This September, grunge legend and Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain will appear in Guitar Hero 5.  He will be available as a playable character for two of Nirvana’s legendary songs from the 1991 album “Nevermind.”  The songs are the iconic “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and a previously unreleased live version of “Lithium.”

“Kurt Cobain is one of the most recognizable frontmen in rock ‘n’ roll history and it’s an honor to have two of Nirvana’s masterpieces included in Guitar Hero 5,” said Tim Riley, Vice President of Music Affairs for Activision. “This is the first time the original recording of ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ has ever been licensed in an entertainment property and we’re thrilled to offer Guitar Hero fans exclusive access to the unreleased live version of ‘Lithium.’”  Every time a previously unreleased Nirvana single is made public it’s a pretty big deal, so expect a lot of hype around this track.

This feature of the upcoming game will be a big deal for many people who grew up in the 1990s and identified with Nirvana’s music.  His appearance will be cool, if nothing else.  Let’s just hope Courtney Love stays out of the game.

For those nostalgic for the dead, also being resurrected for a guest appearance in GH5 is Johnny Cash, playing “Ring of Fire.”