Today in Grunge Music History: Nov. 23
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On this day in Grunge Music History, we remember the great music that was created on November 23. From Nirvana’s classic album Nevermind to Pearl Jam’s Ten, this day has given us some of the most iconic songs in the genre. So crank up your speakers and enjoy some of the best grunge music history has to offer!
Nov. 23 in Grunge Music History
On Nov. 23, 1992, Nirvana’s “Nevermind” was released, having been recorded in just two months. The album would go on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide and would catapult the band to the forefront of the grunge music scene. “Nevermind” would go on to change the face of music and would influence a generation of musicians.
Nirvana releases “Nevermind”
On this day in 1991, Nirvana released their sophomore album Nevermind, which would go on to revolutionize the grunge music scene and become one of the most iconic albums of all time. The album catapulted Nirvana into the mainstream, thanks to its lead single “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” which remains one of the most popular songs of all time. Nevermind would go on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide and cement Nirvana as one of the greatest rock bands of all time.
Pearl Jam releases “Ten”
On this day in 1991, Pearl Jam released their debut album Ten. The album was a huge success, reaching #2 on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over 13 million copies in the United States. It remains one of the best-selling albums of all time.
Ten features some of Pearl Jam’s best-known songs, including “Alive,” “Even Flow,” and “Jeremy.” The album was recorded during a difficult time for the band, as their original drummer, Matt Cameron, had left during the recording process and was replaced by Dave Abbruzzese. Despite these challenges, Ten is considered to be one of the greatest albums of all time.
Soundgarden releases “Badmotorfinger”
On this day in 1991, Soundgarden released its third studio album, Badmotorfinger. It was the band’s first album to be nominated for a Grammy Award and features the singles “Outshined” and “Rusty Cage.”
Nirvana’s “Nevermind”
On Nov. 23, 1991, Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, and Dave Grohl of Nirvana released their major label debut album “Nevermind.” The album was produced by Butch Vig and features the singles “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” “Come As You Are,” and “Lithium.” “Nevermind” went on to become one of the most influential albums of the 1990s and cement Nirvana as one of the biggest bands of the decade.
The album’s success
Nirvana’s “Nevermind” was released on this day in 1991. The album was an instant success, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart and selling over 300,000 copies in its first week. It would go on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide. “Nevermind” also popularized the genre of grunge music and made Nirvana one of the most successful bands of the 1990s.
The album’s singles
Nirvana’s “Nevermind” album was released on September 24, 1991. It was the band’s second album, and it would go on to become one of the most influential albums of the 1990s. The album was recorded in just six weeks, and it quickly rose to the top of the charts. The first single from the album, “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” became a massive hit, and the album went on to sell more than 30 million copies worldwide.
Pearl Jam’s “Ten”
On Nov. 23, 1991, Pearl Jam released their debut album, “Ten.” The album, which features hits like “Alive,” “Jeremy,” and “Even Flow,” would go on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time. “Ten” would help launch the grunge music genre into the mainstream and Pearl Jam would become one of the biggest bands in the world.
The album’s success
Ten was a commercial and critical breakthrough for Pearl Jam, becoming the band’s first album to reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart. By late 1992, it had been certified platinum by the RIAA in the United States and had gone multi-platinum in countries such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Ten produced three hit singles—”Alive”, “Even Flow”, and “Jeremy”—that reached the top ten of the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
The album’s singles
Two singles were released from the album, both of which reached the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. “Alive” peaked at number 16, while “Even Flow” reached number two and stayed on the chart for a total of seven weeks. A third single, “Jeremy”, was released in 1992 and peaked at number five on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Soundgarden’s “Badmotorfinger”
On this day in 1991, Soundgarden released their third studio album, “Badmotorfinger.” The album was a commercial and critical success, reaching number seven on the Billboard 200 and selling over two million copies in the United States. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance. “Badmotorfinger” is considered to be one of the most influential albums of the grunge era.
The album’s success
With the success of “Badmotorfinger”, Soundgarden became a worldwide touring band, playing over 500 shows in 24 countries in just over two years. The album’s strong sales and airplay helped break the band into the mainstream, and “Rusty Cage” and “Outshined” became their first radio hits. “Rusty Cage” was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance.
The album’s singles
The album’s lead single “Rusty Cage” was released on October 28, 1991, with an accompanying music video directed by Stephen De Pont. The song charted at number nine on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number 24 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. A second single, “Outshined”, was released on February 10, 1992. The song peaked at number five on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number 11 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. A third single, “Slaves & Bulldozers”, was released on September 21, 1992.
