Bootleg tape uncovered from Nirvana’s sole Calgary tour stop in 1991 – months before they skyrocketed to fame
On March 4, 1991, a young Calgarian named Jason Pay embarked on a journey that would unknowingly place him in the midst of music history. Armed with his dad’s Dictaphone, Pay made his way to the Westward Club in Calgary, where a relatively unknown Seattle grunge band was set to perform. Little did he know that the band, Nirvana, would soon skyrocket to fame with their groundbreaking album, Nevermind.
Despite a snowstorm raging outside, Pay and his friends, including Geoff McFetridge and Silas Kaufman, made up a significant portion of the small crowd gathered to see Nirvana that night. Pay recorded the show on his device, capturing a moment in time that would later be hailed as a rare piece of music history.
The setlist for the concert included iconic songs such as Love Buzz, About a Girl, and Lithium. As Pay recorded the show, he caught the attention of bassist Krist Novoselic, who repeatedly yelled at him from the stage. Undeterred, Pay approached Kurt Cobain after the show to seek permission to keep the recording. Cobain, impressed by Pay’s dedication, granted his request on the condition that the recording not be sold.
Fast forward 34 years, and the tape of that historic concert was recently uncovered by Nirvana enthusiast Mike Jenkins at the Calgary Music Collectors Show. Jenkins, on a mission to find evidence of the concert, stumbled upon Pay’s recording and was thrilled to hear the raw intensity of Nirvana’s performance that night.
The discovery of the tape has brought back fond memories for Pay, McFetridge, and Kaufman, who recall the blizzard-like conditions and the sheer dedication of the band, with Cobain even smashing his guitar at the end of the show. The photo from that night, captured from the stage, remains a mystery in terms of the photographer, but it serves as a reminder of a truly unforgettable experience.
Jenkins, working with the Calgary Cassette Preservation Society, is planning a celebration to honor the found tape and preserve this piece of music and Calgary history. Pay, who still possesses the original recording, has no intention of selling it, upholding his promise to Cobain.
The recording of Nirvana’s 1991 Calgary concert is not just a snapshot of a band on the brink of superstardom, but a testament to the power of music and the impact it can have on individuals and communities. The legacy of that night lives on in the tape that Pay carefully preserved, ensuring that the memory of Nirvana’s performance in Calgary will never fade.
