Legendary rock band stages surprise reunion for first time in 7 years

For the first time in almost ten years, a legendary rock band came together to play at FireAid.

“Near the end of the benefit concert for L.A. wildfire relief, the remaining members of Nirvana took the stage,” Rolling Stone said. In addition to guitarist Pat Smear, bassist Krist Novoselic, and drummer Dave Grohl, the unexpected concert included guest vocalists Joan Jett (Territorial Pissings), Kim Gordon (School), St. Vincent (onBreed), and Grohl’s 18-year-old daughter Violet Grohl (All Apologies).

Ultimate Classic Rock claims that Dave Grohl’s performance on Thursday night marked his first appearance on stage since he came clean about fathering an unwed kid in September. The frontman of the Foo Fighters shared vocals with his daughter for the heartfelt song “All Apologies,” but he did not address the audience during the performance.

At the FIREAID Benefit Concert for California Fire Relief held at The Kia Forum in Inglewood, California on January 30, 2025, Dave Grohl, Violet Grohl, and Kim Gordon perform onstage (L-R). (Image courtesy of Scott Dudelson/FIREAID/Getty Images)The FIREAID Getty Images photo

Following Kurt Cobain’s murder in 1994, Nirvana broke up, but they got back together in 2012 for the Sound City documentary song “Cut Me Some Slack,” which featured Paul McCartney. At the 2014 Nirvana Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, Grohl, Novoselic, and Smear also shared the stage with St. Vincent, Gordon, Jett, and Lorde. In 2018, the band’s most recent performance was at Cal Jam in San Bernardino.

In order to avoid coming across as a eulogy, Grohl stated to Rolling Stone in 2014 that he only intended to perform Nirvana songs with female vocalists. The future was more important.

At the time, Grohl remarked, “It was like seeing a ghost the first time we played together.” It was a bit more taciturn the second time. And the last time we played, it reminded me of that f—ing Ghost scene with Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze on the pottery wheel. By the third take, we generally had the tune. It began to resemble Nirvana. When we first launched into Scentless Apprentice, our road crew and a few friends were there in the room. The floor was covered in jaws.

On January 30, 2025, in Inglewood, California, St. Vincent (2nd R) joins Pat Smear, Dave Grohl, and Krist Novoselic of Nirvana onstage at the FIREAID Benefit Concert for California Fire Relief at The Kia Forum. (Image courtesy of Scott Dudelson/FIREAID/Getty Images)The FIREAID Getty Images photo

To collect money for disaster relief efforts in the Los Angeles area, the FireAid benefit concert was held at the Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum. Green Day, Billie Eilish, Rod Stewart, Joni Mitchell, Dr. Dre, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Lady Gaga were among the other artists.