Nirvana, the groundbreaking band from Seattle, did not score a lot of chart hits, but will forever be remembered in music history for ushering in a new genre of music. The trio of Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl, and Krist (Chris) Novoselic achieved crossover success with the landmark song "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in 1991. Most people figure it was a #1 smash, but it topped off at #6. It would remain the band's only top 10 hit. Nirvana would see the top 40 three more times with "Come As You Are" (#32), "About A Girl" (#22), and "The Man Who Sold The World" (#39, a David Bowie cover). There is little doubt Nirvana would have remained a chart staple and influential band, but everything ended when Cobain committed suicide in 1994 at the age of 27. By 1995, Dave Grohl founded the Foo Fighters and has had a hugely successful post-Nirvana career. Despite their truncated career, Nirvana was inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame in 2014. "Serve The Servants" kicks off "In Utero," the 1993 follow-up record to "Nevermind." Arguably one of the more accessible tracks from the record, it surprises me that it did not get more attention.
Actress and rock star Courtney Love scored three chart appearances with her band, Hole, in the 90s. Love's life has been peppered with tragedies, including the deaths of her husband Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) and Hole's bassist, Kristen Pfaff, both in 1994 when Hole's breakthrough album arrived. "Doll Parts" hit #58 that year, but the band's follow-up record in 1998 was even more radio-friendly, earning "Celebrity Skin" and "Malibu" spots at #56 and #81, respectively. Both of those singles were co-written with Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins. Hole's 1998 record had plenty of other good tunes, including "Boys On The Radio." It's another acoustic-based rocker like "Malibu," and could have had charting potential.
Two tragedies surround the Florida band For Squirrels. The song that was giving the band national recognition was called "Mighty K.C.," the K.C. standing for Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, not the dude from the Sunshine Band. The band is rumored to have gotten its name because they would be willing to play for anyone in their struggling early days, even for squirrels. But their hard work and talent paid off, and they were set to release their major debut, "Example," in October 1995. Just one month prior, the band was involved in an accident that claimed the lives of singer Jack Vigliatura, bassist Bill White, and tour manager Tim Bender. The video is a tribute to those lost in the accident. Whenever I hear this song now, the line "things are going to change in our favor" always gives me chills. "Might y K.C." would reach #70 on the charts in early 1996 and illustrates the knack these guys had to blend grunge and pop. The haunting versus are chased away by an irresistibly sing-a-long chorus.
Named after UFO images spotted by World War II pilots, the Foo Fighters gave Dave Grohl and second chance at the rock and roll life after the tragic suicide of Nirvana's Kurt Cobain. Grohl quickly proved he was much more than a drummer, picking up songwriting, guitar, and vocal duties for the Foo Fighters. The first album was virtually a one man band effort. The debut album was a success and spawned two top 40 hits in 1995-6, "This Is The Call" (#35) and "Big Me" (#13). The band has continued to achieve remarkable success since the 90s, but has only landed 3 additional top 40 hits with "Learn To Fly" (#19), "Best Of You" (#18), and "The Pretender" (#37). They've had plenty of other singles break the top 100, including my favorite, "Long Road To Ruin," which topped out at #89 in 2008. How that didn't go top 10 is beyond me. "Cheer Up, Boys (Your Make Up Is Running)" is taken from the same album as "Ruin" - "Echoes, Silence, Patience, and Grace," which went to #3 on the Top 200 albums. This was the third single from the record and should have become another charting hit for the band.
