Nirvana Accepts 2026 Video Vanguard Award, Honors Cobain

Nirvana’s surviving members Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear accepted the 2026 MTV Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, September 27, honoring the band’s music-video legacy and remembering frontman Kurt Cobain. Novoselic spoke about Cobain’s influence and the lasting connection listeners have with Nirvana’s music. Public Enemy’s Chuck D introduced the band, describing its music and videos as influential and distinctive. A video segment about Nirvana preceded the presentation. Grohl, Novoselic and Smear then accepted the award; Novoselic delivered the principal remarks, while Grohl also briefly addressed the audience, according to accounts of the ceremony. Novoselic credited Cobain’s vision with shaping the band’s videos and said Nirvana had not expected its sound and aesthetic to reach so many people. He said the music had taken on a life of its own and that the band continued to resonate because listeners sought authenticity and music that felt uncompromising. He also said Cobain would have appreciated the legacy. Grohl said he thought about Cobain every day and thanked people for continuing to pay attention to the band.