Courtney Love was born in San Francisco, California in 1964, before moving to Portland, Oregon where she grew up. She is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. In the ‘90s, Love was a prominent figure in both the scenes of alternative rock and grunge music. She is known for her controversial performance style and lyricism, which often sparked widespread attention and controversy. In 2013 NME labelled her “one of the most influential singers in alternative culture in the last 30 years.”
Growing up in Portland, Courtney Love developed her passion for different musical styles by becoming active in the local new wave and punk scenes. This passion bore fruit with the inception of the band Hole, with which she became the lead singer. Hole formed in 1989 and released their debut album, “Pretty on the Inside” in 1991. Produced under the label Caroline Records, this album received critical acclaim. With Hole, Love became an influential figure for female alternative rock and grunge performers, with her reputedly saying ‘I want every girl in the world to pick up a guitar and start screaming’.
In 1992, Love married Kurt Cobain, frontman of alternative rock and grunge band, Nirvana. This tumultuous marriage drew huge public attention around her and Cobain’s personal lives. In 1994, Cobain tragically committed suicide, and two months after, Hole bassist Kristen M. Puff lost her life due to a drug overdose.
Hole’s second album, released under the label DGC Records, was titled “Live Through This”. It was softer in tone in comparison to their prior album and evoked the heartbreak, trauma and pain that Love felt during this turbulent time in her life. It was one of the top 100 albums of all time by NME.
In 2004, Love released “America’s Sweetheart”, her first solo record, through Virgin records. She later released “Nobody’s Daughter” with Hole, in 2010. She has confirmed that since 2020, she has started to write and compose new music.
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