Cobain's Guitar Hero Cameo Brings Legal Threat; 'Activision Smugly Boasting of Rape,' Says Love

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Musician Courtney Love has launched a strongly worded and rather vulgar campaign against the use of her deceased husband's likeness in Guitar Hero 5, claiming that she is "going to sue the shit out of [Activision]" over Kurt Cobain's in-game appearance.

A digital rendition of the Nirvana frontman performs "Smells Like Teen Spirit" during the game's career mode, after which players can use his likeness to perform any in-game song (such as "Play That Funky Music") in any capacity (drums, guitar, vocals).

Love says she "never signed [off] on the avatar" and adds "I think Kurt would despise this game alone let alone this avatar." Activision previously told Rolling Stone that it had gotten approval from Love, Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl and Primary Wave Publishing to use two Nirvana tunes and Cobain's likeness in the game.

"Courtney supplied us with photos and videos and knew exactly what she wanted Kurt to look like," the company explained. "She picked the wardrobe and hair style, which turned out to be the 'Teen Spirit' look, then we went back and forth over changes."

Cobain's not the only real-life rock star to appear in the game. Digitized versions of Johnny Cash, Carlos Santana, Matt Bellamy (Muse) and Shirley Manson (Garbage) are also featured, and can also be used in any song and in any capacity once unlocked.

A summary of Love's tirade, culled from hundreds of near-incomprehensible Twitter updates, can be found below. Be warned, however, of some strong language.

WE are going to sue the shit out of ACtivision we being the Trust the Estate the LLC the various LLCs Cobain Enterprises

For the record this Guitar Hero shit is breach of contract on a Bullys part and there will be a proper addressing of this and retraction .

BRAGGING about this insane thing, fucking RECALLL and proper PR on this now. BRAGGING.activision gets DICK!

christ this is beyond comprehension activision are CUNT

the goddammed Lunchbox was it for me i get crucified over Converse shoes i didnt approve and stood it, then spy a lunchbox and nowGHERO?NO!!

yeah Jack WHite,Dylan,Petty,Kings of Leon, i dragged my ass and never signed of on the avatar, let alone this fucking"feature"i have NO say

FOR THE RECORD I DID NOT APPROVE KURTS AVATAR FOR GUYITARHERO5. i think Kurt would despise this game alone let alone this avatar

this is NECROPHILIC this is VILE please address all calls to my lawyer Kieth Fink Esquire who is FURIOUS And to my Publicist Rogers and Cowa

and they both also represent the Estate and Frances's Trust and if youd like to point the finger do so, Bruce Karsh at OAKTREE CAPITOL

and LARRY MESTEL at Primary WAVE not content to rape and pillage mydaughters "trust fund" a fucking JOKE in seattle called Laird NortonTyee

who do not know the difference between emi eom and bmi. who are greedy and lazy and forced me to 1 sell publishing rights then stole fromher

this goes to the VERY heart of what you motherfuckers refer to as my "ranting" NEVER underestimate a mothers love and NEVER underestimate

My ETERNAL and PURE love for my deceased husband, the guradian says Kurt has made 800m dollars(450mpounds) since passing,

ucking nmegafraud and youve got to show for it Kurt LUNCHBOXES< CONVERESE SNEAKERS AND ACTIVISION SMUGLY BOASTING OF RAPE

now theyre just LIQUIDATING kurt and IM THE DEVIL? I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH GUITAR HERO I LOATHE IT AND FIND IT ODIOUS KURT WOULD HAVE TOO

Chris Faylor was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    September 10, 2009 8:07 AM

    HOLY S$#@ no wonder Kurt (may he rest in peace) shot the living fuck out of himself!
    Good Grief Courtney, how about a class action lawsuit against that whore that drove the young lad fucking crazy which led to his sad demise?

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