Nirvana was one of the most popular and influential rock and roll (see entry under 1950s—Music in volume 3) bands of the 1990s. Pioneers of the "grunge" (see entry under 1990s—Music in volume 5) style, the Seattle, Washington–based trio helped bring about a mini-revolution in music and fashion, before the tragic suicide of frontman Kurt Cobain (1967–1994) in 1994 brought an abrupt end to the band's career.

Formed in 1987, Nirvana consisted of Cobain on lead guitar and vocals, Chris Novoselic (1965–) on bass guitar, and Dave Grohl (1969–) on drums. Their 1989 debut album Bleach attracted the attention of rock critics, but it was the 1991 follow-up Nevermind that made them into superstars. The single "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was a smash hit. The group's heavy sound and ragged flannel shirts quickly caught fire with teenagers worldwide. After a 1993 album, In Utero, drug use and depression finally caught up with the sensitive Cobain...