Nirvana has been called the quintessential alternative band of the 90's. The trio, Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl, and Krist Novoselic formed in Washington and grew into one of the most influential bands of the decade. The formation of Nirvana started in 1985 when Cobain and Novoselic starting playing together in various bands. Before Nirvana, Cobain could be found in numerous bands including The Melvins, Fecal Matter, Stiff Woodies, Brown Cow, The Sellouts, and Skid Row (several with Novoselic). By the end of 1987, Nirvana was born when drummer Aaron Burckhard was added and then replaced with Chad Channing.
1988 -------------------------
October
Nirvana's first recording effort together resulted in a demo named "Godfather Of Grunge" and the single "Love Buzz/Big Cheese."
1989 -------------------------
June
"Bleach" was released and the band started to tour the U.S. The LP gained Nirvana a following on college-radio and the gradual attention of various record labels. The LP featured the popular Nirvana track "About A Girl."
1990 -------------------------
September
Grohl joined the band as drummer and toured in England for a short time with L7.
1991 -------------------------
September
Nirvana signed with Geffen Record and "Nevermind" was released. The first single, "Smells Like Teen Spirit," instantly hits with alternative radio fans and the video viewers.
Nirvana ended the year on a European tour and some U.S. appearances with Pearl Jam and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
1992 -------------------------
"Nevermind" topped the LP charts at the start of the year as more tracks from the LP hit radio and video channels.
January
Nirvana hit the Top 10 with "Smells Like Teen Spirit". Nirvana spent a majority of the year touring the U.S. and Europe.
Nirvana were nominated for an American Music Award for Favorite New Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist.
February
Nirvana were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album ("Nevermind").
Cobain married Courtney Love of Hole and welcomed a daughter into their family in August.
April
Nirvana hit the Top 40 with "Come As You Are".
September
The video for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" won 2 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Alternative Video and Best New Artist, and was also nominated for Video of the Year and Viewer's Choice.
December
Nirvana released a collection of b-sides and rare tracks with "Incesticide".
1993 -------------------------
Even with a new marriage and baby, Cobain didn't have much to celebrate in 1993. During the year, a few accusations of heroin use and overdoses were reported and problems persisted with the new LP not being satisfactory to their record label.
February
Nirvana was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song (songwriter) ("Smells Like Teen Spirit").
September
After some retouches requested by their label, Nirvana released "In Utero" and began touring North America. Nirvana had success with the tracks "Heart-Shaped Box" and "All Apologies."
October
Rolling Stone: "The 100 Top Music Videos" includes "Smells Like Teen Spirit" at # 2 and "In Bloom" at # 39.
Nirvana topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for 3 weeks with "Heart-Shaped Box."
In Utero topped the Billboard 200 Pop Albums chart for a week.
Nirvana could be seen on MTV Unplugged (taped in November).
Nirvana could also be found on the compilation, No Alternative, with "Verse Chorus Verse."
1994 -------------------------
January
In Seattle, on January 7th, Nirvana played what would be their last show U.S. together, and then began touring Europe in February.
Nirvana topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for 2 weeks with "All Apologies."
March
Nirvana was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album ("In Utero").
The band played their final performance together on March 1st in Munich. While on vacation in Rome, Cobain attempted suicide by mixing tranquilizers and alcohol and was in a coma for a day. After being hospitalized, Cobain and Love returned to Seattle where more suicide threats continued.
Nirvana hit the Top 40 with "All Apologies."
April
Cobain was admitted into Exodus Recovery Center and later escaped on April 1st and was reported missing by his mother.
On April 8th, Cobain was found dead in Seattle from a self-inflicted gunshot wound (that occurred on April 5th).
September
The video for "Heart-Shaped Box" won 2 MTV Video Music Awards including Best Alternative Video and Best Art Direction (Bernadette Disanto) and was nominated for Video of the Year, Best Cinematography, and Viewer's Choice.
October
Nirvana hit the Top 40 with "About A Girl."
November
"MTV Unplugged In New York" was released followed by the video, "Live! Tonight! Sold Out!". The band could also be found on the Beavis And Butthead Experience soundtrack with "I Hate Myself And Want To Die."
"MTV Unplugged In New York" topped the Billboard Pop Albums chart for a week.
December
Nirvana topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for a week with "About A Girl."
Grohl went on to find success with the Foo Fighters and Novoselic formed Sweet 75.
1995 -------------------------
January
Nirvana won an American Music Award for Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist.
1996
February
Nirvana won a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album ("MTV Unplugged In New York").
October
A live Nirvana LP," From The Muddy Banks Of The Wishkah", was released containing concert performances from 1989 to 1994.
"From The Muddy Banks Of The Wishkah" topped the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart for a week.
1997 -------------------------
January
Rock 'N Roll Hall Of Fame's 500 Songs That Shaped Rock And Roll includes "Smells Like Teen Spirit".
1998 -------------------------
May
Ranked # 42 on VH1: Greatest Artists of Rock & Roll (and # 6 on Rock On The Net's Poll).
June
Novoselic, talked to a Senate committee in defense of controversial music lyrics. He stated, "We have to move beyond the grainy, black and white approach of blaming lyrics. We need to move forward and apply full-spectrum, high-definition solutions to the challenges facing our nation and especially youth. On Marilyn Manson, who was one of the musicians being scrutinized at the hearings, Novoselic said the he doesn't "...misrepresent himself... he's saying 'I'm gross, I'm icky, I'm nasty'... and he is... if young people are looking for truth, maybe they're finding it in Marilyn Manson."
1999 -------------------------
December
When Spin magazine named "The 90 Greatest Albums of the 90s" Nirvana's "Nevermind" topped the list.
MTV: 100 Greatest Videos includes "Smells Like Teen Spirit" at # 3.
2000 -------------------------
January
VH1: 100 Greatest Rock Songs includes: # 41: "Smells Like Teen Spirit."
November
Nirvana came in at # 6 on VH1: 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.
Rolling Stone & MTV: 100 Greatest Pop Songs includes "Smells Like Teen Spirit" at # 3.
2001 -------------------------
January
VH1: 100 Greatest Albums includes "Nevermind" at # 2.
May
VH1: 100 Greatest Videos includes # 4 - "Smells Like Teen Spirit."
2002 -------------------------
June
A court fight developed between the remaining members of Nirvana and Cobain's widow, Courtney Love, over the rights of Cobain's final recordings before his death.
September
Cobain ranked # 49 on VH1: 100 Sexiest Artists.
October
Nirvana returned to the top of the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for 4 weeks with "You Know You're Right."
The video for "You Know You're Right" topped the MTV Video Countdown.
A Nirvana collection, "Nirvana", was released.
November
Nirvana hit the Top 40 with "You Know You're Right."
Nirvana topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for 4 weeks with "You Know You're Right."
December
"Nirvana" was certified platinum.
2003 -------------------------
June
VH1: 100 Best Songs of the Past 25 Years includes "Smells Like Teen Spirit" at # 1.
August
Novoselic announced he was no longer pursuing a career in music after his last band Eyes Adrift failed to hit it big.
