Even the most famous bands in the world started from humble beginnings, and Nirvana was no different.
Before they were the most popular band in the world and changing the course of rock they were an unknown garage band just trying to get gigs and rehearse wherever they could.
In what’s thought to be the earliest known rehearsal footage of the future super group, Kurt Cobain (with short hair) and the crew – minus Dave Grohl, who wasn’t a member yet – were ripping through a set list above bassist Krist Novoselic’s mom’s hair salon in Aberdeen, Washington in December, 1988.
The footage was filmed Novoselic’s brother Robert and shows the band playing some of the earliest versions of what would become the Bleach album. They also cover Led Zeppelin’s classic Immigrant Song.
According to Robert:
“We got some beer, watched my brother and partied. We didn’t really think anything of it because they weren’t that popular then. I do remember some kids walking by that night, stopping and standing there listening with an amazed look on their faces, like it was music they never heard before. They really didn’t know what to make of it, other than it was good. That was the night I though there may be something really special happening with this band.”
Take a look at rock history. It’s crazy to think this same group of screw ups would be the most popular band in the world three years from the date this was recorded when Nevermind was released in 1991.
Note: The date on the camcorder says 1987, but it’s wrong because no one ever took the time to set the right date on those things.