Through their music, Nirvana channeled the voice of a generation. Now, thirty years after ‘Nevermind,’ look back at Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl, and Krist Novoselic during highlights of the band’s short but legendary career.
Though they were only a band for a few short years, Nirvana left an indelible mark on music and culture. Formed in 1987 with guitarist/lead singer Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic, the group found its groove when recruiting drummer Dave Grohl in 1990. After releasing ‘Bleach’ for independent label Sub Pop in 1989, the group – not happy with Sub Pop – signed with Geffen Records. ‘Nevermind’ arrived in September 1996, roughly a month after the album’s lead single, ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit,’ was released to radio. ‘Teen Spirit’ eventually released No. 6 on the Billboard Top 100, and announced a new sound that would eventually be dubbed grunge. In 1993, ‘In Utero,’ the band’s third and final album, was released to commercial and critical success. Sadly, Kurt – who battled mental health issues and drug addiction for years – succumbed to his demons the following year. On April 5, 1994, the Nirvana frontman died by suicide. He was found dead in his Seattle home three days later.
Since then, the legacy of Nirvana has continued to grow. Take a look back at the band through their short but powerful career.
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Nirvana In 1990
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Kurt Cobain sings during a Nirvana show in February 1990. This shot was taken during their ‘On The Bleach Tour,’ at Bogart’s in Long Beach, California. Roughly six months after this photo, Nirvana would blow up and go on to become one of the biggest bands in the world.
August 25, 2021, 10:55AM 2 of 14
Nirvana Together
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Though Nirvana cycled through drummers in the first few years of the band’s existence, this is the lineup that has come to define the group. Dave Grohl — long before he would start the Foo Fighters — is seated left, next to Krist Novoselic, and Kurt Cobain.
August 25, 2021, 10:54AM 3 of 14
Krist Novoselic
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Following the death of Kurt Cobain in 1994, Krist Novoselic – pictured here in 1991 at the Roxy in LA – formed bands Sweet 75 and Eyes Adrift. He played with punk band Flipper from 2006 to 2009 and has performed with groups like The No WTO Combo and With Giants In The Trees. However, his post-Nirvana career has been best defined by politics. He has worked for electoral reform and additional causes.
August 25, 2021, 10:55AM 4 of 14
Nirvana In 1993
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Nirvana — Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, and Dave Grohl — seen in 1993. The group was credited with instigating the sea change in popular music, with grunge and alternative music becoming the sound of GenX.
August 25, 2021, 10:55AM 5 of 14
Kurt Cobain In 1991
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Kurt Cobain performs during the Aug. 1991 show at the Roxy in Hollywood. Often called the voice of his generation, Kurt’s distinct vocals would find their way to radio, record stores, and on MTV.
August 25, 2021, 10:55AM
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Nirvana In London
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NIRVANA – DAVE GROHL, KURT COBAIN AND KRIST NOVOSELIC IN LONDON, BRITAIN
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August 25, 2021, 10:55AM 7 of 14
Nirvana In 1993
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Nirvana was very photogenic. Here in 1992, the band poses in front of a Jenny Holzer installation in NYC. It was one of many iconic photos of the group before Kurt’s passing.
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Dave Grohl In Concert
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Dave Grohl, a sweaty drummer. Prior to Nirvana, Dave performed in DC-area punk band, Scream.
August 25, 2021, 10:54AM 9 of 14
Nirvana At The MTV VMas
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Nirvana poses after receiving an award for best alternative video for “In Bloom” at the 10th annual MTV Video Music Awards in Universal City, California. The group’s videos were a staple of 90s MTV.
August 25, 2021, 10:55AM 10 of 14
Nirvana In 1991
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Krist Novoselic and Kurt Cobain perform in front of the Roxy in Hollywood in 1991. The group would play for packed houses and tour across the globe before it was all said and done.
August 25, 2021, 10:54AM 11 of 14
Kurt Cobain Sings
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Kurt Cobain sings during the 1991 Reading Festival in Britain.
In March 1994, during a tour stop in Europe, Kurt was diagnosed with severe laryngitis. He flew to Rome for medical treatment, and was joined by wife Courtney Love. On March 3, 1994, Courtney discovered Kurt had overdosed on champagne and Rohypnol. In the following decades, this has been seen as Kurt’s first suicide attempt.
August 25, 2021, 10:54AM 12 of 14
Nirvana In 1991
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Dave Grohl performs during the Roxy show in August 1991. Following Nirvana’s breakup, Dave has found success fronting the Foo Fighters, and has played in a number of bands — including Probot, Queens of the Stone Age, Tenacious D, Them Crooked Vulture, etc.
August 25, 2021, 10:54AM 13 of 14
Nirvana Together
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With second-hand clothing (because they couldn’t afford anything else), flannel shirts (because it gets cold in Seattle), and a punk-infused attitude and metal-twinged sound, Nirvana helped usher in the grunge era. It would midwife the alternative rock movement that would see the breakthrough of punk in the mainstream, giving bands like Green Day, Bad Religion, and The Offspring a chance at the spotlight. Nirvana would continue to influence bands well after Kurt’s death in 1994, with the rise of nu-metal in the early 2000s. The band would also be honored with the new generation of SoundCloud rappers, who cited their sound as an influence.
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