The iconic series MTV Unplugged will be coming to Paramount+ in the US, it has been revealed.
- READ MORE: MTV Unplugged – the 20 best performances
Launched in 1989, the series staged special performances from popular performers in an acoustic setting. It aired regularly from 1989-1999, and then less frequently in the ‘00s, often billed as MTV Unplugged No. 2.0. Since then, specials have aired on occasion, with performances by BTS as well as Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett being featured in recent years.
The legacy of the show was built on iconic ’90s episodes, many of which were subsequently released as albums. Perhaps most famous was Nirvana’s performance, which was recorded in November 1993, five months before singer Kurt Cobain’s death.
It was released as an album in late 1994, winning Nirvana their only Grammy, and is considered one of the greatest live albums of all time.
Over 50 episodes of the live performance series have been added to the streaming service in the US alongside episodes of VH1 Storytellers and CMT Crossroads. As of yet, these are available to US viewers only. NME reached out to Paramount+, who confirmed that the episodes are not available on the UK version of the service.
Coming from Seasons one to eight and 10-13, the MTV Unplugged episodes include memorable performances from Paul McCartney, R.E.M., Alanis Morissette, and Bob Dylan. The most recent performance available to viewers will be Shawn Mendes’ special in 2017.
Famous moments from available episodes include Alice In Chains’ Layne Staley making one of his last performances in 1996, as well as an infamous incident at Oasis’ unplugged session in the same year. The band’s frontman Liam Gallagher pull out at the last minute, only to reappear in the crowd at the Royal Festival Hall to heckle his brother Noel, who had taken over vocals.
In early February, it was announced that Eric Clapton’s MTV Unplugged performance was due to receive a 30th Anniversary remaster.