# In 1991, Nirvana released one of their biggest songs. One year later, Kurt Cobain did his best to destroy it

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1991-nirvana-released-one-of-their-biggest-songs-one-year-later-kurt-cobain-did-his-best-to-destroy-it/
- Published: 2026-11-03T20:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-04T00:59:53+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1991-nirvana-kurt-cobain-destroy-biggest-song/

## Key points

- Nirvana used a 1992 concert to protest sexism in the crowd.
- Calamity Jane were pelted with objects during their support set.
- The band repeatedly teased, then stopped, ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’.

## Summary

Nirvana released ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ in 1991, and it became a defining hit that helped bring grunge to a mainstream audience. The following year, the band deliberately frustrated fans at a Buenos Aires concert after seeing the audience abuse their support act, Calamity Jane.

The all-female band was pelted with mud, rocks, coins and other objects, while some spectators shouted a sexist slur; members left the stage in distress. Kurt Cobain said he wanted to cancel the show, but Nirvana instead played mostly unfamiliar, experimental material and repeatedly started then stopped ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ as a protest. Cobain recalled that about 60,000 people attended and that the set lasted around 40 minutes.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.