Nirvana - a history of

Seattle-based Nirvana launched Grunge Music — and the Alternative Rock movement — into the mainstream with the realease of their 1991 album "Nevermind." Their emotionally abrasive, guitar-driven sound was entirely original blend of Punk Rock's trademark aggression, Heavy Metal's irreverant power and early Alternative Rock's addictive vocal melodies and set the tone for all Alternative Music to follow. Nirvana is still considered the definitive Alt Rock band.

The Early Years (1985 - 1990):

Kurt Cobain met Krist Novoselic in 1985 and formed a friendship based on a mutual appreciation of the Seattle band The Melvin's. They began playing together and formed a band which they eventually called Nirvana. After recording a number of singles and one album ("Bleach") with a series of drummers, they met D.C. hardcore drummer Dave Grohl in 1990 and invited him to join the band. Soon after, they signed to Geffen Records and produced their first major label album: the seminal "Nevermind."

Mainstream Success (1991-1992):

Initially, Geffen assumed "Nevermind" would be moderately successful, like a number of earlier Alt Rock albums. However, the album's first single "Smells Like Teen Spirit," became an overwhelming hit on MTV. In the six months following the album's release it sold three million copies, overshadowing the popularity of Hair Metal and displacing Michael Jackson's "Dangerous" on the Billboard charts. "Nevermind" signalled the beginning of a new phase in popular music.

Pressures of Fame (1993-1994):

With the wild success of "Nevermind," Nirvana became the unwilling voice of a new generation. Cobain, in particular, was seen as the spokesman for disaffected and disgruntled youths — a position he did not feel comfortable filling. In 1993, the band released "In Utero," which broke from the radio-friendly sound of "Nevermind" and upset many fans. During this time, as Nirvana continued touring nationally and internationally, the band members grew increasingly disillusioned.

Nirvana No More (1994):

On April 8, Kurt Cobain's body was found, lifeless, in the spare room of his home. The details of his death are still unclear, but most accounts label it as suicide. What is known is that Cobain was crippled by the stresses of fame and constant touring, suffered from chronic bronchitis and a stomach condition and was in the process of fighting a heroin addiction. His death was mourned by music fans around the world. But while it ended Nirvana, it could not stop the rising popularity of Alternative Music.

Legacy:

In their short time as a band, Nirvana popularized Seattle's Grunge sound and, indirectly, popularized many Independent and Alternative bands that had helped create that sound. Pre-grunge Alternative bands like The Pixies, early indie rock bands like Sonic Youth, other Grunge bands like Aice In Chains and even contemporary Alt / Indie bands like Death Cab For Cutie owe their popularity in some part to Nirvana — the first Alternative band to break into the mainstream airways.

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