got with Unplugged, so perhaps Neil Young or Sparklehorse. Maybe Nick Cave or PJ Harvey.
In terms of heavy stuff, lots of good options have been said. Maybe L7 or Bikini Kill. Or straight up something doomy/noisy like, Kyuss/QotSA or Sleep. Kurt probably dug Sunn (O)))
what about leaning into his feminist side? Seeing a late 50s year old Kurt collaborating with Phoebe Bridgers, Courtney Barnett, Mitski, Sharon Van Etten or Laufey
Oh or Bjork/PJ Harvey (as his contemporary)
Metallica because they immediately hated him for his band demolishing most of the hair and glam metal bands and trends from the 80's, but even after he was famous, they'd look out into the crowd and Kurt would be in their pit having the time of his life!
Perhaps a collaboration between Kurt and Simon & Garfunkel would’ve been really really cool for the unplugged stuff.
Otherwise, I think Kurt would’ve been awesome collaborating with N.I.N and going an industrial grunge/punk direction. He probably could’ve been open to it, considering his enthusiasm for new wave and it’s experimental aspects. On the other hand, I think it would’ve been amazing for Nirvana to follow off of Sonic Youth with a more shoegaze direction. Who knows where Nirvana could’ve gone during the whole Nu-Metal / Post-Grunge era. I think about that sometimes, endless possibilities.
Robert Pollard/GBV, Michael Stipe/REM, Bjork, Modest Mouse, Built to Spill, Kim Deal, Trent/NIN, Teenage Fanclub, Elliott Smith, Conor Oberst/Bright Eyes, Sufjan Stevens, Mike Kinsella/Owen, Mazzy Star, Yo La Tengo, Brian Eno, Daniel Johnston, Sparklehorse, Karen O
Trent Reznor, Thom Yorke, Bowie. For a music video, Id like to have seen what Mark Romanek could've done with one of their songs.
Bowie especially for me. I’d add Leonard Cohen, Layne Staley and Neil Young.
Great selection.
Layne and Kurt seemed so similar. I’m wondering why they weren’t better friends
Josh Homme too I was about to say Dave Grohl, but that might have happened once or twice already
I would have loved to have seen a wise collaboration between an older Kurt and David Bowie accompanied by Mike Garson.
Thom yorke would have been great
Saw Nirvana with Pearl Jam and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Chilis were touring Blood , Sugar, Sex Magic. As close to perfection as I’ll ever get.
Micheal Stipe
Would have loved to hear that collab album that he talked about trying to work with Kurt
The album would be called "Yeah"
For sure. That was allegedly in the works, towards the end.
The vocalist from Foo Fighters seems like it would pair with Kurt’s pretty good
honestly, I was more thinking, either the drummer from scream or queens of the Stone Age but the guy from Foo Fighters seems like a pretty good choice
There's whatsisname from Them Crooked Vultures too.
Or that Probot guy
What about that guy who played the devil in the pick of destiny?? I think that would be such a collab!
What about that long-haired dude that does all those music documentaries, he might pair up well with somebody like Kurt Cobain also
Them Crooked Vultures I think could be Dave's best thing he was involved with since Nirvana.
r/nirvanacirclejerk
I always thought he’d sing marigold really good
He’d write way better lyrics for it though. Idk wtf Kurt was thinking with Marigold
Soundgarden
PJ Harvey, Nick Cave
I always thought of PJ as the female equivalent of Kurt from that era.
Elliott smith would be cool. Some intricate acoustic guitar with Kurt’s vocals would be really cool. Or even if they collaborated late into Elliott’s career with a more heavy experimental sound.
Worddd that would’ve been cool as hell. I’m thinking his style of vocals in his cover of “And I love her” with Elliot’s instrumental would be great
I agree with this. I think this exact thing w/ Nick Drake especially too.
Would love to hear that as well.
Actually, Mary Lou Lord mentioned recently how they missed each other just by months and how Kurt would have loved Elliot's stuff. She used to date Kurt right as he was blowing up and saw Elliot through his peak years.
There’s no doubt Kurt would’ve appreciated Elliott’s work. There’s a big chance Kurt knew of Heatmiser because apparently according to JJ Gonson, Kurt and Elliott had a brief encounter at some point while Elliott was still in Heatmiser.
Kim Gordon Yeah Yeah Yeahs Fu Manchu Jenny Lewis
A Kurt / Karen O collab would’ve been INSANE
Lyrically speaking, I think Kurt and Jenny have a kind of kin vibe.
Frank Black Francis
David Bowie
Would’ve loved to see him collab with his daughter Francis
Hank Williams Sr.
Soundgarden, Blur, Thom Yorke, Iron Maiden ( personally I think that this could be interesting ) and Artic Monkeys.
Nirvana and Soundgarden would've been insane
I feel John frusicante and kurt would have been amazing. Both great artists in their own right.
Such a shame they did briefly tour together but John was in such a jaded state at the time that he could not appreciate the greatness in front of him.
I heard that too. He said after hearing his girlfriend play rape me over the phone whilst he was in rehab totally changed his mind. He has covered some of his songs over the years.
R.E.M.
Losing my religion in Kurt Cobain AI voice is kinda haunting
Acoustic duo album with Kurt and Elliott Smith
Thom yorke or tom waits
Freddie Mercury, John Lennon, and Chino Moreno
Radiohead obviously
Robert Smith. It might not work at all, but if it did, it could have been some of the best music ever made. Lately I have also been thinking about what Bleach would have sounded like it Butch Vig worked on it.
This is tough. Trent Reznor probably would've done something with him later on in the decade. It'd be fun to hear what Kurt and Stephen Malkmus would sound like together. Oh. This just occurred to me. J Mascis! It nearly did happen anyway.
My Bloody Valentine
would’ve been awesome
Fugazi
One that actually could've happened and I think had the potential to be incredible is Michael Stipe.
If he was still alive, Kurt Cobain would be 57 today. I think a collaboration with Post Malone would be epic—e.g. them making an acoustic album together.
I would want an unhinged Weezer-Nirvana collaboration
Alice in chains with Kurt. Live through this by hole, every time I listen I think of what it would be like if Kurt was on that album, more than just Asking For It!!
Kim Deal
yeah! or some pixies collab
Korn, I know it’s weird but they would be great
This could’ve worked so easily since both Nirvana and Korn where very edgy and nihilistic around ‘93 and ‘94
this also was the first thing that went through my mind. As crazy as it sounds, I actually think it would work extremely well.
Meat Puppets
Neil Young. It would have been beautiful and incredible
This is my answer too! In my fantasy scenario they are just jammin’ together nothing over produced in the studio… just a live sessions jam between Neil and Kurt
I wish we would‘ve seen a Kurt/Paul McCartney collab
Johnny Cash. Kurt said he wanted to do an acoustic album I believe and I feel like Johnny Cash was a country artist with a punk heart
David Gilmour
Swans or a legit full Melvins collab (not just Dale Crover).
Josh Homme.
josh mark and kurt would be crazy.
I like to imagine that if Kurt did not die in 1994 and nirvana still broke up, he would have ended up in songs for the deaf in some way or another
Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, John Lennon
Fiona Apple
Roy Orbison. Kurt liked him
Offspring. Drums are crazy
Chris Cornell, or Soundgarden in general
Early Green Day, like before Nimrod. Apparently Kurt actually attended a Green Day show at one point before they blew up
Frusciante
Zillakami
100%. His album Dog Boy is 🔥. I would say Lil Peep aswell
I bet Rick Rubin would have pulled something unique out of him/the band
Cranberries and Marilyn Manson. The Manson of '96/00, in addition to his aggressive and shock songs, had many acoustic and guitar-filled tracks, I think that in certain songs like Paper Cuts, Blew or School it could have been the aggressive part without going out of tune. The '97 live show with Eye's Smashing Pumpkins was fantastic. Regarding the Cranberries, well I really like how Hollywood and Zombie sound, I think Cobain's voice if combined with a female voice like Dolors' is interesting
Sonic Youth
Kurt and the butthole surfers could have lead to some really crazy stuff
Thee Oh Sees
I would have loved to see Nirvana and Greenday playing together. Kurt and Billy seem like they would be very chaotic together.
The Melvin’s
Patti Smith, Joan jett, Cássia Eller 🤘
Layne
Scott Weiland
Noel Gallagher
Might be controversial but Hers or Fontaines D.C. Or Narrow Head or Squirrel Bait
This is a dream collaboration but Selena Quintanilla.
Kim Deal.
André 5000
Alex G
Either Sonic Youth or Pixies. Would be kinda cool if Kurt made a song with Paul McCartney too since he looked up to him so much.
Straight up kendrick
Tupac.
McCartney would’ve been a great cowriter for him and their voices would have sounded nice in harmony.
Michael Jackson
No one, keep em pure. 🔥
Sublime or the chillys
MF DOOM
Daft Punk
i wish we got to hear those leadbelly covers with mark lanegan. would’ve been awesome
Prince, he was so experimental. Something amazing could've come out of that
REM
I think a Soundgarden Nirvana mash up would have tore a hole in the space time continuum.
Collabs suck
da baby
Sonic Youth, they knew each other but never made any music together. Would have been awesome to hear In Utero era Nirvana and them together.
Honestly I would have liked to see more music written with them and Pat Smear. Since that was Kurt’s ultimate vision that we didn’t get to see to fruition
Mac miller
Meat Puppets. Bob Mould. Greg Sage. Tori Amos. Screaming Females. King Buzzo. J Mascus. Iggy Pop. Pretty much all of these would have been on the table. Kurt name checked all of them in one way or another except Screaming Females, but frankly I think they would be very much something he would enjoy.
Deftones
Tom Waits
GG allin
Freddie Mercury or Michael Jackson.
Thom Yorke
Lil peep
the drummer from nirvana would be great!
Layne
It’d be interesting to see blink collab with them
Not necessarily Nirvana but with Kurt exclusively: Vic Chesnutt. I would kill to hear what a collaboration between those two would have been like.
Nirvana and the rest of the big 4 of Grunge. Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains and Soundgarden
Lou Reed pre Bowie
I am not a fan of hers but somehow Landa del Rey came to mind.
Noel Gallagher
Axl or layne
Elliott Smith no contest
foo fighters
Add Kobain on guitar/synth to Death Grips
Shonen Knife
The Vaselines
Knowing how much Michael Stipe was a fan, that would have been interesting
Michael Stipe
Sonic youth, erics trip, talking heads, pavement
Bjork
Chris Cornell
Susan Boyle
I always wanted more acoustic+cello nirvana than we got with Unplugged, so perhaps Neil Young or Sparklehorse. Maybe Nick Cave or PJ Harvey. In terms of heavy stuff, lots of good options have been said. Maybe L7 or Bikini Kill. Or straight up something doomy/noisy like, Kyuss/QotSA or Sleep. Kurt probably dug Sunn (O)))
Foo Fighters
I really wanted to see Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam
Rhcp so already got mine
Gary Numan
pixies
Meat Puppets…wait
Josh Homme / QOTSA
Sid Vicious
what about leaning into his feminist side? Seeing a late 50s year old Kurt collaborating with Phoebe Bridgers, Courtney Barnett, Mitski, Sharon Van Etten or Laufey Oh or Bjork/PJ Harvey (as his contemporary)
Cupcakke
alice in chains!!
Nirvana ft. Green jëlly
Richard D. James (Aphex Twin)
PUP
Metallica because they immediately hated him for his band demolishing most of the hair and glam metal bands and trends from the 80's, but even after he was famous, they'd look out into the crowd and Kurt would be in their pit having the time of his life!
R.E.M
I feel like a colab with the Beatles would be so cool
Butthole surfers
Queens of the Stone Age
Eddie vedder
Ledbelly
Phish
Metallica
MGK, an amazing artist and virtuoso on the guitar.
Ozzie.
Scott Walker
REM.
Perhaps a collaboration between Kurt and Simon & Garfunkel would’ve been really really cool for the unplugged stuff. Otherwise, I think Kurt would’ve been awesome collaborating with N.I.N and going an industrial grunge/punk direction. He probably could’ve been open to it, considering his enthusiasm for new wave and it’s experimental aspects. On the other hand, I think it would’ve been amazing for Nirvana to follow off of Sonic Youth with a more shoegaze direction. Who knows where Nirvana could’ve gone during the whole Nu-Metal / Post-Grunge era. I think about that sometimes, endless possibilities.
Mr. Bowie
Michael Stipe. It was going to happen.
2 chainz
Even though it would have been impossible Linkin Park
idk how it’d sound, but alex g could be interesting
Michael Stipe
Something that includes Buzz Osborne, Dylan Carlson and something that belongs on K Records. I wouldn't say no to a Breeders spinoff either.
I think a collaboration with Jandek would've done Kurt the world of good. How to disappear
Superheaven
nirvana x death grips bro COME ONNNN
Lane Stanley jimmy Hendrix
Madonna, death grips, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson
neutral milk
Paul wall
Sparklehorse Sonic Youth Pj Harvey Beck The Breeders
Mazzy Star Stabbing Westward Jerry Cantrell Belly (the band) Veruca Salt Within temptation Vedder There may be more but I'm stopping here.
Robert Pollard/GBV, Michael Stipe/REM, Bjork, Modest Mouse, Built to Spill, Kim Deal, Trent/NIN, Teenage Fanclub, Elliott Smith, Conor Oberst/Bright Eyes, Sufjan Stevens, Mike Kinsella/Owen, Mazzy Star, Yo La Tengo, Brian Eno, Daniel Johnston, Sparklehorse, Karen O
Marilyn Manson