Guide Note

Nirvana is an alternative rock band from Aberdeen, Washington who brought the Seattle-based Grunge movement to the mainstream with the massive success of their 1991 album Nevermind. Just three years later, the band met its end when lead singer/guitarist and songwriter Kurt Cobain committed suicide. The commercial success of Nirvana became the harbinger of other Seattle acts such as Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains (who all went on to have widespread success of their own), and almost singlehandedly brought an end to the dominance of '80s metal on mainstream radio.

Nirvana's sound was defined by Cobain's gravelly voice, honest and sometimes tortured lyrics, and a ruthlessly loud and driving rhythm section made up of future Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl on drums and Krist Novoselic on bass.

Fast Facts

1. Hometown: Aberdeen, Washington
2. Years Active: 1987—1994
3. Nevermind certified Diamond by RIAA (10 million units)
4. Labels: Sub Pop, DGC Records
5. Studio Albums:
   • Bleach (1989)
   • Nevermind (1991)
   • In Utero (1993)
6. Drummer Dave Grohl went on to found Foo Fighters

On April 8, 1994, Nirvana fans were devastated to hear that Cobain shot himself in his Seattle home. His discomfort with the inordinate amount of fame that came with Nirvana's success in addition to struggles with heroin addiction appeared to be factors in his suicide. The band had released just three studio albums, one compilation, and one acoustic live album when he died.