The Seattle grunge movement revolutionized alternative rock, with Nirvana standing at the forefront. Emerging in the late 1980s, the band gained immense traction in the early ’90s, especially with their iconic anthem for disillusioned youth, “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
This track, from their landmark album Nevermind, released in 1991, catapulted Nirvana into the mainstream, making the album one of the best-selling records ever—a remarkable achievement for an alt-rock band. Driven by Kurt Cobain’s poignant lyrics exploring themes of nonconformity and isolation, coupled with heavy, abrasive instrumentation, Nevermind established Nirvana as a pivotal force in American music history.
Nirvana’s third and final studio album, In Utero, arrived in 1993, just months before Cobain’s tragic death from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Though their time together was brief, the band’s impact on future generations of musicians was monumental. However, not everyone embraced Nirvana; several notable artists openly criticized the band and its members.
Five Artists Who Never Liked Nirvana:
Guns N’ Roses
While Cobain was alive, he engaged in a notorious feud with Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses. Cobain frequently criticized Rose’s lyrics, deeming him “a fucking sexist and a racist and a homophobe,” according to The Advocate. The rivalry escalated with Rose disparaging Cobain and Courtney Love, and their exchanges were marked by harsh insults and threats.
Malcolm Young
Malcolm Young of AC/DC also expressed his dislike for Nirvana, though he never publicly feuded with them. Surprisingly, the hard rock guitarist voiced his distaste for their sound. In an interview with Metal CD, Young dismissed Cobain, referring to him as a “bit of a poser.” Cobain, on the other hand, had mixed feelings about AC/DC, appreciating the instrumentation but criticizing the lyrics.
Jay Jay French
Jay Jay French, guitarist for Twisted Sister, shared his candid opinion about Nirvana in a 2020 interview on Daniel Sarkissian’s YouTube channel. He stated that upon seeing Nirvana perform on SNL, he thought they “sucked,” expressing frustration at their apparent lack of professionalism. Coming from a background where live performance quality was paramount, French found little respect for what he perceived as disinterest from the band.
Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger, the legendary frontman of The Rolling Stones, didn’t see Nirvana as revolutionary as they viewed themselves. In a 1995 interview with Rolling Stone, he remarked that while he appreciated Pearl Jam, he wasn’t a fan of Nirvana, calling their music “too angst-ridden” for his taste.
Gene Simmons
As a co-founder of Kiss and a key figure in the shock rock movement, Gene Simmons held a mixed view of Nirvana. While he acknowledged liking some of their music, he criticized Cobain’s legacy, suggesting that true greatness required more than just a couple of successful albums. He stated, “What, just cause you died makes you an icon?” expressing skepticism about Cobain’s status compared to the likes of Elvis and The Beatles.
Despite the mixed reactions from these iconic musicians, Nirvana’s legacy remains a cornerstone of rock history, continuously inspiring countless artists across genres.
