The Seattle grunge movement played a crucial role in bringing alternative rock to the forefront of the mainstream music scene. Nirvana emerged as one of the prominent figures in this genre. Formed in the 1980s, the band gained momentum in the ‘90s and achieved widespread commercial success with their iconic anthem, ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’, which resonated with disillusioned youth.
Derived from their second album, Nevermind, which was released in 1991, the record achieved remarkable commercial success, solidifying the band’s position in the alternative rock genre. Inspired by Kurt Cobain’s introspective lyrics and backed by intense, raw instrumentation, Nevermind firmly established Nirvana. They became a pivotal force in American music history.
Their third and final studio album, In Utero, was released in 1993, just under a year before Cobain’s tragic passing from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The band’s time in the spotlight may have been brief. However, their impact was immense, leaving a lasting impression on countless aspiring musicians.
However, not everyone was thrilled with the trio, as several popular musicians openly expressed their dislike for the band’s music or its members.
Five artists that hate Nirvana:
Guns ‘N’ Roses
During Cobain’s lifetime, he had a continuous conflict with Axl Rose from Guns ‘N’ Roses. It’s evident that Cobain, who was open-minded, didn’t appreciate the musician. Cobain often criticized Rose for his lyrics, expressing his strong disapproval of the offensive and discriminatory content.
Their ongoing conflict persisted for a considerable period, marked by numerous incidents from both parties. For instance, Rose referred to Cobain and Courtney Love as “junkies” and even suggested that they should be imprisoned if their baby was born with deformities. Cobain even remembered (via Louder Sound) that after Love responded to these remarks, Rose warned the Nirvana frontman, “You better control your partner, or I will bring you down to the ground.”
Malcolm Young
Malcolm Young from AC/DC, like many other musicians, had a different taste in music and did not particularly resonate with Nirvana. However, he maintained a respectful stance and never engaged in any conflicts with the band. It might be unexpected that a member of a hard rock band had a strong dislike for the sound of Nirvana’s music. He found it inherently abrasive and loud.
During an interview with Metal CD, Young expressed his opinion about the “blond feller“. He considered him to be somewhat of a poser, referring to the Nirvana singer. Meanwhile, Cobain had mixed feelings about AC/DC’s music, appreciating the instrumentation but not connecting with the lyrics.
Jay Jay French
Hello, Jay! Jay French, the guitarist of Twisted Sister, has additional insights to share about Nirvana. In 2020, he made an appearance on Daniel Sarkissian’s YouTube channel, sharing his candid thoughts on Nirvana’s emergence. I watched their performance on SNL and found it to be subpar. I thought to myself, “this band is not very skilled.”
He continued, “That was my initial response because we were accustomed to delivering exceptional performances every night in the bar scene.” When I witnessed musicians who appeared disinterested and under the influence, it was difficult for me to hold them in high regard.
Mick Jagger
The Rolling Stones revolutionized popular music in the 1960s, pushing the boundaries of the rock genre. They achieved unparalleled success as one of the top-selling bands in history. Surprisingly, lead singer Mick Jagger failed to recognize that Nirvana was following a similar path years later, dismissing their efforts.
In a 1995 interview with Rolling Stone, Jagger expressed his dissatisfaction with the current state of rock music. He mentioned his fondness for Pearl Jam but did not share the same appreciation for Nirvana. “I was never a fan of Nirvana – their music was too filled with angst for my taste.”
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons, a prominent figure in the shock rock movement of the 1970s, was the lead singer of Kiss. He incorporated controversial and occasionally offensive lyrics into their songs. Cobain had a similar perspective on Kiss as he did on AC/DC. He considered himself a fan of their music, but not necessarily a strong advocate for all of their lyrics.
While it may be a bit of an exaggeration to claim that Simmons despises Nirvana, he certainly didn’t mince words when discussing Cobain’s iconic status. In an interview with Team Rock Radio, he expressed his belief that there will never again be bands on the same scale as “Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Rolling Stones.” He also mentioned Jimi Hendrix and the Who.
He remarked, “Kurt Cobain – well, that’s only a couple of records.” That’s insufficient. What, simply because you passed away, does that automatically make you an icon? Sorry, but no.
