Culture

Smells Like an Overblown Story: Paul McCartney Hasn't Replaced Kurt Cobain

Can Paul McCartney pull off grunge? That's the question on everyone's mind going into his performance tonight with the remaining members of Nirvana. It's undoubtedly a weird collaboration, but should we really call it a Nirvana reunion?

By David Wagner
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This article is from the archive of our partner .

Can Paul McCartney pull off grunge? That's the question on everyone's mind going into his performance tonight with the remaining members of Nirvana. It's undoubtedly a weird collaboration, but should we really call it a Nirvana reunion?

McCartney and Nirvana's surviving members—drummer Dave Grohl and bassist Krist Novoselic—will reportedly perform together at the big "12.12.12" Hurricane Sandy benefit concert tonight at Madison Square Garden. The artists' representatives haven't confirmed that, but they haven't denied it either. In an interview with U.K. paper The Sun, McCartney said that Grohl invited him over to "jam with some mates." The 70-year-old former Beatle had fun, but at first he didn't understand the session's significance:

I didn’t really know who they were. They are saying how good it is to be back together. I said ‘Whoa? You guys haven’t played together for all that time? And somebody whispered to me ‘That’s Nirvana. You’re Kurt.’ I couldn’t believe it.

Does this mean McCartney will take the stage draped in flannel to belt out "Heart Shaped Box" tonight—even though Cobain allegedly once said, "I like the Beatles, but I hate Paul McCartney"? Reaction to the Nirvana "reunion" has united grunge lifers and Beatlemaniacs in  outrage:

But some remain skeptical, knowing how British tabloids like to blow things out of proportion:

It's worth noting that this wouldn't be the first time Grohl and Novoselic have played together after Cobain's death. They were both on the new Foo Fighters album from last year, and they've been recording with Nevermind producer Butch Vig lately. On top of that, Paul McCartney will play with just about anyone. Remember his brief stint alongside Linkin Park and Jay-Z?

To find out whether or not McCartney gleefully "oohs" all over "Smells Like Teen Spirit," tune into this livestream tonight:

This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.