Rock and Roll History Rock and Roll History EpilogueEpilogue

Beyond NirvanaBeyond Nirvana

NirvanaNirvana

Became famous with the 1991 release of Became famous with the 1991 release of Nevermind Nevermind and its and its hit single “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”hit single “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”

Their noisy, thrashing combination of punk and alternative Their noisy, thrashing combination of punk and alternative styles came to be known as “grunge.”styles came to be known as “grunge.”

Guitarist and lead singer Kurt Cobain’s voice could be Guitarist and lead singer Kurt Cobain’s voice could be “raspingly hoarse or plaintively sweet.” Other songs included: “raspingly hoarse or plaintively sweet.” Other songs included: “Lithium” and “Drain You.”“Lithium” and “Drain You.”

In UteroIn Utero (1993) contained a “dark, unrelentingly pessimistic (1993) contained a “dark, unrelentingly pessimistic batch of songs” with “few instrumental hooks or friendly batch of songs” with “few instrumental hooks or friendly melodies.”melodies.”

Kobain committed suicide in 1994 allowing Pearl Jam to Kobain committed suicide in 1994 allowing Pearl Jam to become the unofficial leader of the “grunge movement.”become the unofficial leader of the “grunge movement.”Sources: Shirley, 147-148. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana_%28band%29

Female Bands and Female Bands and PerformersPerformers

In the early 1990s, The Breeders, Belly, In the early 1990s, The Breeders, Belly, Throwing Muses, and Bikini Kill began to rival the Throwing Muses, and Bikini Kill began to rival the success of alternative mainstays like Pavement, success of alternative mainstays like Pavement, Beck and Fugazi.Beck and Fugazi.

Hole, formed by Courtney Love, widow of Kurt Hole, formed by Courtney Love, widow of Kurt Cobain, was one of the best.Cobain, was one of the best.

Other standouts included: BjOther standouts included: Bjöörk, Liz Phair, and rk, Liz Phair, and P.J. Harvey.P.J. Harvey.

Source: Shirley, 149-150.

BjBjörkörk

Born in Iceland in 1965.Born in Iceland in 1965. Former lead singer of the Former lead singer of the

Sugarcubes.Sugarcubes. Used her jazz-inspired Used her jazz-inspired

“squeal” to produce two of “squeal” to produce two of the most inspired albums of the most inspired albums of that period, that period, Debut Debut and and Post.Post.

Sources: Shirley, 150. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bjork

Liz PhairLiz Phair

Born in New Haven, CT in Born in New Haven, CT in 1967.1967.

Exile in GuyvilleExile in Guyville (1993) was (1993) was a stunning 14-song a stunning 14-song response to the Stones’ response to the Stones’ classic classic Exile on Main Street.Exile on Main Street.

It gained attention for it It gained attention for it catchy melodies and the catchy melodies and the singer’s fondness for singer’s fondness for profanity.profanity.

Sources: Shirley, 150. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liz_Phair

P. J. HarveyP. J. Harvey

Polly Jo Harvey was born in Polly Jo Harvey was born in 1969 in Yeovil, England.1969 in Yeovil, England.

To Send You My LoveTo Send You My Love (1995) (1995) was a hard, bluesy, organ-was a hard, bluesy, organ-driven masterpiece.driven masterpiece.

With her “rough, throaty With her “rough, throaty vocals,” it was the most vocals,” it was the most “riveting performance since “riveting performance since NevermindNevermind.”.”

Sources: Shirley, 150-151. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._J._Harvey

ConclusionConclusion The recording industry sought to profit from these trends The recording industry sought to profit from these trends

and more accessible artists in both grunge and women’s and more accessible artists in both grunge and women’s alternative rock were signed.alternative rock were signed.

Alanis Morisette released Alanis Morisette released Jagged Little PillJagged Little Pill in 1995 and sold in 1995 and sold six million copies.six million copies.

Hootie and the Blowfish’s debut album Hootie and the Blowfish’s debut album Cracked Rear ViewCracked Rear View sold more than 12 million copies with their cheerful, sold more than 12 million copies with their cheerful, watered-down version of Pearl Jam’s arena rock.watered-down version of Pearl Jam’s arena rock.

After 25 years the remaining members of The Beatles After 25 years the remaining members of The Beatles staged a brief reunion and released a double album with staged a brief reunion and released a double album with rare outtakes and new versions of two previously rare outtakes and new versions of two previously unreleased songs.unreleased songs.

After 18 years John Lydon planned a reunion tour of the Sex After 18 years John Lydon planned a reunion tour of the Sex Pistols for the summer of 1996. They also did a 3 week tour Pistols for the summer of 1996. They also did a 3 week tour in 2003.in 2003.

Sources: Shirley, 151. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_Pistols