Not many guitar bands would argue against being compared to Led Zeppelin. The London-bred rockers became one of the most influential bands of all time. They penned innumerable hits and inspired a generation of guitarists to try and imitate their loud, catchy riffs. It’s difficult to top being compared to Led Zeppelin, but being compared to The Beatles is even more flattering.
The Beatles are without a doubt the most important band in history, even though Led Zeppelin is undoubtedly among the greatest rock bands of all time. They are number one in record sales. Lists of the best songs ever written consistently include their songs. Their significant influence still resonates in both production and the larger industry today. Guitar bands galore covet a comparison to the Fab Four.
It’s hard to draw parallels with either of those groups, but Jack Black once said a grunge band from the 1990s deserved to be in both. Black praised the trio, comparing the life-changing experience of listening to Nirvana to discovering Led Zeppelin or The Beatles. This came when Rolling Stone asked the multi-talented artist to consider the influence of the band’s explosive sophomore record, Nevermind.
Black made the significant analogy after referring to his discovery of Nirvana as a “formative experience.” He said, “I had never heard anything like it before, and it was so compelling; it must have been like when people first heard The Beatles or Led Zeppelin, you know.”
Black makes a daring claim, but Nirvana is a band that deserves it more than anyone else. Nirvana picked up the mantle and reimagined guitar music for a modern audience. They followed in the footsteps of The Beatles, who pioneered rock and recording in the 1960s. Led Zeppelin broadened the genre’s appeal in the 1970s.
The group, led by Kurt Cobain, introduced a new type of frontman to guitar music by adding a melodic yet sludgy element. He was writing catchy hooks that could rival those heard on mainstream radio. However, he was masking them with grunge aesthetics and somber lyrics. In addition to revitalizing guitar music, Cobain changed the stereotype of the rock star by speaking out against misogyny and homophobia with his platform.
For millions of young people who love music as much as Black did, this was a completely novel audio experience. The catchy riffs, catchy choruses, and melancholic intensity of Nirvana brought the genre back to the attention of disinterested young people. Their initial impression was probably similar to the first time they heard “Come Together” or “Immigrant Song.”
Years after Jack black was first introduced to Nirvana, the grunge rockers have established themselves as one of the most influential bands of all time. Songs like “Smells Like Teen Spirit” have earned a spot among the greatest of all time. Kurt Cobain remains one of the most respected frontmen and songwriters in music history. There is a certain weight associated with being compared to the greats, such as The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. However, Nirvana’s legacy is more than capable of supporting it.
