Scarily this was first released 20 years ago!
I was only 7 when Kurt Cobain killed himself so was aware of him, Nirvana's music or the legacy it was to leave. I was probably more worried about (in no particular order) biscuits, Disney and my parents letting me have a pet of some description.
I first became aware of Nirvana and their music around the end of secondary school and seriously got into them during my first year of college. I was instantly attracted to the raw sound of their music, it spoke to me and appealed to my still raw emotions after years of bullying at school. Kurt's lyrics were of alienation among many other things and gave a voice to all of us who had experienced the same.
If I could travel back to the early 90s and see Nirvana live I would in a heartbeat, their energy was stunning. They could be loud and gritty but as proved by their MTV Unplugged performance their music was also beautiful and tender. I challenge you to watch this clip and not be moved -
Of course there are all sorts of legends around Cobain himself, and his relationship with Courtney Love - I don't think the rumours that she was responsible for him death will ever die down but to be honest I'm not interested. I'm focused on the amazing music that the band produced from 1989's Bleach up until 1993's In Utero and also the fantastic "With The Lights Out" boxset that was released in 2004 to mark the 10th anniversary of Kurt's death.
Bleach
Nevermind (the one with Smells Like Teen Spirit)
Incestecide
In Utero (Happy 20th Birthday)
From The Muddy Banks Of The Wishkah (My first Nirvana album purchase for all you fact fans)
The following albums were released after Kurt's death in April 1994
Unplugged In New York
There were no further released until the greatest hits with the previously unreleased "You Know You're Right" which introduced a whole new generation (Including me) to their music
Then at Christmas 2004 an amazing treat, 3 CDs and 1 DVDs worth of previously unreleased music and footage.
With The Lights Out
This did set a trend and the following year another set of unreleased songs appeared entitled 'Sliver'
I'll admit I don't own this CD, it was panned by the music press as scraping the barrel and I didn't want to spoil the enjoyment I'd gotten from With The Lights Out.
The next release was far better, it was the CD & DVD of their infamous Reading performance
This is what a live concert should be - take note Coldplay!
It's impossible to overstate Nirvana's legacy on music. Bands and artists as diverse as Snow Patrol, Ash and even Dizzie Rascal name them as influences, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers even pay tribute to Kurt in the lyrics of Californication ("Cobain can you hear the spheres spinning songs off station to station"). You can directly see Cobain's influence in my favorite band 30 Seconds To Mars' live performances, taking the concert to the crowd (quite literally in Jared's case with his habit of launching himself into the crowd).
Kurt over the crowd
Jared in the crowd in London (taken by yours truely)
Other musicians that owe a debt to Nirvana are plentiful, the entire Emo movement owes a debt to Kurt's lyrical style. The dark lyrics with a wry sense of humor. Bands who eschew the 'Rockstar Lifestyle' are mirroring Cobain's choices 2 decades ago.
At the end of the day whether you're a fan of Kurt & Nirvana or not, what you cannot deny is that they helped revolutionize the music industry, killed off the poodle permed hair metallers and most importantly left behind some amazing music, and that music is the most important legacy that will live forever.
RIP Kurt.
Love Jen
XxxxxX
Now do me a favour and turn this up LOUD!
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