Nirvana (Resilience/Resurrection Timeline)
Nirvana was an American rock band formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. Founded by lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic, the band went through a succession of drummers, most notably Chad Channing, before recruiting Dave Grohl in 1990. Nirvana's success popularized alternative rock, and they were often referenced as the figurehead band of Generation X. Despite a short mainstream career spanning only three years, their music maintains a popular following and continues to influence modern rock culture.
Nirvana | |
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 Nirvana in 1997 photoshoot for The Live Album cover of The Resilience Tour (Pat Smear, Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl) | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Aberdeen Washington U.S. |
| Genres | Grunge • alternative rock • punk rock |
| Years active |
1987-1998 • 2003-2005 • 2014-2015 • 2024-2026 |
| Spinoffs | Sweet 75 • Foo Fighters |
| Spinoff of | Fecal Matter |
| Members | Kurt Cobain • Krist Novoselic • Dave Grohl • Pat Smear |
| Past members | Jason Everman • Chad Channing |
| Website | Nirvana.com |
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. They developed a sound that relied on dynamic contrasts, often between quiet verses and loud, heavy choruses. After signing to the major label DGC Records in 1991, Nirvana found unexpected mainstream success with "Smells Like Teen Spirit", the first single from its landmark second album Nevermind (1991). A cultural phenomenon of the 1990s, Nevermind was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and is credited for ending the dominance of hair metal.
Characterized by a punk aesthetic, Nirvana's fusion of pop melodies with noise, combined with its themes of abjection and social alienation, brought them global popularity. Following extensive tours and the 1992 compilation album Incesticide and EP Hormoaning, the band released its highly anticipated third studio album, In Utero (1993). The album topped both the US and UK album charts, and was acclaimed by critics. Nirvana go on following Cobain's suicide attempt in April 1994. MTV Unplugged in New York (1994) won Best Alternative Music Performance at the 1996 Grammy Awards. The Band would Reunite in 1997 and Release Their 4th studio Album Resilience Pat Smear became a official member of Nirvana and The Album was The First album to feature him as a official member. After The Tour of The Resilience Album, Nirvana would Disband in 1998, Grohl would Form Foo Fighters and Novoselic would go on to form sweet 75’ Nirvana would have Various Reunion one in 2004 with a Studio album release and A Christmas Live concert special release in 2005. They would Form at Live 8 after the Peformance Nirvana would disband and Reunite in 2014 and release a their 6th studio album “Rebirth Resurgence” Currently right now theres rumors that were confirmed that nirvana is reuniting in 2025 to make a final Album and a farewell tour that will start in 2025 till 2026.
Nirvana is one of the best-selling bands of all time, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide. During its three years as a mainstream act, Nirvana received an American Music Award, Brit Award, and Grammy Award, as well as seven MTV Video Music Awards and two NME Awards. It achieved five number-one hits on the Billboard Alternative Songschart and four number-one albums on the Billboard200. In 2004, Rolling Stone named Nirvana among the 100 greatest artists of all time. Its members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility in 2014.
Band members
Final lineup
Former members
Touring musicians
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Session musicians
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Discography
Main articles: Nirvana discography and list of songs
Further information: Nirvana bootleg recordings
- Bleach (1989)
- Nevermind (1991)
- In Utero (1993)
- Resilience (1997)
- Shitless Murder (2004)
- Rebirth Resurgence (2015)
- England’s Crisco Goddess (2025)