GUEST SPOT #17 - Mrs Grohl was my teacher/Nirvana - 'Heart-Shaped Box'

GUEST SPOT #17 - Mrs Grohl was my teacher/Nirvana - 'Heart-Shaped Box'

Close Encounters Dave Grohl Guest Spot Nirvana Tania

Nirvana - 'Heart-Shaped Box' (1993) Saturday Night Live rehearsal

We always remember the teachers that made an impression on us, as this weeks Guest Spot will tell. It comes from Tania, an old friend of mine during our school days in Saudi Arabia, we had some good times but we all eventually had to leave to further our studies. I went back to the UK where I was taught geography by Mr Thompson, a grubby man who constantly had dirt under his fingers and smelt of BO, we loved him. Whereas Tania went back to the US to be taught by Mrs Grohl she was cool, funny and her son was in a rock band.....uh, what? Mrs Grohl? Son in a rock band? Hang on a minute!

I was a Senior at Fairfax Highschool during the 1991-1992 school year. On the first day of school, my English teacher, asked each of the students to state our names and share something unique about ourselves to the class.  Once we all had all mumbled through our introductions, one of the students asked that our teacher do the same. She smiled, introduced herself as Virginia Grohl, and in her dry witted, clever manner, shared with us a few of her personal hobbies and interests. She then casually mentioned that her daughter was a marine biologist, and that her son was a drummer in a little known rock band in Seattle.

Student: "Oh yeah? Which one?"
Mrs. Grohl: "The band's name is Nirvana"
(silence)
Student: "Never heard of them"
Mrs. Grohl: "You will"


Weeks passed during the school year with more and more stories about Nirvana's activity through Mrs. Grohl. Her pride was subtle but unmistakable when asked about her son. When their first CD came out, a student brought it to class pointing to the cover, asking which band member was her son. "The handsome one", she said. We discussed the unique sound of their music, the pain in Cobain's voice, the raw talent of their drummer, and the brilliance of the lyrics.

Funny man, yes you at the back there, see me after class...oh, is that you Dave?

During a visit to Virginia from Seattle, Dave spent an afternoon in her classroom with us. Warm, sharp and funny as his mother, he sat in the back teasing Mrs. Grohl, while handing out kittens to any interested takers. We learned that he's a self taught musician, didn't care for lessons, so played by ear. A sarcastically funny, clever and outspoken person, it was clear to all of us that a genuine talent was among us. Shortly after his visit, Nirvana performed on Saturday Night Live; a rite of passage for emerging bands. Needless to say, that was the year Nirvana skyrocketed to fame. We all felt so lucky to have the unique experience of watching Nirvana emerge into global stardom through the eyes of Mrs. Grohl.

'territorial pissings' not a concern

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sfw Pada 21:52 3 Komentar

THURSDAY I'M IN LOVE! - Nirvana - 'Where Did You Sleep Last Night?'

THURSDAY I'M IN LOVE! - Nirvana - 'Where Did You Sleep Last Night?'

Breakups Flycasual Nirvana Recollection Collection What a Performance

Thursday I'm in Love..a chance for me to share some of my favourite tunes.

Nirvana - 'Where Did You Sleep Last Night?' (1993)

It's only appropriate to do a Nirvana post for the 20th anniversary release of the groundbreaking Nevermind (where did that time go). There are plenty of memorable moments to choose from, turning the volume up to 11 for 'Teen Spirit' at house parties and their legendary rendition of that song on Top of the Pops but I've gone for my personal favourite so bear with me.

This is a haunting song taken from Nirvana's live and unplugged album, unaware that it was originally an old blues song by Leadbelly. Even though the blues legend sounds really gutted, Kurt Cobain's rendition feels more heartfelt. It starts off calmly, though you can start to hear him spitting into the mic before the song ends in an explosion of raw emotion. Brutal.

Dave.....was that you?

I was fortunate enough to experience this very scenario a long while back as my girlfriend at the time unexpectedly failed to turn up at a family BBQ. Pretty sure it wasn't anything to do with the promise of my mexican three bean salad, I suspected foul play. Instead of contemplating the impending demise of my relationship, I thought it a brilliant opportunity to use this song in context and play it too her. That'll make her feel guilty when she eventually comes back to explain, I thought. It didn't work as I never got the chance, essential part of ones musical education I say.

Oh go on then....here's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' live on Top of the Pops back in 1991, check out the charts!!! I also bet the TOTP producers were in a bit of a mild panic when Kurt and gang got going.

Leadbelly - 'Where Did You Sleep Last Night?'

Gutted? Nevermind more Thursday tunes right here...
Or see more blinding performances here....

sfw Pada 21:08 7 Komentar