Nirvana

Nirvana were to generationX what the Beatles were to their fans, true rock and roll Idols, legends in their own time, and for Nirvana, with each passing year since their tragic downfall, their popularity somehow seems to grow rather than decrease.

Nirvana sprung from the Seattle underground hardcore scene that spawned not only Nirvana, but contemporary grungers Pearl Jam, and gave rise to the whole Grunge phenomenon. Kurt Cobain was born in a small town on the outskirts of Seattle, and grew up listening to the beatles, before discovering the harder guitars of Led Zepplin, in 1985 Cobain met Chris Novoselic, and the two formed their first band. Known as the Stiff Woodies, Cobain played drums, Novoselic bass while they went through several line up changes on guitar.

1987 saw the birth of Nirvana, Cobain moved to guitar, alongside Jason Everman, while Chad Channing played drums. In this form they attracted the attention of a local small time label, and recorded their Debut album Bleach in 1989. By 1990 Dave Grohl had been introduced to replace Channing, and Everman had been axed, leaving the Nirvana incarnation that trancended the dizzzy heights of superstardom. The band toured Europe with their long time friends from the Seattle hardcore scene Sonic Youth, which attracted them major attention by 1991, and secured them a major label deal to record their second album.

Released in autumn 1991, Nevermind was an instant smash, It rocketed to #1, knocking Michael Jackson off top spot, while it's first single - Smells Like Teen Spirit - was a monster hit. Nirvana, and Kurt Cobain as their front man had been catapaulted into the mainstream.

The mainstream succsess however was not quite the fairy tale story for Nirvana you might imagine. Cobain at the same time as lapping up the adoration of the fans, detested the way that the mosh pit was filled with sheep, jumping onto an MTV inspired bandwagon without ever understanding any of the songs. In the post Nevermind stardom, rumours abounded of the bands Heroin addiction, Cobain was hospitalized several times for "chronic stomach pains", and married Hole singer Courtney Love, while the band continued to put off their third studio album. To abait the clamour for new Nirvana material (largely from the mainstream market than the music was supposed to alienate rather than convert) Geffen released a compilation of rarities and B sides, Insesticide.

By 1994, Nirvana finally recorded their third studio album, In Utero. The album spoke about alienation, and was filled with jibes at the music industry, and Nirvana's 'sucksess'. After the release of the album, Cobain's mental and physical health continued to deteriorate, then, on a European tour, Cobain suffered a drug overdose, and was sent to a rehab centre in L.A. On April 1 he escaped, and found his way home to seattle. On April 5 1994 his body was found with a self inflicted gun wound to the head.

After Cobains Suicide, Nirvana's popularity, grew, but this was more than a knee jerk reaction, as it still continues to grow. For GenerationX Cobain is their John Lennon, Nirvana are their Rock and Roll salvation.