A rare bootlegged tape of Nirvana’s first and only Calgary show, recorded 34 years ago, has surfaced, offering a glimpse into the band’s early days before they became icons of the grunge movement. The live recording from March 4, 1991, was captured just months before the Seattle band would explode into the mainstream with their album Nevermind.
Mike Bell, a former music reviewer for the Calgary Herald and Calgary Sun, was in the audience at the Westward Club, which is now the site of Hotel Arts. Reflecting on the concert, Bell recalls Nirvana as a green band with little fanfare. “They were just getting going. I don’t think there was any kind of hint that they were going to be Nirvana-Nirvana,” Bell said.
The bootleg tape came into the hands of Nirvana enthusiast Mike Jenkins, who had been searching for it for two years. Jenkins received the recording from the family of Larry Smith, a local record store owner who passed away last year. Smith’s daughter gifted Jenkins the tape after he met the family at a Calgary Music Collectors Show.
Jenkins shared that the tape, recorded on a Dictaphone by Jason Pay, a concert attendee, includes a raw live performance where bassist Krist Novoselic introduces the band with “We’re Nirvana,” followed by the show. The recording, which features several cuts between songs, is believed to be incomplete due to Pay being caught by the band while recording. Kurt Cobain reportedly gave Pay permission to keep the tape, as long as it wasn’t sold.
Jenkins, working with the Calgary Cassette Preservation Society, aims to preserve the tape and share it with the world. “It’s really wonderful to have this documented,” said Arif Ansari from the society. “The Nirvana community is especially excited about this piece of history.”
Jenkins and Ansari are planning a special viewing party and are encouraging anyone who attended the show to share their stories and memorabilia.
Source: Swifteradio.com
