March 31, 2006 11:03

Courtney Love sells Nirvana

New deal means Kurt's songs will be heard in 'places it's never been before'

Photo Gallery: Nirvana

Courtney Love has sold 25% share of Nirvana’s publishing catalogue.

The singer, who was married to Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain prior to his suicide in 1994, has said she’s sold the share to Larry Mestel of Primary Wave Music Publishing.

"I took on a strategic partner, Larry Mestel, to help me co-manage the estate because it was overwhelming," Love said. "The affairs of Nirvana are so massive and so huge, and they've all fallen on my lap. I own almost all of [the publishing] and it proved to be too much for me. I needed a partner to take Kurt Cobain's songs and bring them into the future and into the next generation. And this guy's the guy to do it."

Mestel told Rolling Stone: "The appeal to me is that Kurt was one of the most important songwriters of his time. Kurt was an incredible songwriter, and Courtney is an exceptionally talented person herself. So I felt the combination of Courtney's creativity and the things I can add can really help in creating more value for these copyrights."

When the sale was rumoured earlier this year, U2 singer Bono was in the frame. However, it appears that early meetings between the pair came to nothing.

Now, with the new partner, Love has to decide how to use the catalogue. She added: "We're going to remain very tasteful, and we're going to (retain) the spirit of Nirvana and take Nirvana places it's never been before.”

Love is also working on a new record, the follow-up to 2004' ’America’s Sweetheart'.

How do you think the Nirvana back catalogue will be used? Deodorant adverts? Soundtracking American Pie 5? The new Labour Party anthem? Have your say.