Nirvana Accepts VMA Vanguard Award Without Live Performance
Nirvana received the MTV Video Vanguard Award at the 2026 VMAs on September 27, with surviving members Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear accepting the honor without performing. Novoselic delivered a speech praising the band's authenticity and Kurt Cobain's vision, while Smear lit a cigarette on stage. The award recognizes the band's impact on music video culture, particularly their 1991 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' clip.