Nirvana (band)

Singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic met while attending Aberdeen High School in Washington state.Azerrad, 1994. p. 209 The pair became friends while frequenting the practice space of the Melvins.Azerrad, 1994. p. 36 Cobain wanted to form a band with Novoselic, but Novoselic did not respond for a long period. Cobain gave him a demo tape of his project Fecal Matter. Three years after the two first met, Novoselic notified Cobain that he had finally listened to the Fecal Matter demo and suggested they start a group. Their first band, the Sellouts, was a Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band.{{cite news |title=Everybody Loves John Fogerty |url=https://www.npr.org/2013/09/04/217281876/everyone-loves-john-fogerty |access-date=January 4, 2020 |work=NPR |date=September 4, 2013 |archive-date=April 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425145921/https://www.npr.org/2013/09/04/217281876/everyone-loves-john-fogerty |url-status=live}} The project featured Novoselic on guitar and vocals, Cobain on drums, and Steve Newman on bass but only lasted a short time.Azerrad, 1994. p. 54-55 Another project, this time featuring originals, was also attempted in late 1986. Bob McFadden was enlisted to play drums, but after a month this project also fell through.Azerrad, 1994. p. 44–5 In early 1987, Cobain and Novoselic recruited drummer Aaron Burckhard.Azerrad, 1994. p. 57 They practiced material from Cobain's Fecal Matter tape but started writing new material soon after forming.Azerrad, 1994. p. 58

During its initial months, the band went through a series of names, including Skid Row, Pen Cap Chew, Bliss, and Ted Ed Fred.{{cite web |last1=Serra |first1=Nick |title=Live Nirvana Concert Chronology – 1987 |url=https://www.livenirvana.com/concerts/87.php |website=Live Nirvana |access-date=30 May 2023 |archive-date=February 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206094248/https://www.livenirvana.com/concerts/87.php |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Serra |first1=Nick |title=Live Nirvana Concert Chronology – 1988 |url=https://www.livenirvana.com/concerts/88.php |website=Live Nirvana |access-date=30 May 2023 |archive-date=February 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206091446/https://www.livenirvana.com/concerts/88.php |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Serra |first1=Nick |title=June 27, 1987 |url=https://www.livenirvana.com/concerts/87/87-06-27.php |website=Live Nirvana |access-date=26 March 2021 |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423125131/https://www.livenirvana.com/concerts/87/87-06-27.php |url-status=live }}True, 2007 The band played under the name Nirvana for the first time on March 19, 1988, at Community World Theater, Tacoma, Washington, together with the bands Lush and Vampire Lezbos.{{cite web |last1=Serra |first1=Nick |title=March 19, 1988 – Community World Theater, Tacoma, WA, US |url=https://www.livenirvana.com/concerts/88/88-03-19.php |website=Live Nirvana |access-date=30 May 2023 |archive-date=November 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101232852/https://www.livenirvana.com/concerts/88/88-03-19.php |url-status=live }} This concert's flyer, designed by Kurt Cobain, also mentioned all of the previous band names: "Nirvana (also known as... Skid Row, Ted Ed Fred, Pen Cap Chew, Bliss)".{{cite web |title=Nirvana March 19, 1988 concert flyer |url=https://www.livenirvana.com/concerts/images/1988/1988-03-19/1988-03-19_01.jpg |website=Live Nirvana |access-date=30 May 2023 |archive-date=November 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101233132/https://www.livenirvana.com/concerts/images/1988/1988-03-19/1988-03-19_01.jpg |url-status=live }} The group settled on Nirvana because, according to Cobain, "I wanted a name that was kind of beautiful or nice and pretty instead of a mean, raunchy punk name like the Angry Samoans."Azerrad, 1994. p. 61–2 The band were initially sued by the British band Nirvana over the usage of the name, reaching an out-of-court settlement.{{cite web|first=Mark|last=Beaumont|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2011/jun/29/viva-brother-name-change|title=From Nirvana to Viva Brother: what's in a name change|work=The Guardian|date=June 29, 2011|access-date=July 12, 2024}} Novoselic moved to Tacoma and Cobain to Olympia, Washington. They temporarily lost contact with Burckhard, and instead practiced with Dale Crover of the Melvins. Nirvana recorded its first demos in January 1988.Azerrad, 1994. p. 67–8

In early 1988, Crover moved to San Francisco but recommended Dave Foster as his replacement on drums.Azerrad, 1994. p. 73 Foster's tenure with Nirvana was a rocky one; during a stint in jail, he was replaced by Burckhard, who again departed after telling Cobain he was too hungover to practice one day.Azerrad, 1994. p. 76–7 Foster would rejoin the band, but after Cobain and Novoselic were introduced to drummer Chad Channing, the band would permanently dismiss him (although not before Foster witnessed the group play live without him).{{cite web |title=may 27, 1988 – the big pointy house, olympia, wa, us |url=https://www.livenirvana.com/concerts/88/88-05-27.php |website=Live Nirvana |access-date=12 March 2023}} Channing continued to jam with Cobain and Novoselic; however, by Channing's account, "They never actually said 'okay, you're in.{{'"}} Channing played his first show with Nirvana in late May 1988.Azerrad, 1994. p. 79

Nirvana released its first single, a cover of Shocking Blue's "Love Buzz", in November 1988 on the Seattle independent record label Sub Pop.Azerrad, 1994. p. 85 They did their first interview with John Robb in Sounds, which made their release its single of the week. The following month, the band began recording its debut album, Bleach, with local producer Jack Endino.Azerrad, 1994. p. 90–1 Bleach was influenced by the heavy dirge-rock of the Melvins, the 1980s punk rock of Mudhoney, and the 1970s heavy metal of Black Sabbath.Fricke, David. "Krist Novoselic". Rolling Stone. September 13, 2001. The money for the recording sessions for Bleach, listed as {{USD|606.17|long=No}} on the album sleeve, was supplied by Jason Everman, who was subsequently brought into the band as the second guitarist. Though Everman did not play on the album, he received a credit on Bleach because, according to Novoselic, they "wanted to make him feel more at home in the band".Azerrad, 1994. p. 91–2 Prior to the album's release, Nirvana became the first band to sign an extended contract with Sub Pop.Azerrad, 1994. p. 110–11

Bleach was released in June 1989, and became a favorite of college radio stations. Nirvana embarked on its first national tour,Azerrad, 1994. p. 111Young, Charles; O'Donnell, Kevin. [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/nirvana/albumguide "Nirvana: Album guide"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704181922/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/nirvana/albumguide |date=July 4, 2014 }}. Rolling Stone. April 11, 2010. Retrieved February 21, 2011. but canceled the last few dates and returned to Washington state due to increasing differences with Everman. No one told Everman he was fired; Everman later said he had quit.Azerrad, 1994. p. 115–20 Although Sub Pop did not promote Bleach as much as other releases, it was a steady seller,Azerrad, 1994. p. 134 and had initial sales of 40,000 copies.Price, David J. [https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267712/nirvanas-bleach-turns-20-new-live-recording-coming Nirvana's 'Bleach' Turns 20, New Live Recording Coming] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130052803/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267712/nirvanas-bleach-turns-20-new-live-recording-coming |date=November 30, 2020 }}. Billboard. August 4, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2011. According to the source, Bleach has now sold 1.7 million copies in the United States. However, Cobain was upset by the label's lack of promotion and distribution. In late 1989, Nirvana recorded the Blew EP with producer Steve Fisk.Azerrad, 1994. p. 123 In an interview with Robb, Cobain said the band's music was changing: "The early songs were really angry... But as time goes on the songs are getting poppier and poppier as I get happier and happier. The songs are now about conflicts in relationships, emotional things with other human beings."Robb, John. "White Heat". Sounds. October 21, 1989

File:Dave Grohl 1989.jpg performing with Scream in 1989|alt=]]In April 1990, Nirvana began working on their next album with producer Butch Vig at Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin.Azerrad, 1994. p. 137 Cobain and Novoselic became disenchanted with Channing's drumming, and Channing expressed frustration at not being involved in songwriting. As bootlegs of Nirvana demos with Vig began to circulate in the music industry and draw attention from major labels, Channing left the band.Azerrad, 1994. p. 138–39 That July, Nirvana recorded the single "Sliver" with Mudhoney drummer Dan Peters.Azerrad, 1994. p. 142 Dale Crover filled in on drums on Nirvana's seven-date American West Coast tour with Sonic Youth that August.Azerrad, 1994. p. 141

In September 1990, Buzz Osborne of the Melvins introduced the band to drummer Dave Grohl, whose Washington, D.C. band Scream had broken up.Azerrad, 1994. p. 151 Grohl auditioned for Novoselic and Cobain days after arriving in Seattle; Novoselic later said, "We knew in two minutes that he was the right drummer."Azerrad, 1994. p. 154 Grohl told Q: "I remember being in the same room with them and thinking, 'What? That{{'s}} Nirvana? Are you kidding?' Because on their record cover they looked like psycho lumberjacks... I was like, 'What, that little dude and that big motherfucker? You're kidding me'."Q, October 2010

Disenchanted with Sub Pop, and with the Smart Studios sessions generating interest, Nirvana sought a deal with a major record label since no indie label could buy them out of their contract.Azerrad, 1994. p. 136–37 Cobain and Novoselic consulted Soundgarden and Alice in Chains manager Susan Silver for advice.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=byoPYMdJ150C&pg=PA191 |title=Nirvana: The Biography |first=Everett |last=True |publisher=Da Capo Press |pages=191–192 |date=March 13, 2007 |isbn=9780786733903 |access-date=January 10, 2020 |archive-date=April 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422200921/https://books.google.com/books?id=byoPYMdJ150C&pg=PA191 |url-status=live }}{{cite book|first=Charles R.|last=Cross|author-link=Charles R. Cross|title=Heavier Than Heaven|publisher=Hyperion Books|location=New York City|date=August 15, 2001|isbn=0-7868-6505-9 |pages=486–488}} They met Silver in Los Angeles and she introduced them to agent Don Muller and music business attorney Alan Mintz, who was specialized in finding deals for new bands. Mintz started sending out Nirvana's demo tape to major labels looking for deals. Following repeated recommendations by Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon, Nirvana signed to DGC Records in 1990.Azerrad, 1994. p. 162 When Nirvana was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, Novoselic thanked Silver during his speech for "introducing them to the music industry properly".{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/read-nirvanas-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-acceptance-speech-242181/ |title=Read Nirvana's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Acceptance Speech |date=April 11, 2014 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=January 10, 2020 |archive-date=January 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170115095336/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/read-nirvanas-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-acceptance-speech-20140411 |url-status=live }}

After signing, the band began recording its first major label album, Nevermind. The group was offered a number of producers, but held out for Vig.Azerrad, 1994. p. 164–65 Rather than record at Vig's Madison studio as they had in 1990, production shifted to Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California. For two months, the band worked through a variety of songs. Some, such as "In Bloom" and "Breed", had been in Nirvana's repertoire for years, while others, including "On a Plain" and "Stay Away", lacked finished lyrics until midway through the recording process.Azerrad, 1994. pp. 176–77 After the recording sessions were completed, Vig and the band set out to mix the album. However, the recording sessions had run behind schedule and the resulting mixes were deemed unsatisfactory. Slayer mixer Andy Wallace was brought in to create the final mix. After the album's release, members of Nirvana expressed dissatisfaction with the polished sound the mixer had given Nevermind.Azerrad, 1994. pp. 179–80

File:CastingCallSmellsLikeTeenSpirit.jpg

Initially, DGC Records was hoping to sell 250,000 copies of Nevermind, the same they had achieved with Sonic Youth's Goo.Wice, Nathaniel. "How Nirvana Made It". Spin. April 1993. However, the first single, "Smells Like Teen Spirit", quickly gained momentum, boosted by major airplay of the music video on MTV. As it toured Europe during late 1991, the band found that its shows were dangerously oversold, that television crews were becoming a constant presence onstage, and that "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was almost omnipresent on radio and music television.Azerrad, 1994. p. 203 By Christmas 1991, Nevermind was selling 400,000 copies a week in the US.Lyons, James. Selling Seattle: Representing Contemporary Urban America. Wallflower, 2004. {{ISBN|1-903364-96-5}}, p. 120 In January 1992, the album displaced Michael Jackson's Dangerous at number one on the Billboard album charts, and topped the charts in numerous other countries.Azerrad, 1994. p. 239 The month Nevermind reached number one, Billboard proclaimed, "Nirvana is that rare band that has everything: critical acclaim, industry respect, pop radio appeal, and a rock-solid college/alternative base.""Nirvana Achieves Chart Perfection!" Billboard. January 25, 1992. The album eventually sold over seven million copies in the United StatesBasham, David. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1451583/got-charts-no-doubts-christmas-gift.jhtml "Got Charts? No Doubt's Christmas Gift; Nirvana Ain't No Beatles"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516203631/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1451583/got-charts-no-doubts-christmas-gift.jhtml |date=May 16, 2013 }}. MTV.com. December 20, 2001. Retrieved August 20, 2011. and over 30 million worldwide."[https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/470039/billboard-bits-nirvanas-nevermind-to-be-re-released-no-more-guest-stars-on-glee Nirvana's 'Nevermind' To Be Re-Released] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717032738/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/470039/billboard-bits-nirvanas-nevermind-to-be-re-released-no-more-guest-stars-on-glee |date=July 17, 2014 }}". Billboard. June 27, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2012. Nirvana's sudden success was credited for popularizing alternative rock and ending the popularity of hair metal.

Citing exhaustion, Nirvana did not undertake another American tour in support of Nevermind, and made only a handful of performances later that year.Azerrad, 1994. p. 256 In March 1992, Cobain sought to reorganize the group's songwriting royalties (which to this point had been split equally) to better represent that he wrote the majority of the music. Grohl and Novoselic did not object, but when Cobain wanted the agreement to be retroactive to the release of Nevermind, the disagreements came close to breaking up the band. After a week of tension, Cobain received a retroactive share of 75 percent of the royalties. Bad feelings about the situation remained within the group afterward.Azerrad, 1994. p. 257–58

Amid rumors that the band was disbanding due to Cobain's health, Nirvana headlined the closing night of the 1992 Reading Festival in England. Cobain programmed the performance lineup.Azerrad, 1994. p. 271 Nirvana's performance at Reading is often regarded as one of the most memorable of their career.[https://www.nme.com/news/nirvana/44151 "Nirvana's Reading Festival gig to be released on DVD"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406213125/http://www.nme.com/news/nirvana/44151 |date=April 6, 2016 }}. NME. April 20, 2009. Retrieved August 23, 2010.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/sevenages/events/alternative-rock/nirvana-headline-reading-festival/ "Nirvana headline Reading Festival"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315203807/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/sevenages/events/alternative-rock/nirvana-headline-reading-festival/ |date=March 15, 2013 }}. BBC Online. Retrieved August 23, 2010. A few days later, Nirvana performed at the MTV Video Music Awards; despite the network's refusal to let the band play the new song "Rape Me", Cobain strummed and sang the first few bars of the song before breaking into "Lithium". The band received awards for the Best Alternative Video and Best New Artist categories.Azerrad, 1994. p. 276–78

DGC had hoped to have a new Nirvana album ready for a late 1992 holiday season; instead, it released the compilation album Incesticide in December 1992.Gaar, Gillian G. "Verse Chorus Verse: The Recording History of Nirvana". Goldmine. February 14, 1997. A joint venture between DGC and Sub Pop, Incesticide collected various rare Nirvana recordings and was intended to provide the material for a better price and higher quality than bootlegs. As Nevermind had been out for 15 months and had yielded a fourth single in "In Bloom" by that point, Geffen/DGC opted not to heavily promote Incesticide, which was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America the following February.Azerrad, 1994. p. 296

File:Patsmear.jpg, for the In Utero tour.]]In February 1993, Nirvana released "Puss" / "Oh, the Guilt", a split single with the Jesus Lizard, on the independent label Touch & Go. For their third album, Nirvana chose producer Steve Albini, who had a reputation as principled and opinionated in the American indie music scene. While some speculated that Nirvana chose Albini for his underground credentials,DeRogatis, 2003. p. 5–6 Cobain said they chose him for his "natural" recording style, without layers of studio trickery.Azerrad, 1994. p. 317 Albini and Nirvana recorded the album in two weeks in Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, that FebruaryGaar, 2006. p. 40 for {{USD|25,000|long=NO}}.DeRogatis, 2003. p. 4

After its completion, stories ran in the Chicago Tribune and Newsweek that quoted sources claiming DGC considered the album "unreleasable".DeRogatis, 2003. p. 17 Fans became concerned that Nirvana's creative vision might be compromised by their label.Azerrad, 1994. p. 332 While the stories about DGC shelving the album were untrue, the band was unhappy with certain aspects of Albini's mixes; they thought the bass levels were too low,Fricke, David. "Kurt Cobain: The Rolling Stone Interview". Rolling Stone. January 27, 1994. and Cobain felt that "Heart-Shaped Box" and "All Apologies" did not sound "perfect".Azerrad, 1994. p. 336–37 The longtime R.E.M. producer Scott Litt was called in to remix the two songs, with Cobain adding more instrumentation and backing vocals.Azerrad, 1994. p. 338

In Utero topped the American and British album charts.{{Cite web|title=Nirvana {{!}} Biography & History|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/nirvana-mn0000357406/biography|access-date=2020-06-19|website=AllMusic|language=en-us|archive-date=July 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714001350/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/nirvana-mn0000357406/biography|url-status=live}} Time critic Christopher John Farley wrote in his review, "Despite the fears of some alternative-music fans, Nirvana hasn't gone mainstream, though this potent new album may once again force the mainstream to go Nirvana."Farley, Christopher John. [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,979260,00.html "To The End Of Grunge"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424063121/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C979260%2C00.html |date=April 24, 2011 }}. Time. September 20, 1993. Retrieved August 23, 2010. In Utero went on to sell more than five million copies in the United States. That October, Nirvana embarked on its first tour of the United States in two years, with support from Half Japanese and the Breeders.{{cite web |url=http://www.caughtinthecrossfire.com/music/jad-fair-the-half-japanese-interview/ |title=FEATURE: Jad Fair: The Half Japanese interview | Features |publisher=Caught in the Crossfire |date=November 28, 2014 |access-date=March 14, 2016 |archive-date=August 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827032125/http://www.caughtinthecrossfire.com/music/jad-fair-the-half-japanese-interview/ |url-status=live }} For the tour, the band added Pat Smear of the punk rock band Germs as the second guitarist.Azerrad, 1994. p. 352

In November, Nirvana recorded a performance for the television program MTV Unplugged. Augmented by Smear and cellist Lori Goldston, they broke convention for the show by choosing not to play their best known songs. Instead, they performed several covers, and invited Cris and Curt Kirkwood of the Meat Puppets to join them for renditions of three Meat Puppets songs.Di Perna, Alan. "Behind Unplugged". Guitar World. March 1995.

In early 1994, Nirvana embarked on a European tour. Their final concert took place in Munich, Germany, on March 1. In Rome, on the morning of March 4, Cobain's wife, Courtney Love, found Cobain unconscious in their hotel room and he was rushed to the hospital. Cobain had reacted to a combination of prescribed rohypnol and alcohol. The rest of the tour was canceled.Sanz, Cynthia. [http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20107679,00.html "Hardly Nirvana"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421015039/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20107679,00.html|date=April 21, 2012}}. People. March 21, 1994. Retrieved October 2, 2010.

{{See also|Suicide of Kurt Cobain}}

File:KurtCobainHouse.jpg

In the weeks following his hospitalization in Rome, Cobain's heroin addiction resurfaced. Following an intervention, he was persuaded to enter drug rehabilitation. After less than a week, Cobain scaled the 6-foot wall and escaped, then returned to Seattle.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-05 |title=A timeline tracing the final days of Nirvana's Kurt Cobain |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/timeline-the-final-days-of-kurt-cobain/ |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=faroutmagazine.co.uk |language=en-US}} On April 6, 1994, it was announced that Nirvana withdrew from their planned appearance at the Lollapalooza 94 tour due to Cobain's ongoing health problems, with reports that they had broken up.{{citation|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-04-06-ca-42770-story.html|title=Nirvana Pulls Out of Tour Plan : Pop music: Amid reports of a breakup, the band withdraws from talks about headlining this summer's 'Lollapalooza '94,' citing singer Kurt Cobain's health problems.|first=Steve|last=Hochman|work=Los Angeles Times|date=April 6, 1994|accessdate=July 17, 2024}} Two days later, on April 8, Cobain was found dead of a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head at his home in the Denny-Blaine neighborhood of the city. He had died approximately three days earlier. Until the discovery of his body, Cobain had been missing since escaping the rehabilitation center.Heard, Chris. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/3568909.stm "Torment of rock hero Cobain"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512025431/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/3568909.stm|date=May 12, 2011}}. BBC News. April 6, 2004. Retrieved August 22, 2010.

Cobain's death drew international attention and became a topic of public fascination and debate.{{Cite news |last=Harvey |first=Dennis |date=June 24, 2015 |title=Film Review: 'Soaked in Bleach' |language=en-US |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/soaked-in-bleach-review-kurt-cobain-courtney-love-1201519277/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628124944/https://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/soaked-in-bleach-review-kurt-cobain-courtney-love-1201519277/ |archive-date=June 28, 2018}} Within hours, stocks ran low of Nirvana records in stores,{{cite magazine |last=Borzillo |first=Carrie |author-link=Carrie Borzillo |date=April 23, 1994 |title=Cobain Mourned By Fans, Industryites In Memorials, Music Stores |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1994/1994-04-23-Billboard-Page-0100.pdf |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |page=102 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213229/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1994/1994-04-23-Billboard-Page-0100.pdf |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |access-date=May 30, 2021}} and Nirvana sales rose dramatically in the United Kingdom.{{cite magazine |date=April 23, 1994 |title=MCA puts hold on Nirvana releases |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Week-IDX/IDX/1994/Music-Week-1994-01-08.o-IDX-627.pdf |url-status=live |magazine=Music Week |page=5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220121021/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Week-IDX/IDX/1994/Music-Week-1994-01-08.o-IDX-627.pdf |archive-date=December 20, 2021 |access-date=December 20, 2021}} Unused tickets for Nirvana concerts sold for inflated prices on the used market. The inflation was triggered by the manager of Brixton Academy, who lied on BBC Radio 1 that fans were purchasing tickets as a "piece of history", in an effort to retain the money he stood to lose from ticket refunds.{{Cite web |last=Parkes |first=Simon |date=27 April 2014 |title=I Bought the Brixton Academy for £1 |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/3bw8xn/i-bought-the-brixton-academy-for-1 |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=Vice |language=en}} A public vigil for Cobain was held on April 10, 1994, at a park at Seattle Center, drawing approximately 7,000 mourners,{{cite book |last=Azerrad |first=Michael |title=Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana |date=1993 |publisher=Knopf Doubleday |isbn=0-385-47199-8 |location=New York City |author-link=Michael Azerrad}}{{rp|346}} followed by a final ceremony on May 31, 1999.{{cite book |last=Cross |first=Charles R. |title=Heavier Than Heaven |date=2001 |publisher=Hyperion Books |isbn=0-7868-6505-9 |location=New York City |author-link=Charles R. Cross}}{{rp|351}}

In 1994, Grohl founded a new band, the Foo Fighters. He and Novoselic decided against Novoselic joining. Grohl said it would have felt "really natural" for them to work together again, but would have been uncomfortable for the other band members and placed more pressure on Grohl.{{cite magazine |last=Mundy |first=Chris |date=October 5, 1995 |title=Invasion of the Foo Fighters |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/invasion-of-the-foo-fighers-19951005 |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220011937/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/invasion-of-the-foo-fighers-19951005 |archive-date=December 20, 2014 |access-date=November 18, 2014}} Excerpt only; subscription required for full article. Novoselic turned his attention to political activism.

Plans for a live Nirvana album, Verse Chorus Verse, were canceled as Novoselic and Grohl found assembling the material so soon after Cobain's death emotionally overwhelming.Ali, Lorraine. "One Last Blast". Rolling Stone. October 17, 1996. Instead, in November 1994, DGC released the MTV Unplugged performance as MTV Unplugged in New York. It debuted at number one on the Billboard charts and earned Nirvana a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album at the 1996 Grammys. It was followed by Nirvana's first full-length VHS live video, Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!.Pareles, Jon. [https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/29/arts/rookies-win-big-in-the-38th-grammy-awards.html "Rookies' Win Big in the 38th Grammy Awards"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701024949/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/29/arts/rookies-win-big-in-the-38th-grammy-awards.html |date=July 1, 2017 }}. The New York Times. February 29, 1996. Retrieved December 3, 2010. In 1996, the live album From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah became the third consecutive Nirvana release to debut at the top of the Billboard album chart.

In 1997, Novoselic, Grohl and Love formed the limited liability company Nirvana LLC to oversee Nirvana projects.DeRogatis, 2003. p. 32–3 A 45-track box set of Nirvana rarities was scheduled for release in October 2001.Heath, Chris. "The Nirvana Wars: Who Owns Kurt Cobain?". Rolling Stone. June 6, 2002. However, shortly before the release date, Love filed a suit to dissolve Nirvana LLC, and an injunction was issued preventing the release of any new Nirvana material until the case was resolved.DeRogatis, 2003. p. 33–4 Love contended that Cobain was Nirvana, that Grohl and Novoselic were sidemen, and that she had signed the partnership agreement originally under bad advice. Grohl and Novoselic countersued, asking the court to remove Love from the partnership and to replace her with another representative of Cobain's estate.

The day before the case was set to go to trial in October 2002, Love, Novoselic, and Grohl announced that they had reached a settlement. The next month, the best-of compilation Nirvana was released, featuring the previously unreleased track "You Know You're Right", the last song Nirvana recorded.Stout, Gene. [http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/Courtney-Love-former-members-of-Nirvana-settle-1097350.php "Courtney Love, former members of Nirvana settle suit"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006110422/http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/Courtney-Love-former-members-of-Nirvana-settle-1097350.php |date=October 6, 2014 }}. September 30, 2002. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved July 19, 2011. It debuted at number three on the Billboard album chart.Susman, Gary. [https://ew.com/article/2002/11/07/eminems-8-mile-soundtrack-debuts-no-1/ "'Mile' Marker"] . Entertainment Weekly. November 7, 2002. Retrieved November 14, 2010. The box set, With the Lights Out, was released in November 2004. The release contained early Cobain demos, rough rehearsal recordings, and live tracks. An album of selected tracks from the box set, Sliver: The Best of the Box, was released in late 2005.[https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61350/track-list-set-for-nirvana-compilation "Track List Set For Nirvana Compilation"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526180801/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61350/track-list-set-for-nirvana-compilation |date=May 26, 2020 }}. Billboard. September 20, 2005. Retrieved November 14, 2010.

File:Krist Novoselic.jpg in 2011]]

In April 2006, Love sold 25 percent of her stake in the Nirvana song catalog to Primary Wave for an estimated {{USD|50 million|long=No}}. She sought to assure Nirvana's fanbase that the music would not simply be licensed to the highest bidder: "We are going to remain very tasteful and true to the spirit of Nirvana while taking the music to places it has never been before."Vineyard, Jennifer. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1528625/20060413/love_courtney.jhtml?headlines=true "Courtney Love Sells Substantial Share Of Nirvana Publishing Rights"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625000051/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1528625/courtney-sells-portion-nirvana-rights.jhtml|date=June 25, 2012}}. MTVNews.com. April 13, 2006. Retrieved September 5, 2007.

Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!, was re-released on DVD in 2006,Cohen, Jonathan. [https://web.archive.org/web/20071021071419/http://billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003190379 "Nirvana Concert Film Making DVD Debut"]. Billboard. October 3, 2006. Archived from [https://web.archive.org/web/20061005120631/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003190379 the original] on October 21, 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2010. followed by the full version of MTV Unplugged in New York on DVD in 2007.Cohen, Jonathan. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080430090430/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1048591/nirvanas-unplugged-finally-heading-to-dvd "Nirvana's 'Unplugged' Finally Heading To DVD"]. Billboard. October 4, 2007. Archived from [https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1048591/nirvanas-unplugged-finally-heading-to-dvd the original] on April 30, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2010. In November 2009, Nirvana's performance at the 1992 Reading Festival was released on CD and DVD as Live at Reading,{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=https://www.nme.com/news/nirvana/47122 |title=Nirvana 'Live At Reading Festival' DVD finally set for official release |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810031609/http://www.nme.com/news/nirvana/47122 |archive-date=August 10, 2016 |website=NME |date=September 3, 2009 |access-date=August 24, 2010 |first1=Adam |last1=Bychawski }} alongside a deluxe 20th-anniversary edition of Bleach.{{cite web |url-status=dead |last1=Breihan |first1=Tom |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/36229-sub-pop-to-reissue-nirvanas-ibleachi/ |title=Sub Pop to Reissue Nirvana's Bleach |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090816083113/http://pitchfork.com/news/36229-sub-pop-to-reissue-nirvanas-ibleachi/ |archive-date=August 16, 2009 |website=Pitchfork |date=August 14, 2009 |access-date=November 27, 2010}} DGC released a number of 20th-anniversary deluxe packages of Nevermind in September 2011, which included the Live at the Paramount show,{{cite web |url-status=live |url=http://www.upvenue.com/article/1432-details-of-nirvana-s-nevermind-reissue.html |title=Details of Nirvana's Nevermind Reissue |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505134057/https://upvenue.com/article/1432-details-of-nirvana-s-nevermind-reissue.html |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |website=UpVenue |access-date=May 19, 2013 |first1=Darlene |last1=Nikki }} and of In Utero in September 2013, which included the Live and Loud show.{{cite magazine|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|title=Inside Nirvana's Rarities-Packed 'In Utero' Reissue: Demos, Live Cuts, and a Found Track |magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 13, 2013|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/inside-nirvanas-rarities-packed-in-utero-reissue-20130813|access-date=August 23, 2013|archive-date=August 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826043152/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/inside-nirvanas-rarities-packed-in-utero-reissue-20130813|url-status=live}}

In 2012, Grohl, Novoselic, and Smear joined Paul McCartney at 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief.[https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/dec/12/paul-mccartney-kurt-cobain-nirvana "Paul McCartney to replace Kurt Cobain in Nirvana reunion"]. The Guardian. December 12, 2012. Retrieved on December 12, 2012. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916150610/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/dec/12/paul-mccartney-kurt-cobain-nirvana |date=September 16, 2016 }}. The performance featured the premiere of a new song written by the four, "Cut Me Some Slack". A studio recording was released on the soundtrack to Sound City, a documentary film by Grohl.[http://consequenceofsound.net/2012/12/nirvana-reunite-with-paul-mccartney-record-new-song-cut-me-some-slack/ "Nirvana Reunites with Paul McCartney, Record New Song "Cut Me Some Slack""]. Consequence of Sound. December 12, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2012. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909065907/http://consequenceofsound.net/2012/12/nirvana-reunite-with-paul-mccartney-record-new-song-cut-me-some-slack/ |date=September 9, 2013 }}.{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen|title=Sound City: Real to Reel – Original Soundtrack|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/sound-city-real-to-reel-mw0002480578|work=AllMusic|publisher=Rovi Corporation|access-date=March 26, 2013|archive-date=October 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016104317/http://www.allmusic.com/album/sound-city-real-to-reel-mw0002480578|url-status=live}} On July 19, 2013, the group played with McCartney again during the encore of his Safeco Field "Out There" concert in Seattle, the first time Nirvana members had performed together in their hometown in over 15 years.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/paul-mccartney-playing-with-nirvanas-surviving-members-was-powerful-20130722|title=Paul McCartney on Playing With Nirvana's Surviving Members|last=Vozick-Levinson|first=Simon|date=July 22, 2013|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=January 27, 2014|archive-date=February 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228014112/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/paul-mccartney-playing-with-nirvanas-surviving-members-was-powerful-20130722|url-status=live}}[http://www.seattlepi.com/local/slideshow/Paul-McCartney-at-Safeco-Field-66721.php/ "Paul McCartney at Safeco Field"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720181317/http://www.seattlepi.com/local/slideshow/Paul-McCartney-at-Safeco-Field-66721.php |date=July 20, 2013}}. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. July 20, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.

In 2014, Cobain, Novoselic, and Grohl were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. At the induction ceremony, Novoselic, Grohl and Smear performed a four-song set with guest vocalists Joan Jett, Kim Gordon, St. Vincent and Lorde.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/nirvana/76724|title=NME News Krist Novoselic says female-fronted Nirvana shows 'conjured spirit of the band'|publisher=Nme.com|date=April 14, 2014|access-date=April 23, 2015|archive-date=October 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026063822/http://www.nme.com/news/nirvana/76724|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/KristNovoselic/status/454485425697341440|title=Krist Novoselić on Twitter: "Thank you @joanjett @lordemusic @KimletGordon @st_vincent for joining @nirvana tonight".|publisher=Twitter.com|date=April 10, 2014|access-date=April 23, 2015|archive-date=October 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002063435/https://twitter.com/KristNovoselic/status/454485425697341440|url-status=live}} Novoselic, Grohl and Smear then performed a full show at Brooklyn's St. Vitus Bar with Jett, Gordon, St. Vincent, J Mascis and John McCauley as guest vocalists.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-inside-story-of-nirvanas-one-night-only-reunion-20140416#ixzz2z5N8SUja|title=The Inside Story of Nirvana's One-Night-Only Reunion at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=April 16, 2014|access-date=October 26, 2014|archive-date=November 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101171246/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-inside-story-of-nirvanas-one-night-only-reunion-20140416#ixzz2z5N8SUja|url-status=live}} Grohl thanked Burckhard, Crover, Peters and Channing for their time in Nirvana. Everman also attended.{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/12/he-left-nirvana-because-he-had-cooler-things-to-do-like-going-to-iraq.html|title=He Left Nirvana Because He Had Cooler Things to Do. Like Going to Iraq.|first=Jacob|last=Siegel|newspaper=The Daily Beast|date=April 12, 2014|access-date=May 5, 2016|archive-date=May 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504080720/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/12/he-left-nirvana-because-he-had-cooler-things-to-do-like-going-to-iraq.html|url-status=live}}

At Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy party in 2016, Novoselic and Grohl reunited to perform the David Bowie song "The Man Who Sold the World", which Nirvana had covered in their MTV Unplugged performance. Beck accompanied them on acoustic guitar and vocals.{{cite web |url=https://www.relix.com/blogs/detail/beck_fronts_the_surviving_members_of_nirvana_on_the_man_who_sold_the_world |title=Beck Fronts the Surviving Members of Nirvana on "The Man Who Sold the World" : Blogs |website=Relix.com |date=February 16, 2016 |access-date=March 14, 2016 |archive-date=March 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322133535/http://www.relix.com/blogs/detail/beck_fronts_the_surviving_members_of_nirvana_on_the_man_who_sold_the_world |url-status=live}} In October 2018, Novoselic and Grohl reunited during the finale of the Cal Jam festival at Glen Helen Amphitheater in San Bernardino County, California, joined by Jett and John McCauley on vocals.{{cite magazine |last1=Kreps |first1=Daniel |title=Watch Foo Fighters Stage Nirvana Reunion With Joan Jett, Deer Tick's John McCauley at Cal Jam |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/foo-fighters-nirvana-reunion-joan-jett-cal-jam-733961 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=February 16, 2019 |date=October 7, 2018 |archive-date=January 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127132332/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/foo-fighters-nirvana-reunion-joan-jett-cal-jam-733961/ |url-status=live}} In January 2020, Novoselic and Grohl reunited for a performance at a benefit for the Art of Elysium at the Hollywood Palladium, joined by Beck, St Vincent, and Grohl's daughter Violet.{{cite web |date=January 2, 2020 |title=Surviving Nirvana members to reunite for benefit concert |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/01/dave-grohl-nirvana-reunion-heaven/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304161137/https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/01/dave-grohl-nirvana-reunion-heaven/ |archive-date=March 4, 2020 |access-date=January 5, 2020 |website=Consequence of Sound}}

For the 30th anniversary of Nevermind, in September 2021, the BBC broadcast the documentary When Nirvana Came to Britain, featuring interviews with Grohl and Novoselic. That month, a 30th-anniversary edition of Nevermind was announced, containing 70 previously unreleased live tracks from four concerts and a Blu-ray of Live in Amsterdam.{{cite magazine|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=2021-09-23|title=Nirvana Pack 'Nevermind' 30th-Anniversary Reissue With 4 Unreleased Concerts|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/nirvana-nevermind-30th-anniversary-reissue-1231124/|access-date=2021-09-23|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}} For the 30th anniversary of In Utero, DGC reissued it in several formats on October 27, 2023, which included the full 1993 show at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles and the 1994 show at the Seattle Centre Arena.{{cite news |last=Deaux |first=John |date=September 5, 2023 |url=https://allabouttherock.co.uk/nirvana-in-utero-30th-anniversary-multi-format-reissues-arrive-october-27-2023/ |title=Nirvana In Utero: 30th anniversary multi-format reissues arrive October 27, 2023 |work=allabouttherock.co.uk |access-date=February 17, 2024}}

On January 30, 2025, Novoselic, Grohl and Smear reunited for the first time in five years to perform at the Fire Aid benefit concert in Los Angeles. They were joined by St. Vincent for "Breed", Kim Gordon for "School", Joan Jett for "Territorial Pissings", and Violet Grohl for "All Apologies".{{Cite web|last=Aswad|first=Jem|url=https://variety.com/2025/music/news/nirvana-reunion-fireaid-st-vincent-kim-gordon-joan-jett-violet-grohl-1236292208/|title=Three-Fourths of Nirvana Reunite for Bruising FireAid Set With St. Vincent, Kim Gordon, Joan Jett and Violet Grohl|publisher=Variety|date=January 30, 2025|access-date=January 31, 2025}} For the 50th anniversary celebrations for Saturday Night Live on February 14, Novoselic, Grohl and Smear reunited to perform "Smells Like Teen Spirit" with Post Malone.{{Cite web|last=Kaufman|first=Spencer|url=https://consequence.net/2025/02/post-malone-nirvana-reunion-snl/|title=Post Malone Fronts Nirvana Reunion at SNL 50th Anniversary Concert: Watch|publisher=Consequence.net|date=February 14, 2025|access-date=February 15, 2025}}{{Cite web|last=Molley|first=Laura|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-nirvana-reunite-with-post-malone-on-vocals-at-snl50-gig-3838279|title=Watch Nirvana reunite with Post Malone on vocals at 'SNL50' gig|publisher=NME|date=February 15, 2025|access-date=February 15, 2025}}

Nirvana's musical style has been mainly described as grunge,{{cite magazine |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2014/08/the-50-best-grunge-songs.html |title=The 50 Best Grunge Songs |magazine=Paste |date=August 4, 2014 |access-date=May 8, 2021 |archive-date=May 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506055804/http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2014/08/the-50-best-grunge-songs.html |url-status=dead}}{{cite book |title=Grunge: Music and Memory |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qUhokID7qXIC |first=Catherine |last=Strong |publisher=Ashgate Publishing |location=Farnham, UK | year=2011 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=qUhokID7qXIC&pg=PA73&dq=%22Bands+labelled+as+'grunge'+by+respondents%22 73] |isbn=978-1-4094-2377-5}}{{cite web |last=Schaffner |first=Lauren |title=12 Bands Who Are Considered Pioneers of Grunge |url=https://loudwire.com/bands-pioneered-grunge/ |website=Loudwire |access-date=December 13, 2021 |date=August 20, 2021 |quote=Nirvana are generally the predominant band associated with grunge...}}{{cite web |last=Stegall |first=Tim |title=10 Legendary Bands Who Built the Foundation of the Grunge Genre |url=https://www.altpress.com/features/bands-who-popularized-grunge/ |website=Alternative Press |access-date=December 13, 2021 |date=May 27, 2021}} alternative rock,[https://www.allmusic.com/explore/style/alternativeindie-rock-d4464 "Alternative Rock"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430215655/https://www.allmusic.com/explore/style/alternativeindie-rock-d4464 |date=April 30, 2012}}. AllMusic. Retrieved August 2, 2011.{{cite web |first=AJ |last=Ramirez |title=The 10 Best Nirvana Songs Ever|url=https://www.popmatters.com/nirvana-best-songs-2496020592.html|website=PopMatters|access-date=May 8, 2021|date=June 9, 2011}}{{Cite web |last=Coffman |first=Tim |date=2022-01-12 |title=14 artists influenced by Nirvana, from Kid Cudi to the Pretty Reckless |url=https://www.altpress.com/bands-influenced-by-nirvana/ |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=Alternative Press Magazine |quote=Nirvana are a good choice for what perfect alt-rock looks like}} and punk rock.{{cite web |last=Steinke |first=Darcey |title=Smashing Their Heads on the Punk Rock |url=https://www.spin.com/2013/09/nirvana-cover-story-1993-smashing-their-heads-on-the-punk-rock/ |website=Spin |access-date=July 20, 2021 |date=October 1993}}{{cite web |last=Himes |first=Geoffrey |date=February 20, 2018 |title=The Curmudgeon: Why Hüsker Dü—Not Nirvana—Were the Real Kings of Punk's Second Wave |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/h-sker-d-/the-curmudgeon-why-husker-du-not-nirvana-were-the/ |access-date=August 28, 2022 |website=Paste |archive-date=November 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103115124/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/h-sker-d-/the-curmudgeon-why-husker-du-not-nirvana-were-the/ |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last=McGee |first=Alan |author-link=Alan McGee |title=Nirvana: punk's last hurrah |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2006/nov/30/post9 |website=The Guardian |date=November 30, 2006 |access-date=August 28, 2022}} They have also been labeled as hard rock. Characterized by their punk aesthetic, Nirvana often fused pop melodies with noise. Billboard described their work as a "genius blend of Kurt Cobain's raspy voice and gnashing guitars, Dave Grohl's relentless drumming and Krist Novoselic's uniting bass-work that connected with fans in a hail of alternately melodic and hard-charging songs".{{Cite magazine|date=2014-04-04|title=Nirvana's 10 Biggest Billboard Hits|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/6039428/nirvanas-10-biggest-billboard-hits|access-date=2020-06-21|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=June 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611192528/https://www.billboard.com/articles/list/6039428/nirvanas-10-biggest-billboard-hits|url-status=live}}

Cobain described Nirvana's initial sound as "a Gang of Four and Scratch Acid ripoff".Azerrad, 1994. p. 294 When Nirvana recorded Bleach, Cobain felt he had to fit the expectations of the Sub Pop grunge sound to build a fanbase, and suppressed his arty and pop songwriting in favor of a more rock sound.Azerrad, 1994. p. 102 Nirvana biographer Michael Azerrad argued, "Ironically, it was the restrictions of the Sub Pop sound that helped the band find its musical identity." Azerrad stated that by acknowledging that they had grown up listening to Black Sabbath and Aerosmith, they had been able to move on from their derivative early sound.Azerrad, 1994. p. 103

Nirvana used dynamic shifts that went from quiet to loud. Cobain sought to mix heavy and pop musical sounds, saying, "I wanted to be totally Led Zeppelin in a way and then be totally extreme punk rock and then do real wimpy pop songs." When Cobain heard the Pixies' 1988 album, Surfer Rosa, after recording Bleach, he felt it had the sound he wanted to achieve but had been too intimidated to try. The Pixies' subsequent popularity encouraged Cobain to follow his instincts as a songwriter.Azerrad, 1994. p. 103–4 Like the Pixies, Nirvana moved between "spare bass-and-drum grooves and shrill bursts of screaming guitar and vocals".Kanter, L.A. "Kurt Cobain's Well-Tempered Tantrums". Guitar Player. February 1992. Near the end of his life, Cobain said the band had become bored of the "limited" formula, but expressed doubt that they were skilled enough to try other dynamics.

File:Kurt Cobain Smashed Guitar MOPOP.jpg]]

Cobain's rhythm guitar style, which relied on power chords, low-note riffs, and a loose left-handed technique, featured the key components to the band's songs. Cobain would often initially play a song's verse riff in a clean tone, then double it with distorted guitars when he repeated the part. In some verses, the guitar would be absent to allow the drums and bass guitar to support the vocals, or it would only play sparse melodies like the two-note pattern used in "Smells Like Teen Spirit". Cobain rarely played standard guitar solos, opting to play variations of the song's melody as single-note lines. Cobain's solos were mostly blues-based and discordant, which music writer Jon Chappell described as "almost an iconoclastic parody of the traditional instrumental break", a quality typified by the note-for-note replication of the lead melody in "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and the atonal solo for "Breed".Chappell, Jon. "Nirvana's music". Guitar. June 1993. The band had no formal musical training; Cobain said: "I have no concept of knowing how to be a musician at all whatsoever... I couldn't even pass Guitar 101."{{cite AV media |date=11 December 2013 |title=Kurt Cobain - Nirvana Rare Full Interview Seattle, 1993 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rhotCKLwcQ&t=1m57s |location=Seattle |time=1m 57s |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423211808/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rhotCKLwcQ&t=1m57s |archive-date=23 April 2021 |access-date=13 May 2014}}

Grohl's drumming "took Nirvana's sound to a new level of intensity".di Perna, Alan. "Nevermore". Guitar World. March 1999. Azerrad stated that Grohl's "powerful drumming propelled the band to a whole new plane, visually as well as musically", noting, "Although Dave is a merciless basher, his parts are also distinctly musical—it wouldn't be difficult to figure out what song he was playing even without the rest of the music".Azerrad, 1994. p. 231–32

Until early 1992, the band had performed live in concert pitch. They began tuning down either a half step or full step as well as concert pitch. Sometimes all three tunings would be in the same show. By the summer of that year, the band had settled on the half step down tuning (E♭).Cross, Charles R. "Requiem for a Dream". Guitar World. October 2001. Cobain said, "We play so hard we can't tune our guitars fast enough".Gilbert, Jeff. "Cheap Tricks". Guitar World. February 1992. The band made a habit of destroying its equipment after shows. Novoselic said he and Cobain created the "shtick" in order to get off the stage sooner.Classic Albums—Nirvana: Nevermind [DVD]. Isis Productions, 2004. Cobain stated it began as an expression of his frustration with previous drummer Channing making mistakes and dropping out entirely during performances.Azerrad, 1994. p. 140

Everett True said in 1989, "Nirvana songs treat the banal and pedestrian with a unique slant".True, Everett. "Seattle: Rock City". Melody Maker. March 18, 1989. Cobain came up with the basic components of each song, usually writing them on an acoustic guitar, as well as the singing style and the lyrics. He emphasized that Novoselic and Grohl had a large part in deciding the lengths and parts of songs, and that he did not like to be considered the sole songwriter.di Perna, Alan. "The Making of Nevermind". Guitar World. Fall 1996.

Cobain usually wrote lyrics for songs minutes before recording them. Cobain said, "When I write a song the lyrics are the least important subject. I can go through two or three different subjects in a song and the title can mean absolutely nothing at all".Robb, John. "White Heat". Sounds. October 21, 1989. Cobain told Spin in 1993 that he "didn't give a flying f–k{{sic}}" what the lyrics on Bleach were about, figuring "Let's just scream negative lyrics, and as long as they're not sexist and don't get too embarrassing it'll be okay", while the lyrics to Nevermind were taken from two years of poetry he had accumulated, which he cut up and chose lines he preferred from. In comparison, Cobain stated that the lyrics to In Utero were "more focused, they're almost built on themes". Cobain did not write in a linear fashion, instead relying on juxtapositions of contradictory images to convey emotions and ideas. Often in his lyrics, Cobain would present an idea then reject it; he said, "I'm such a nihilistic jerk half the time and other times I'm so vulnerable and sincere [.. The songs are] like a mixture of both of them. That's how most people my age are."Azerrad, 1994. p. 210–11

{{See also|Alternative rock#Popularization in the 1990s|label 1=Alternative rock: Popularization in the 1990s}}

File:EMP Museum - Nirvana (15632245508).jpg in Seattle, Washington|alt=]]

Combined with their themes of abjection and alienation, Nirvana became hugely popular during their short tenure{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DbucAAAAQBAJ&q=nirvana&pg=PA339|title=The 100 Most Influential Musicians of All Time|date=2009|publisher=Britannica Educational Publishing|location=Chicago, Illinois|isbn=978-1-61530-056-3|language=en|access-date=November 18, 2020|archive-date=May 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505133945/https://books.google.com/books?id=DbucAAAAQBAJ&q=nirvana&pg=PA339|url-status=live}} and are credited with bringing alternative rock to the mainstream.Olsen, Eric. [https://web.archive.org/web/20101208021650/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/4652653 "10 years later, Cobain lives on in his music"]. MSNBC.com. Retrieved October 19, 2010. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic wrote that prior to Nirvana, "alternative music was consigned to specialty sections of record stores, and major labels considered it to be, at the very most, a tax write-off". Following the release of Nevermind, "nothing was ever quite the same, for better and for worse".Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. [https://www.allmusic.com/artist/nirvana-mn0000357406/biography "Nirvana Artist Biography"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714001350/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/nirvana-mn0000357406/biography |date=July 14, 2017 }}. AllMusic. Retrieved October 21, 2013. While other alternative bands had achieved hits, Nirvana "broke down the doors forever", according to Erlewine; the breakthrough "didn't eliminate the underground", but rather "just gave it more exposure".{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |title=American Alternative Rock/Post-Punk |url=http://allmusic.com/explore/essay/american-alternative-rock--post-punk-t578 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025110738/http://allmusic.com/explore/essay/american-alternative-rock--post-punk-t578 |archive-date=2010-10-25 |accessdate=January 18, 2011 |website=AllMusic}} Erlewine also wrote that Nirvana "popularized so-called 'Generation X' and 'slacker' culture". Following Cobain's death, numerous headlines referred to Nirvana's frontman as "the voice of a generation", although he had rejected such labeling during his lifetime.{{cite news|first=Frank|last=Rich|authorlink=Frank Rich|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/14/opinion/journal-far-from-nirvana.html|title=Journal – Far From Nirvana|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 14, 1994|accessdate=January 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320152025/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/14/opinion/journal-far-from-nirvana.html |archive-date=March 20, 2012 }}

In 1992, Jon Pareles of The New York Times reported that Nirvana had made other alternative acts impatient for similar success: "Suddenly, all bets are off. No one has the inside track on which of dozens, perhaps hundreds, of ornery, obstreperous, unkempt bands might next appeal to the mall-walking millions." Record company executives offered large advances and record deals to bands, and previous strategies of building audiences for alternative rock groups were replaced by the opportunity to achieve mainstream popularity quickly.{{cite news|first=Jon|last=Pareles|authorlink=Jon Pareles|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE3D71531F937A25755C0A964958260|title=Pop View; Nirvana-bes Awaiting Fame's Call|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 14, 1992|accessdate=January 17, 2011}}

Michael Azerrad argued in his Nirvana biography Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana (1993) that Nevermind marked an epochal generational shift in music similar to the rock-and-roll explosion in the 1950s and the end of the baby boomer generation's dominance of the musical landscape. Azerrad wrote, "Nevermind came along at exactly the right time. This was music by, for, and about a whole new group of young people who had been overlooked, ignored, or condescended to."Azerrad, 1994, p. 225 Fugazi frontman Guy Picciotto said "It was like our record could have been a hobo pissing in the forest for the amount of impact it had ... It felt like we were playing ukuleles all of a sudden because of the disparity of the impact of what they did."Azerrad, 2001. p. 493

Nirvana are one of the best-selling bands of all time, having sold more than 75 million records.[https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/nirvana-catalogue-to-be-released-on-vinyl-1.799665 "Nirvana catalogue to be released on vinyl"] . CBC.ca. March 21, 2009. Retrieved March 7, 2012. With 32 million RIAA-certified units, they are also one of the bestselling music artists in the United States.{{cite web|url=http://riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php?content_selector=top-selling-artists|title=Top-Selling Artists|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)|access-date=January 3, 2025}} They have achieved 10 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, including five number-ones. Two of their studio albums and two of their live albums have reached the top spot on the Billboard 200.[https://www.allmusic.com/artist/nirvana-mn0000357406/awards "Nirvana Awards"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229232159/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/nirvana-mn0000357406/awards |date=December 29, 2017 }}. AllMusic. Retrieved October 21, 2013. Nirvana have been awarded one diamond, three multiplatinum, seven platinum and two gold-certified albums in the United States by the RIAA,[https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=nirvana#search_section "Gold & Platinum database search: 'Nirvana'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418011347/http://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=Nirvana#search_section |date=April 18, 2016 }}. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 1, 2017. and four multiplatinum, four platinum, two gold and one silver-certified albums in the UK by the BPI.[http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx "Certified Awards"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124005813/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx|date=January 24, 2013}}. British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 23, 2013. Note: In the "Search by parameters" section, user needs to (1) enter "Nirvana" in the "Keywords" field and (2) tick the "Exact match" box then (3) click the "Search" button. Nevermind, their most successful album, has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums ever.Maloy, Sarah. [https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1176953/nirvanas-nevermind-20th-anniversary-editions-include-unreleased-recordings "Nirvana's 'Nevermind' 20th Anniversary Editions Include Unreleased Recordings, Alternate Mixes, More"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516204208/https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1176953/nirvanas-nevermind-20th-anniversary-editions-include-unreleased-recordings |date=May 16, 2019 }}. Billboard. July 26, 2011. Retrieved October 23, 2013. Their most successful song, "Smells Like Teen Spirit", is among the bestselling singles of all time, having been certified diamond with sales of 10 million copies.

{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Nirvana}}

Since their breakup, Nirvana have continued to receive acclaim. In 2003, they were selected as one of the inductees of the Mojo Hall of Fame 100.{{Cite journal|title=The Mojo Hall of Fame 100|journal=Mojo Magazine|date=November 2003|issue=120 – 10th Anniversary Issue|issn=1351-0193}} The band also received a nomination in 2004 from the UK Music Hall of Fame for the title of "Greatest Artist of the 1990s".[http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4000000/newsid_4005500/4005555.stm "First stars in music Hall of Fame"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023064408/http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4000000/newsid_4005500/4005555.stm |date=October 23, 2013 }}. BBC. November 12, 2004. Retrieved October 22, 2013. Rolling Stone placed Nirvana at number 27 on their list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" in 2004,[http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2004/immortals.htm "Rolling Stone: The Immortals: 100 Greatest Artists of All-Time"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314045411/http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2004/immortals.htm |date=March 14, 2013 }}. Rock On The Net. 2004. Retrieved October 3, 2013. and at number 30 on their updated list in 2011.Pop, Iggy. [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-artists-of-all-time-19691231/nirvana-20110926 "100 Greatest Artists: Nirvana"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131221238/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-artists-of-all-time-19691231/nirvana-20110926 |date=January 31, 2016 }}. Rolling Stone. 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2013. In 2003, the magazine's senior editor David Fricke picked Kurt Cobain as the 12th best guitarist of all time.[https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time-19691231/kurt-cobain-20101202 "100 Greatest Guitarists: David Fricke's Picks: Kurt Cobain"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919190341/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time-19691231/kurt-cobain-20101202 |date=September 19, 2017 }}. Rolling Stone. 2003. Retrieved October 21, 2013. Rolling Stone later ranked Cobain as the 45th greatest singer in 2008[https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-singers-of-all-time-19691231/kurt-cobain-20101202 "100 Greatest Singers: Kurt Cobain"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926170533/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-singers-of-all-time-19691231/kurt-cobain-20101202 |date=September 26, 2017 }}. Rolling Stone. November 27, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2013. and 73rd greatest guitarist of all time in 2011.[https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-20111123/kurt-cobain-20111122 "100 Greatest Guitarists: Kurt Cobain"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831182309/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-20111123/kurt-cobain-20111122 |date=August 31, 2017 }}. Rolling Stone. November 24, 2011. Retrieved October 4, 2013. VH1 ranked Nirvana as the 42nd greatest artists of rock and roll in 1998,[http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1998/vh1artists.htm "VH1: 100 Greatest Artists of Rock & Roll"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119191122/http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1998/vh1artists.htm |date=November 19, 2019 }}. Rock On The Net. 1998. Retrieved October 3, 2013. the 7th greatest hard rock artists in 2000,[http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2000/vh1hardrock.htm "VH1: '100 Greatest Hard Rock Artists': 1–50"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715035000/http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2000/vh1hardrock.htm |date=July 15, 2013 }}. Rock On The Net. 2000. Retrieved October 7, 2013. and the 14th greatest artists of all time in 2010.[https://www.stereogum.com/495331/vh1-100-greatest-artists-of-all-time/ "VH1 100 Greatest Artists Of All Time"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126044601/https://www.stereogum.com/495331/vh1-100-greatest-artists-of-all-time/ |date=November 26, 2020 }}. Stereogum. September 3, 2010. Retrieved October 3, 2013.

Nirvana's contributions to music have also received recognition. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has inducted two of Nirvana's recordings, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "All Apologies", into its list of "The Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll".{{cite web|title=The Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll|publisher=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame|url=http://rockhall.com/exhibits/one-hit-wonders-songs-that-shaped-rock-and-roll/|access-date=October 7, 2013|archive-date=June 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628094517/http://rockhall.com/exhibits/one-hit-wonders-songs-that-shaped-rock-and-roll/|url-status=live}} The museum also ranked Nevermind number 10 on its "The Definitive 200 Albums of All Time" list in 2007.{{cite web|date=2007|title=Definitive 200 Albums|publisher=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame|url=http://www.rockhall.com/pressroom/definitive-200|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070410040752/http://www.rockhall.com/pressroom/definitive-200|archive-date= April 10, 2007|access-date=October 23, 2013}} In 2005, the Library of Congress added Nevermind to the National Recording Registry, which collects "culturally, historically or aesthetically important" sound recordings from the 20th century.{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattlepi.com/ae/music/article/Registry-recognizes-Nirvana-s-unique-role-1181885.php|title=Registry recognizes Nirvana's unique role|website=Seattle PI|date=September 2005|access-date=November 19, 2018|archive-date=November 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119051756/https://www.seattlepi.com/ae/music/article/Registry-recognizes-Nirvana-s-unique-role-1181885.php|url-status=live}} In 2011, four of Nirvana's songs appeared on Rolling Stone{{'}}s updated list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time", with "Smells Like Teen Spirit" ranking the highest at number 9. Three of the band's albums were ranked on the magazine's 2012 list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time", with Nevermind placing the highest at number 17. The same three Nirvana albums were also placed on Rolling Stone{{'s}} 2011 list of "The 100 Best Albums of the Nineties", with Nevermind ranking the highest at number 1, making it the greatest album of the decade. Time included Nevermind on its list of "The All-TIME 100 Albums" in 2006, labeling it "the finest album of the 1990s".{{cite magazine|author=Tyrangiel, Josh|date=November 13, 2006|title=All-TIME 100 Albums: Nevermind|magazine=Time|url=https://entertainment.time.com/2006/11/02/the-all-time-100-albums/slide/nevermind/|access-date=October 21, 2013|archive-date=July 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721033936/http://entertainment.time.com/2006/11/02/the-all-time-100-albums/slide/nevermind/|url-status=live}} In 2011, the magazine also added "Smells Like Teen Spirit" on its list of "The All-TIME 100 Songs",{{cite magazine|author=Suddath, Claire|date=October 21, 2011|title=All-TIME 100 Songs: 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'|magazine=Time|url=https://entertainment.time.com/2011/10/24/the-all-time-100-songs/slide/smells-like-teen-spirit-nirvana/|access-date=October 21, 2013|archive-date=October 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007000648/http://entertainment.time.com/2011/10/24/the-all-time-100-songs/slide/smells-like-teen-spirit-nirvana/|url-status=live}} and "Heart-Shaped Box" on its list of "The 30 All-TIME Best Music Videos".{{cite magazine |author=ldetmer1271 |date=July 26, 2011 |title=The 30 All-TIME Best Music Videos - Nirvana, 'Heart-Shaped Box' (1993) |magazine=Time |url=https://entertainment.time.com/2011/07/28/the-30-all-time-best-music-videos/slide/nirvana-heart-shaped-box-1993/ |access-date=October 19, 2024 |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023000526/http://entertainment.time.com/2011/07/28/the-30-all-time-best-music-videos/slide/nirvana-heart-shaped-box-1993/ |url-status=live}} Pitchfork ranked Nevermind and In Utero as the sixth and thirteenth greatest albums of the 1990s, describing the band as "the greatest and most legendary band of the 1990s."{{Cite web|title=Top 100 Albums of the 1990s – Page 10|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/5923-top-100-albums-of-the-1990s/?page=10|access-date=2020-12-11|website=Pitchfork| date=November 17, 2003 |language=en|archive-date=February 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224191020/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/5923-top-100-albums-of-the-1990s/?page=10|url-status=live}}

Nirvana was announced in their first year of eligibility as being part of the 2014 class of inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on December 17, 2013. The induction ceremony was held April 10, 2014, in Brooklyn, New York, at the Barclays Center.{{cite web|url=http://rockhall.com/inductees/|title=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Inductees|publisher=Rockhall.com|date=April 15, 2013|access-date=March 12, 2014|archive-date=September 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918095259/https://www.rockhall.com/inductees|url-status=live}} As the accolade was only applied to Cobain, Novoselic and Grohl, former drummer Chad Channing was not included in the induction and was informed of his omission by text message.{{cite web|title=Nirvana drummer dumped from Hall Of Fame via brutal SMS|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/38786/Nirvana-drummer-dumped-from-Hall-Of-Fame-via-brutal-SMS|work=Faster Louder|publisher=Faster Louder Pty Ltd|access-date=March 22, 2014|first=Darren|last=Levin|date=March 18, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322132945/http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/38786/Nirvana-drummer-dumped-from-Hall-Of-Fame-via-brutal-SMS|archive-date=March 22, 2014}} Channing attended the ceremony, where Grohl publicly thanked him for his contributions and noted that he had written some of Nirvana's most recognized drum parts.{{cite web|title=Read Nirvana's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Acceptance Speech|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/read-nirvanas-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-acceptance-speech-20140411|publisher=Rolling Stone|date= April 11, 2014|access-date=April 1, 2016}} In 2023, Nirvana (represented by Novoselic, Grohl, and Smear) were awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Grammy Awards.{{Cite web |title=Nirvana Receives The Lifetime Achievement Award At The 2023 GRAMMYs |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/nirvana-lifetime-achievement-award-2023-grammys |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=www.grammy.com}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

Final lineup

• Kurt Cobain – lead vocals, guitars (1987–1994; his death)
• Krist Novoselic – bass, occasional vocals (1987–1994; all reunion performances), accordion (1993–1994){{cite book |title=MTV Unplugged In New York Liner Notes |date=1 November 1994 |publisher=DGC |url=https://genius.com/Nirvana-mtv-unplugged-in-new-york-liner-notes-annotated|access-date=13 March 2023}}
• Dave Grohl – drums, backing vocals (1990–1994; all reunion performances){{cite web |title=Nevermind |url=http://albumlinernotes.com/Nevermind.html |website=Album Liner Notes |access-date=12 March 2023}}

Former members

• Aaron Burckhard – drums (1987, 1988)
• Dale Crover – drums (1988, 1990), backing vocals (1988){{cite web |last1=Roberts |first1=Alex |title=Dale Demo |url=https://www.livenirvana.com/sessions/studio/january-1988.php |website=LiveNIRVANA.com |publisher=Live Nirvana |access-date=1 October 2021}}
• Dave Foster – drums (1988)
• Chad Channing – drums (1988–1990)
• Jason Everman – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1989)
• Dan Peters – drums (1990)

Touring musicians

• John Duncan – guitar (1993){{cite web |title=july 15, 1993 – 2nd floor, jukebox city, seattle, wa, us |url=https://www.livenirvana.com/sessions/home/july1415-1993.php |website=Live Nirvana |access-date=12 March 2023}}
• Lori Goldston – cello (1993–1994)
• Pat Smear – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1993–1994; all reunion performances){{cite web |title=How Pat Smear Joined Nirvana |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wCjNN6U_ec&ab_channel=TheHowardSternShow |website=YouTube | date=February 15, 2021 |access-date=13 March 2023 |quote="Nirvana at one point had another guitarist like in 1989 or 1990. This dude named Jason Everman was in the band for a bit" – Dave Grohl}}
• Melora Creager – cello (1994){{cite web |title=february 5, 1994 – grupo dramático e sportivo de cacscais, cacscais, pt |url=https://www.livenirvana.com/sessions/home/february05-1994.php |website=Live Nirvana |access-date=12 March 2023}}

{{col-2}}

Session musicians

• Mark Pickerel – drums (1989){{cite web |last1=Endino |first1=Jack |title=Nirvana FAQ |url=http://endino.com/nirvfaq.html |website=Endino.com |publisher=Jack Endino |access-date=1 October 2021}}
• Mark Lanegan – guitar (1989)
• Kirk Canning – cello (1991)
• Kera Schaley – cello (1993){{cite news |last1=evanhlevine |title=Interview: Kera Anne Schaley (Diaper, Martyr & Pistol) |url=https://swanfungus.com/2010/03/interview-kera-anne-schaley-diaper-martyr-pistol/ |access-date=29 October 2022 |work=Swan Fungus |issue=22 March 2010}}

{{col-end}}

{{#tag:timeline|

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id:BV value:pink legend:Backing_vocals

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id:B value:blue legend:Bass

id:D value:orange legend:Drums

id:A value:purple legend:Accordion

id:C value:darkblue legend:Cello

id:T value:yellow legend:Touring_member

id:studio value:black legend:Studio_releases

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bar:DC text:"Dale Crover"

bar:DF text:"Dave Foster"

bar:CC text:"Chad Channing"

bar:DP text:"Dan Peters"

bar:DG text:"Dave Grohl"

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bar:MC text:"Melora Creager

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bar:KC from:31/07/1993 till:23/09/1993 color:RG width:7

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bar:KN from:18/11/1993 till:end color:A width:7

bar:AB from:start till:10/10/1987 color:D

bar:AB from:25/04/1988 till:09/05/1988 color:D

bar:DC from:03/01/1988 till:15/02/1988 color:D

bar:DC from:03/01/1988 till:15/02/1988 color:BV width:3

bar:DC from:10/08/1990 till:25/08/1990 color:D

bar:DC from:10/08/1990 till:25/08/1990 color:T width:3

bar:DF from:16/02/1988 till:24/04/1988 color:D

bar:DF from:08/05/1988 till:29/05/1988 color:D

bar:CC from:21/05/1988 till:22/05/1990 color:D

bar:JE from:05/02/1989 till:19/07/1989 color:BV width:3

bar:JE from:05/02/1989 till:19/07/1989 color:RG

bar:JD from:14/07/1993 till:23/07/1993 color:RG

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bar:PS from:23/09/1993 till:end color:RG

bar:PS from:23/09/1993 till:end color:BV width:3

bar:PS from:23/09/1993 till:end color:T width:7

bar:DP from:01/06/1990 till:25/09/1990 color:D

bar:DG from:25/09/1990 till:end color:D

bar:DG from:25/11/1990 till:end color:BV width:3

bar:LG from:14/07/1993 till:08/01/1994 color:C

bar:LG from:14/07/1993 till:08/01/1994 color:T width:3

bar:MC from:04/02/1994 till:end color:C

bar:MC from:04/02/1994 till:end color:T width:3

}}

{{Main|Nirvana discography|List of songs recorded by Nirvana|l2=list of songs}}

{{Further|Nirvana bootleg recordings}}

• Bleach (1989)
• Nevermind (1991)
• In Utero (1993)

{{Portal|Music}}

• List of alternative rock artists
• List of musicians from Seattle
• List of Nirvana concerts

{{Reflist|refs=

Nirvana songs listed on Rolling Stone{{'}}s "500 Greatest Songs of All Time":

• [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-20110407/nirvana-all-apologies-20110526 "'All Apologies'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904144210/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-20110407/nirvana-all-apologies-20110526 |date=September 4, 2017 }}. Rolling Stone. April 7, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
• [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-20110407/nirvana-come-as-you-are-20110526 "'Come As You Are'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406091826/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-20110407/nirvana-come-as-you-are-20110526 |date=April 6, 2013 }}. Rolling Stone. April 7, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
• [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-20110407/nirvana-in-bloom-20110526 "'In Bloom'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906174222/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-20110407/nirvana-in-bloom-20110526 |date=September 6, 2017 }}. Rolling Stone. April 7, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
• [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-20110407/nirvana-smells-like-teen-spirit-20110516 "'Smells Like Teen Spirit'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008043033/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-20110407/nirvana-smells-like-teen-spirit-20110516 |date=October 8, 2013 }}. Rolling Stone. April 7, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2013.

Nirvana albums listed on Rolling Stone{{'}}s "500 Greatest Albums of All Time":

• [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/nirvana-in-utero-20120525 "'In Utero'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820062716/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/nirvana-in-utero-20120525 |date=August 20, 2017 }}. Rolling Stone. May 31, 2012. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
• [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/nirvana-unplugged-20120524 "'Unplugged'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022141615/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/nirvana-unplugged-20120524 |date=October 22, 2012 }}. Rolling Stone. May 31, 2012. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
• [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/nirvana-nevermind-20120524 "'Nevermind'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309091004/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/nirvana-nevermind-20120524 |date=March 9, 2013 }}. Rolling Stone. May 31, 2012. Retrieved October 4, 2013.

Nirvana albums listed on Rolling Stone{{'}}s "100 Best Albums of the Nineties":

• [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-best-albums-of-the-nineties-20110427/nirvana-mtv-unplugged-in-new-york-20110517 "'MTV Unplugged in New York'"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131108105650/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-best-albums-of-the-nineties-20110427/nirvana-mtv-unplugged-in-new-york-20110517 |date=November 8, 2013}}. Rolling Stone. April 27, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
• [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-best-albums-of-the-nineties-20110427/nirvana-in-utero-20110517 "'In Utero'"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505133939/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-best-albums-of-the-90s-152425/nirvana-in-utero-2-168595/ |date=May 5, 2021}}. Rolling Stone. April 27, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
• [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-best-albums-of-the-nineties-20110427/nirvana-nevermind-20110517 "'Nevermind'"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828233709/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-best-albums-of-the-nineties-20110427/nirvana-nevermind-20110517 |date=August 28, 2017}}. Rolling Stone. April 27, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2013.

}}

• Azerrad, Michael. Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana. Doubleday, 1994. {{ISBN|0-385-47199-8}}
• Cross, Charles R. Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain. Hyperion, 2001. {{ISBN|0-7868-8402-9}}
• DeRogatis, Jim. Milk It!: Collected Musings on the Alternative Music Explosion of the 90's. Da Capo, 2003. {{ISBN|0-306-81271-1}}
• Gaar, Gillian G. In Utero. Continuum, 2006. {{ISBN|0-8264-1776-0}}
• Rocco, John (editor). The Nirvana Companion: Two Decades of Commentary. Schirmer, 1998. {{ISBN|0-02-864930-3}}
• True, Everett. Nirvana: The Biography. Da Capo, 2007. {{ISBN|0-306-81554-0}}

{{sister project links|display=Nirvana|d=Q11649|n=no|b=no|wikt=no|s=no|v=no|voy=no|species=no|mw=no|m=no|commons=:category:Nirvana (musical group)}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{discogs artist}}
• [http://www.livenirvana.com/ Live Nirvana] – Guides to Nirvana studio sessions output and Nirvana live concerts
• [http://www.nirvanaguide.com/ Nirvana Live Guide] – Guide to Nirvana's live performances and recordings
• {{IMDb name|1110321|Nirvana}}

{{Nirvana (band)|state=expanded}}

{{Navboxes

|title = Awards for Nirvana

|list =

{{Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album}}

{{Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award}}

{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Alternative Video}}

{{MTV Video Music Award for Push Best New Artist}}

{{2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}

}}

{{Authority control}}

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