Nirvana

US indie-rock legends Nirvana, almost single-handedly brought the "grunge" subculture into the mainstream. Their breakthrough second album released in late-1991, NEVERMIND, topped the US charts early in 1992, eclipsing much-vaunted competition from Michael Jackson and Dire Straits. Cobain, however, was already struggling with his new role as spokesman for a generation. His struggle with heroin, and the tempestuous relationship with his wife Courtney Love--of the band Hole--were also taking their toll. The more abrasive follow-up, IN UTERO, while not having the same commercial impact of it's predecessor, confirmed the quality of Cobain's songwriting. His tragic suicide in April 1994 robbed the music world of a huge talent, but his recorded legacy endures. In October 2002 NIRVANA--a "Greatest Hits" album--rocketed to the upper reaches of the UK and US album charts, selling over a million copies within a month.

• rock
• grunge
• alternative/indie
• 1990s
• 1980s
• 2000s