Nirvana is a US rock band that revolutionized the world by its modern rock and roll culture. In 1996, their posthumous live album as “MTV Unplugged in New York” (1994) won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album in 1996. The band has sold more than twenty-five million records in the US and more than seventy-five million records throughout the world.
This has made it one of the best-selling rock bands of all time. Furthermore, Nirvana has been ranked at 30th position on the list of the Hundred Greatest Artists of All Time in 2004. The band got inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
Inception
Nirvana band was formed in 1987 in Aberdeen, Washington. It was founded by a lead guitarist and singer Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic. They both met while studying at Aberdeen High School in Washington state. They became good friends and desired to form a band of their own.
They expanded their team by recruiting Dave Grohl in 1990. With the team of three, the Nirvana group started producing music albums. In 1988, the band launched its first single as “Love Buzz,” on the Seattle independent record label Sub Pop. In 1989, the band released their first album as ‘Bleach’ in association with Sub Pop.
In 1991, the band signed to famous label DGC Records and received mainstream success with their first album “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” This success was followed by their second album as Nevermind (1991).
The album obtained Diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America. This sudden success of Nirvana popularized the rock music world. People started recognizing them as the “flagship band” of Generation X. The lead singer, Cobain, was mentioned as the “spokesman of a generation.”
Evolution
After the second album release, the band has established itself as the leading rock band in America.
After a series of tours and launching their compilation album as “Incesticide” and EP “Hormoaning” in 1992, Nirvana launched their third studio album, as “In Utero” (1993). This music album received critical acclamation. The album became a commercial success. In September 1993, In Utero stood at No. 1 place on the Billboard 200 album chart in the United States. In February 1993, Nirvana came up with a single “Puss”/”Oh, the Guilt,” with an independent label, The Jesus Lizard.
In Utero, the album became so successful that its more than five million copies were sold in the United States. In November, the band recorded a musical performance for the popular TV program, “MTV Unplugged.” In early 1994, the members of the band boarded on a European tour. Their final concert was held on March 1 in Munich, Germany. The chief member of the Nirvana band, Cobain, died in 1994. After this, the band dissolved.
Below is the final line up of the band:
- Kurt Cobain – lead vocals, and lead guitarist (1987–1994)
- Krist Novoselic – bassist (1987–1994)
- Dave Grohl – drummer, and backing vocals (1990–1994)
Touring musicians
- John Duncan – rhythm guitar (1992 to 1993)
- Pat Smear – rhythm guitar (1993 to1994)
- Lori Goldston – cello (1993 to 1994)
- Melora Creager – cello (1994)
Former group members
- Bob McFadden – drummer (1986 to 1987)
- Aaron Burckhard – drummer (1987, 1988)
- Dale Crover – drummer (1988, 1990)
- Dave Foster – drummer (1988)
- Chad Channing – drummer (1988 to 1990)
- Jason Everman –guitarist (1989)
Awards & Achievements
Nirvana is one of the most recognized bands, not just in America but also in the world. The band’s two studio albums and two live albums made it to the top place on the Billboard 200. Nirvana was awarded one Diamond, seven Platinum, two Gold-certified albums, and three Multi-Platinum in the US by the RIAA. It has also received four Multi-Platinum, two Gold, and one Silver certified albums in Britain by the BPI.
Nevermind, has been one of the most successful albums whose more than thirty million copies were sold worldwide. It became the best-selling albums of all time. Their song, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” became the best-selling singles that sold more than eight million copies.
The success of the band can be gauged by looking at their achievements. Nirvana also received the Brit Award, Grammy Award, seven MTV Video Music Awards, two NME Awards, and American Music Award.
In 2003, the members of Nirvana were chosen as the inductees of the Mojo Hall of Fame 100. In 2004, Nirvana was nominated from the UK Music Hall of Fame for “Greatest Artist of the 1990s”.
Net Worth of Nirvana in 2024
Nirvana has sold over seventy-five million records throughout the world. By Christmas 1991, Nevermind sold 400,000 copies per week only in America. Its single “Smells Like Teen Spirit” achieved mass-market success in the US.
In January 1992, the music album reached at No. 1 position on the Billboard album charts displacing Michael Jackson‘s Dangerous. The album topped the charts in several other nations too. The final results show that the album sold more than seven million copies in the US and over thirty million copies worldwide.
The Nirvana band recorded more than twenty-five million RIAA-certified units and became the eightieth best-selling music band America.
Their third album, In Utero (1993), included hit songs like “Rape Me” and “All Apologies” that reached No.1 position on the U.S. album charts.
The net worth of each member of the Nirvana band is all follows:
Kurt Cobain – 60 Million Dollars
Dave Grohl – 300 Million Dollars
Krist Novoselic – 60 Million Dollars
Nirvana is regarded as one of the best-selling and award-winning rock bands of all time. It got his major breakthrough from the US alternative rock group, Nevermind (1991), that revolutionized the music with a new musical style “grunge.” The band has given several hit albums that have entertained music lovers all across the globe.