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Kurt Cobain performing at Nirvana’s last Los Angeles concert in December 1993. The winged mannequin in the background, a stage prop on the In Utero tour, was part of Cobain’s obsession with anatomy. “I guess I secretly want to be a doctor or something,” he said that year.
Cobain drinking Evian at the Omni Hotel in New York in 1993. “At some point he started spitting out the water,” recalls Frohman. “He enjoyed having his picture taken while he was doing that. Like a little kid.”
Bassist Krist Novoselic, Cobain and drummer Dave Grohl at the Omni Hotel. “They had a nice energy together,” Frohman says. “They liked to laugh. They didn’t really care what they looked like and how they presented themselves.”
Pearl Jam performing as Mookie Blaylock at the Off Ramp in Seattle in 1991. “A lot of bands would play there,” says photographer Lance Mercer. “I was one of the few people running around with a camera.”
Vedder became notorious for climbing and hanging off the stage during performances. “That was actually a tame one compared to others,” Mercer recalls of their legendary Drop in the Park show in 1992.
Mercer, who toured with Pearl Jam as their official photographer from 1991 through 1995, witnessed the band achieve massive success. “That’s the moment where I realized what a big deal it was, because so many people were there,” he says.
Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready and Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell talking to Vedder backstage at Lollapalooza in 1992.
Pearl Jam performing at Wrigley Field in 2013. “Relationships with the musicians are important,” photographer Danny Clinch tells Rolling Stone. “They allow you access to what I call the ‘sweet spot’ behind the drum kit or amplifiers, so that I can grab the moment that shows the connection between the musicians, the audience and the venue, no matter how big or small.”
Rabin has seen Soundgarden more than a dozen times over the years. “I’m not sure if I can put my finger on why I’m so drawn to this photo,” he says of Cornell performing in Toronto in 2013. “It embodies a familiar feeling about that night that reminds me why I love Soundgarden.”
Mike Starr, Layne Staley, Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney (left to right) of Alice in Chains in 1990. “The vibe of Seattle at this time was much like a family,” says Blair. “Put it this way: Cantrell used to sleep on my couch.”
Courtney Love on a smoke break during a recording session.