There’s something about Dave Grohl that instantly puts people at ease.
His laid-back smile and reputation as the ‘nicest man in rock’ certainly help, but what really makes Grohl trustworthy is his unmatched authority in the world of rock and roll.
Having been a key player in two of the biggest rock bands of all time, he commands respect.
As Nirvana’s drummer, Grohl was a powerhouse. His pounding rhythms provided the perfect backbeat to Kurt Cobain’s raw, generation-defining lyrics, cementing his status as an authentic rock figure.
That foundation also set him up for his next act: fronting the Foo Fighters. He shed the image of a background musician and became the charismatic, captivating frontman he’s known as today.
Grohl’s words carry weight, which means when he talks, fans listen. His declaration of Ry Cooder’s Paris, Texas soundtrack as his all-time favorite likely gave the film a boost in viewers.
His defense and admiration of Ringo Starr likely opened up a whole new generation to the oft-overlooked talents of The Beatles’ drummer.
And when Grohl speaks of his love for Neil Young, music fans would do well to listen closely.
Neil Young’s influence runs deep across generations of musicians, especially those in the grunge movement.
Although Grohl wasn’t originally from Seattle, the heartland of grunge, his admiration for Young made him a natural fit in Nirvana.
Young’s 1979 album Rust Never Sleeps, with its heavily distorted guitar work, is often considered a precursor to grunge, which earned him the nickname ‘Godfather of Grunge.’
His music inspired an entire generation of rockers, including Nirvana and Pearl Jam.
As grunge ascended in the early ‘90s, Nirvana and Pearl Jam didn’t hesitate to point out how much they owed their sound to Neil Young.
His rough, raw guitar tones and willingness to push boundaries gave artists like Grohl and his peers permission to redefine how guitars could sound.
Neil Young’s impact on grunge, and on rock music as a whole, is undeniable.
