MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Long forgotten Kurt Cobain memorabilia found at Seattle record store

Sep 9, 2019, 11:02 AM | Updated: Sep 10, 2019, 6:06 am

Kurt Cobain...

Kurt Cobain is shown in a file photo from April 9, 1993 during a benefit concert at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California. (AP)

(AP)

Matt Vaughan bought a record collection in the early 1990s. With plenty of product already on hand, the owner of Seattle’s Easy Street Records put the collection in storage at the time.

But going through that storage recently, store employees realized there was more than records in that collection.

Watch: Dave Grohl, Brandi Carlile busk at Seattle’s Pike Place Market

“Matt bought a record collection back in 1993 off of someone who was most likely friends with Kurt,” said Dillon Sterns, an employee at Easy Street Records.

Kurt, as in Kurt Cobain of the legendary Seattle band Nirvana.

“I’m not sure what the worth could be,” he said. “I’m sure it’s worth what someone is willing to pay for it, that kind of a thing.”

Stuffed in the record collection were receipts and various paperwork related to Cobain and Nirvana. There were old tour schedules, handwritten notes, a backstage pass, a pass due doctor’s bill, a money order to Cobain’s Olympia landlord, and a royalty check for $26.57 from a music company. The royalty check was never cashed. It would be worth about $50 in 2019, according to NME.

“I’m assuming the Royalty check is pretty rare,” Sterns said. “It’s from like six months before Nevermind came out.”

It was dated March 6, 1991 to be exact. The band’s hit Nevermind album was released September 26, 1991, so by the time the record collection was purchased, the group was fairly well-known across the globe. The only album they released before Nevermind was Bleach, released in 1989.

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Easy Street Records (@easystreetrecords) on

“I know he had written some notes in the tour itinerary of local places to eat and stuff like that which is kind of cool,” Sterns said.

Vaughan told NME that, initially, it just appeared to be a record collection with some itinerary books. Such itinerary books were quite common and didn’t stand out. Lots of bands had them, their roadies, friends, etc. But in this case, the book had a bit more.

NME further reports that the tour itineraries were for Nirvana’s 1992 Nevermind tour through the United Kingdom, and also a 1993 tour for the In Utero album.

KIRO Radio’s Diane Duthweiler contributed to this story.

MyNorthwest News

bellevue party house...

James Lynch

Summer’s almost over, but Bellevue police say the traffic crackdown will continue

The Bellevue Police Department is closing out its "100 Safe Days of Summer" campaign with a weeklong emphasis.

33 minutes ago

seattle shooting...

James Lynch

Man seriously injured in Delridge, shooter on the loose

Seattle officers are currently searching for a shooting suspect in the Delridge neighborhood.

1 hour ago

leavenworth...

MyNorthwest Staff

Deadly crash being investigated on SR 2 near Leavenworth

A deadly crash is being investigated near Leavenworth.

1 hour ago

katie wilson seattle recall...

Jillian Raftery

‘We are still reviewing’: National nonprofit’s support for Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson recall is short on details

A national nonprofit said it backs the recall of Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson. But key questions remain unanswered.

1 hour ago

strike seattle teachers...

Brooke Griffin, KIRO 7 News

SPS teachers inching closer to going on strike, as contract expires tonight

The clock is ticking for Seattle Public Schools (SPS) and the Seattle Education Association to strike a new contract deal.

3 hours ago

Kitsap Fast Ferry...

Nate Connors

September brings changes to the Kitsap Fast Ferry Service

Beginning Tuesday, the Kitsap Fast Ferry Service will return to its pre-pandemic schedule, eliminating 14 daily sailings.

3 hours ago

Long forgotten Kurt Cobain memorabilia found at Seattle record store