August 2001-Canadian band Nickelback releases "How You Remind Me," the lead single of their third album and major label debut Silver Side Up. The song is a massive hit on radio and MTV. Cobain is heard to remark, "it's okay if that's the kind of stuff that you go for." Also, Creed releases the lead single of their upcoming third album Weathered, entitled "My Sacrifice."
September 7, 2001-The members of Nirvana arrive in New York City to recuperate for a brief period before flying back westward. They have tickets for a concert marking Michael Jackson's 30th year as a solo entertainer in three days, and a lengthy interview with MTV News in between.
September 9, 2001-The members sit down to be interviewed by Kurt Loder and Carson Daly. In the interview, Cobain mentions the difficulty of getting used to the results of the election, particularly the fact that the economy has faltered considerably and President Bush has passed a massive trillion dollar tax cut for the wealthy. "You'd think someone like me would be really happy that I pay the IRS less than before, but I know that's what the government needs. Without it, we're just borrowing, and the type of borrowing that's going on from other countries can't possibly be sustainable." He also mentions that "it was interesting to see the area that's full of so much religious tension, and the people who are inclined to hate us. I know that it's a powder keg, and I hope that it doesn't go off." Vice President Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld rail against Cobain's statements, especially as a diversion to the news that billions of dollars has apparently been unaccounted for in the Pentagon.
September 10, 2001-Michael Jackson: The 30th Anniversary Celebration is held at Madison Square Garden. Similar to the 30th anniversary celebration given for Bob Dylan nine years earlier, the show consists of several contemporary acts paying tribute by doing their own versions of Jackson's songs (notably an incredibly rail-thin Whitney Houston, who seems to be quite under the influence), then a set, or rather two, by Jackson himself, first doing a set reunited with his brothers, then 3 songs by himself. Cobain, his bandmates and family attend the show and have a private dinner with Jackson himself at Tavern On The Green.