Nirvana was an American rock band formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. Founded by lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic, the band went through a succession of drummers, most notably Chad Channing, before recruiting Dave Grohl in 1990. Nirvana's success popularized alternative rock, and they were often referenced as the figurehead band of Generation X. Their music maintains a popular following and continues to influence modern rock culture.
In the late 1980s, Nirvana established itself as part of the Seattle grunge scene, releasing its first album, Bleach, for the independent record label Sub Pop in 1989. They developed a sound that relied on dynamic contrasts, often between quiet verses and loud, heavy choruses. After signing to the major label DGC Records in 1991, Nirvana found unexpected mainstream success with "Smells Like Teen Spirit", the first single from their landmark second album Nevermind (1991). A cultural phenomenon of the 1990s, Nevermind was certified Diamond by the RIAA and is credited for ending the dominance of hair metal.
Characterized by their punk aesthetic, Nirvana's fusion of pop melodies with noise, combined with their themes of abjection and social alienation, brought them global popularity. Following extensive tours and the 1992 compilation album Incesticide and EP Hormoaning, the band released their highly anticipated third studio album, In Utero (1993). The album topped both the US and UK album charts, and was acclaimed by critics. Nirvana disbanded following Cobain's suicide in April 1994. Further releases have been overseen by Novoselic, Grohl, and Cobain's widow, Courtney Love. The live album MTV Unplugged in New York (1994) won Best Alternative Music Performance at the 1996 Grammy Awards.
Nirvana is one of the bestselling bands of all time, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide. During their three years as a mainstream act, Nirvana received an American Music Award, Brit Award and Grammy Award, as well as seven MTV Video Music Awards and two NME Awards. They achieved five number-one hits on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and four number-one albums on the Billboard 200. In 2004, Rolling Stone named Nirvana among the 100 greatest artists of all time. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility in 2014
I've been a fan of Nirvana for about three years, as of writing this. I'm no veteran fan, and I certainly wasn't raised on it, but I've absolutely become enthralled with it. In fact, as of right now I'm listening to Marigold, because Nirvana's discography is all so comforting to me.
A lot of songs deal with very difficult topics, which most fans are well aware of. One listen to Polly and you'll understand what I mean. In a strange sort of way though, the dark tone of the band's lyrics lends a comforting hand. Some odd form of catharsis, you see yourself in the lyrics and feel someone else with the same pain.
Naturally, as a fan, I have a lot of thoughts. I find myself analyzing lyrics, digging deep into their meanings, and while I may be a 'literalist' in the sense that metaphors often pass me by, I can still admire what I see within this wonderful art.
Nirvana has found their way into millions of peoples hearts, even years after the passing of Kurt Cobain. Not many bands can claim to have that. Even with Kurt Cobain in a better place, we can enjoy Nirvana and their music.
It isn't just the music though. I can also sing my praises about the band members themselves.
Not just Kurt, but the whole band, were so kind and helpful to their fans. They stood their ground on what they believed in, and did not budge. Oftentimes, they would stop shows to call out creeps in the audience, and laugh at them in front of everyone.