Lorde fronts Nirvana Hall of Fame performance

Musicians Lorde and Dave Grohl perform onstage at the 29th Annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony in New York. Photo / Getty Images

Lorde has fronted a performance by the surviving members of Nirvana as the grunge era band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in New York.

The Kiwi pop star was the last of a medley of female singers to sing Kurt Cobain's songs, backed by Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear.

She performed

All Apologies

, a track from the band's 1993 final studio album

In Utero.

"She's passionate, so she's perfect for the job," said Novoselic about the singer who hadn't been born when the band were at their height.

Other female singers involved in Nirvana's performance were St Vincent, Kim Gordon and Joan Jett.

After the performance Lorde tweeted: "So honoured and happy I got to to help celebrate Nirvana's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction tonight. True [expletive] rock stars, all forever."

"And man, Joan Annie and Kim give a healthy display of Coolest Women You Will Ever Meet Behaviour."

Cobain's widow Courtney Love spoke briefly after Novoselic and Grohl said their thank yous following the induction by former R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe.

This week marks the he 20th anniversary of Cobain's self-inflicted death.

Lorde has just finished performing in Mexico City, where she fronted a press conference, and is due to perform at the Coachella music festival in Palm Springs on Saturday night.

- nzherald.co.nz