Nirvana was an American rock music band formed by singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. Nirvana went through a succession of drummers, the longest-lasting being Dave Grohl, who joined the band in 1990. Despite releasing only three full-length studio albums in their seven-year career, Nirvana has come to be regarded as one of the most influential and important rock bands of the modern era. Though the band dissolved in 1994, their music continues to maintain a popular following and to inspire and influence modern rock and roll culture.
In the late 1980s, Nirvana established itself as part of the Seattle grunge scene, releasing its first album, Bleach, for the independent record label Sub Pop in 1989. The band eventually came to develop a sound that relied on dynamic contrasts, often between quiet verses and loud, heavy choruses. After signing to major label DGC Records, Nirvana found unexpected success with "Smells Like Teen Spirit", the first single from the band's second album Nevermind (1991). Nirvana's sudden success widely popularized alternative rock as a whole, and the band's frontman Cobain found himself referred to in the media as the "spokesman of a generation", with Nirvana being considered the "flagship band" of Generation X. In response, Nirvana's third studio album, In Utero (1993), released to critical acclaim, featured an abrasive, less mainstream sound and challenged the group's audience.
Nirvana's active career ended following the death of Kurt Cobain in 1994, but various posthumous releases have been issued since, overseen by Novoselic, Grohl, and Cobain's widow Courtney Love. Since its debut, the band has sold over 25 million records in the United States alone, and over 75 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time.
Outtake image of Kurt Cobain from a Nirvana publicity photo shoot to promote 'Nevermind', following their famous baby album cover
Nirvana captured during a publicity photo shoot for their pivotal album 'Nevermind', taken in a Los Angeles swimming pool.
Kirk Weddle photograph of Nirvana playing instruments underwater in a Californian swimming pool in October 1991.
Kurt Cobain captured in a cold LA swimming pool during a publicity photo shoot for Nirvana in 1991.
Dave Grohl messing around during his Nirvana days whilst on a publicity photo shoot, taken in Los Angeles in 1991
Kurt Cobain sleeping on a poolside whilst on Nirvana publicity shoot for 'Nevermind' in 1991
Underwater photos of Nirvana shot to complement the iconic album cover image from 'Nevermind'.
Outake image of Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl & Krist Novoselic jamming underwater on a Nirvana photo shoot
Undewater outtake from a Nirvana publicity shoot to promote their iconic album 'Nevermind'
Kurt Cobain's guitar, gently floating at the end of the famous Nevermind cover shoot by photographer Kirk Weddle.
Underwater photo of Krist Novoselic in a LA swimming pool whilst on a Nirvana publicty shoot
Taken on the set for a Nirvana publicity shoot for their album 'Nevermind'
Contact sheet of 1991 color film slides laid out on a light box from Kirk Weddle's historic Nevermind photo shoot with Nirvana
Nirvana photographed in a stairwell at the Astoria, London in November 1991.
Nirvana photographed outside the Dalmacia Hotel in Shepherd's Bush, London on a cold October morning in 1990.
Kurt Cobain, from Nirvana, sleeping backstage after supporting Sonic Youth at Sir Henry's Pub, Cork in August 1991
Kurt Cobain, from Nirvana, photographed in October 1990 outside the Dalmacia Hotel, Shepherd's Bush, London
'I thought of improvisation as a large ball of string (a melody as yet unravelled)'. Cover art for Phish's 1997 album Slip Stitch and Pass
Unique contact sheet print of AC/CD's, Angus Young by photographer David Corio, taken at Hammersmith Odeon, London, November 1st, 1979
Punk icon Sid Vicious reading MAD magazine in Baton Rouge, Louisiana during the Sex Pistols one and only US tour in January 1978.
Johnny Cash at home on his ranch in San Antonio, Texas in 1960, he always wore black, because he identified with the poor & the down trodden
Johnny Cash was known for his deep, calm bass-baritone voice and a trademark look, which earned him the nickname "The Man in Black"
Sir Elton John is an English pianist, singer-songwriter, composer & pop icon who has sold millions of records and won countless awards.
Ozzy Osbourne is a singer, songwriter & television personality who rose to prominence as the lead vocalist of the band Black Sabbath.
As a self-taught composer and performer, Zappa's diverse musical influences led him to create music that was often difficult to categorize.
A photographic celebration of Manchester's rock music history. Free exhibition at the University of Manchester
For eight years photographer Brian Duffy worked with David Bowie and shot his most iconic and enduring images. View his fantastic collection
The USA has given us many of the world's greatest music artists - we celebrate the best of the best
A fantastic curated collection of museum quality fine art prints by leading music photographer Barry Schultz
