Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Courtney Love
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Courtney Love made an impact.
Courtney Love is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actress prominent in the 1990s alternative and grunge scenes. She's best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the band Hole, formed in 1989. Noted for her unrestrained performances and confrontational lyrics, Love also gained significant media attention for her personal life, especially her marriage to Nirvana's Kurt Cobain. Her career has spanned four decades, marking her as a significant figure in music and pop culture.
1984: Briefly fronted Faith No More for TV appearance
In 1984, Courtney Love briefly fronted Faith No More for their first TV appearance, singing with a Siouxsie Sioux-style vocal. She also met Kat Bjelland at the Satyricon nightclub the same year.
June 1985: Move to San Francisco with Kat Bjelland
In June 1985, Courtney Love and Kat Bjelland moved to San Francisco to form the group the Pagan Babies, where they recruited bassist Jennifer Finch and drummer Janis Tanaka.
1985: Enrollment at San Francisco Art Institute
In 1985, Courtney Love enrolled at the San Francisco Art Institute to study film under experimental director George Kuchar and took experimental theater courses taught by Whoopi Goldberg.
1986: Supporting role in Sid and Nancy
In 1986, Courtney Love appeared in a supporting role in Alex Cox's film Sid and Nancy. This role was a notable step in her early acting career.
1987: Leading role in Straight to Hell
In 1987, Alex Cox cast Courtney Love in a leading role in his film Straight to Hell, a Spaghetti Western shot in Spain.
1988: Relocation to Los Angeles
At the end of 1988, Courtney Love taught herself to play guitar and relocated to Los Angeles, where she sought to start a band.
1988: Appearance in Ramones Music Video
In 1988, Courtney Love had a part in the Ramones music video for "I Wanna Be Sedated", appearing as a bride among dozens of party guests.
1988: Concert at the Orpheum
In 1988, Courtney Love performed at a concert at the Orpheum, called O-88, with Butthole Surfers, Cows & Bastards, Run Westy Run, and Babes in Toyland. After the concert, she left for Los Angeles with the intention of becoming famous.
November 1989: Hole plays first show
In November 1989, Hole played their first show at Raji's, a rock club in central Hollywood.
1989: Playing Rickenbacker 425
Between 1989 and 1991, Courtney Love primarily played a Rickenbacker 425 because she preferred the 3/4 neck, but she destroyed the guitar onstage at a 1991 concert opening for the Smashing Pumpkins.
1989: Formation of Hole
In 1989, Courtney Love formed the alternative rock band Hole, where she served as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist. This marked a significant milestone in her career, establishing her presence in the music scene.
April 1990: Release of "Retard Girl"
In April 1990, Hole released their debut single, "Retard Girl", through Sympathy for the Record Industry. The song was played by Rodney Bingenheimer on KROQ.
November 1990: Hole opens for Sonic Youth
In November 1990, Hole opened for Sonic Youth during their promotional tour for Goo at the Whisky a Go Go. This is where Love met Kim Gordon.
September 1991: Release of Pretty on the Inside
In September 1991, Hole's first studio album, Pretty on the Inside, was released on Caroline Records, produced by Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth.
October 1991: Review of Hole's First Album
In October 1991, Spin reviewed Hole's first album and noted Courtney Love's layering of harsh riffs with sophisticated musical arrangements.
1991: Destroying Rickenbacker
In 1991, Courtney Love destroyed her Rickenbacker 425 guitar onstage at a concert opening for the Smashing Pumpkins.
1991: Release of Pretty on the Inside
In 1991, Hole released their debut album, Pretty on the Inside, which was produced by Kim Gordon. The album received critical acclaim from the underground rock press.
1991: Importance of Lyrics
In a 1991 interview with Everett True, Courtney Love said that the important thing for her in songwriting is that the lyrics have to look good on the page and mean something.
1991: Diverse Genre Interests
In a 1991 interview with Flipside, Courtney Love expressed interest in both a grindcore band and a Raspberries-type pop band.
1991: Release of "Dicknail"
In early 1991, Hole released their second single, "Dicknail", through Sub Pop Records.
April 1993: Release of "Beautiful Son"
In April 1993, Hole released their fourth single, "Beautiful Son", after Love recorded a cover of "Over the Edge" for a Wipers tribute album during her pregnancy.
September 8, 1993: Performance at Rock Against Rape benefit
On September 8, 1993, Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain performed together at the Rock Against Rape benefit in Hollywood, performing acoustic duets of "Pennyroyal Tea" and "Where Did You Sleep Last Night". Love also performed electric versions of "Doll Parts" and "Miss World".
October 1993: Hole Records Live Through This
In October 1993, Hole recorded their second album, Live Through This, in Atlanta, featuring a new lineup with Kristen Pfaff and Patty Schemel.
1993: Love and Cobain perform at Rock Against Rape benefit
In 1993, Courtney Love and her husband Kurt Cobain performed an acoustic set together at the Rock Against Rape benefit in Los Angeles, which aimed to raise awareness and provide resources for victims of sexual abuse.
1993: Robert Hilburn comments on Love's stage banter
In 1993, music journalist Robert Hilburn commented on Courtney Love's stage banter, stating that it has "the natural feel of someone who is sharing her immediate feelings" and is not simply scripted.
August 26, 1994: Hole's Performance at Reading Festival
On August 26, 1994, Hole performed at the Reading Festival, marking Courtney Love's first public performance following Kurt Cobain's death. The performance was described as macabre, frightening, and inspirational.
1994: Release of Live Through This
In 1994, Hole released their second album, Live Through This. The album was met with critical accolades and achieved multi-platinum sales, marking a significant success for the band.
1994: Love comments on her "kinderwhore" image
In a 1994 interview, Courtney Love commented on her "kinderwhore" image, stating that she didn't create it to be more appealing, but as a form of irony, influenced by What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
April 1995: Live Through This Certified Platinum
In April 1995, Hole's album Live Through This was certified platinum, and Courtney Love was featured on Barbara Walters' 10 Most Fascinating People in 1995 due to the album's success and the publicity surrounding Cobain's suicide.
1995: Return to acting with The People vs. Larry Flynt
In 1995, Courtney Love returned to acting and earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for her performance as Althea Leasure in Miloš Forman's The People vs. Larry Flynt.
1995: Punk Association
In 1995, Courtney Love was associated with punk, but she stated that she was more influenced by new wave or post-punk.
1996: Performance in The People vs. Larry Flynt
In 1996, Courtney Love's performance as Althea Leasure in The People vs. Larry Flynt established her as a mainstream actress.
1996: Acting Roles and Rehab
In 1996, after Hole's world tour, Courtney Love returned to acting, taking small roles in Basquiat and Feeling Minnesota, and starring in The People vs. Larry Flynt. She also went through rehab and quit using heroin at the insistence of director Miloš Forman.
1997: Releases of Compilation Albums
In late 1997, Hole released the compilation albums My Body, the Hand Grenade and The First Session, both featuring previously recorded material.
September 1998: Release of Celebrity Skin
In September 1998, Hole released their third studio album, Celebrity Skin, which featured a power pop sound and was co-written by Billy Corgan. The album topped "Best of Year" lists and garnered Hole's only number-one single on the Modern Rock Tracks chart with the song "Celebrity Skin".
1998: Hole as a Pop Band
In 1998, Courtney Love stated that Hole had always been a pop band with a subtext of pop.
1998: Celebrity Skin nominated for Grammy Awards
In 1998, Hole's third album, Celebrity Skin, was nominated for three Grammy Awards, recognizing the band's work.
1999: Appearance in Man on the Moon
In 1999, Courtney Love appeared in the big-budget movie Man on the Moon, marking another role in her acting career.
1999: Orville H. Gibson Award and Acting Roles
In 1999, Courtney Love was awarded an Orville H. Gibson award for Best Female Rock Guitarist. She starred in Man on the Moon as Lynne Margulies.
1999: Touring and Concerns about Audience Treatment
In 1999, Hole toured with Marilyn Manson on the Beautiful Monsters Tour but dropped out after nine performances due to disagreements over production costs. Courtney Love expressed concerns about the sexualized treatment of teenage female audience members by Manson and Korn.
1999: Design of Vista Venus Guitar
In 1999, before the release of Celebrity Skin, Courtney Love and Fender designed a low-priced Squier brand guitar, the Vista Venus, which had a shape inspired by Mercury, Stratocaster, and Rickenbacker guitars.
2000: Love advocates for reform of the record industry
In 2000, Courtney Love publicly advocated for reform of the record industry in a personal letter published by Salon, criticizing how record companies make side deals.
2000: Role in Beat
In 2000, Courtney Love starred as Joan Vollmer in the film Beat alongside Kiefer Sutherland.
March 2001: Formation of "Bastard"
In March 2001, Courtney Love started a "punk rock femme supergroup" called Bastard, which included Patty Schemel, Louise Post from Veruca Salt, and Gina Crosley. Love expressed a desire to leave behind the grunge sound and create a new record.
September 2001: Post and Crosley Leave Bastard
In September 2001, Louise Post and Gina Crosley left the band Bastard, citing "unhealthy and unprofessional working conditions".
2001: Outstanding Actress Award at Outfest
In 2001, Courtney Love returned to film opposite Lili Taylor in Julie Johnson, winning an Outstanding Actress award at L.A.'s Outfest for her role.
May 2002: Hole Breakup Announced
In May 2002, Hole officially announced their breakup. This occurred amidst ongoing legal disputes with Universal Music Group regarding their record contract.
2002: Appearance in Trapped
In 2002, Courtney Love appeared in the big-budget movie Trapped, adding to her list of acting roles.
July 2003: Signing with Virgin Records
In July 2003, following the breakup of Hole, Courtney Love signed a recording contract with Virgin Records and began composing with Linda Perry. She then started recording her debut solo album, America's Sweetheart, in France.
February 2004: Release of America's Sweetheart
In February 2004, Virgin Records released Courtney Love's debut solo album, America's Sweetheart. The album received mixed reviews and sold fewer than 100,000 copies. Love later expressed regret over the record, attributing it to her drug problems at the time.
2004: Release of America's Sweetheart
In 2004, Courtney Love released her first solo album, America's Sweetheart, marking a new phase in her music career.
2004: Co-Writing Princess Ai
In 2004, amidst her legal troubles, Courtney Love co-wrote a semi-autobiographical manga, Princess Ai, with Stu Levy, illustrated by Misaho Kujiradou and Ai Yazawa. It was released in three volumes in the United States and Japan between 2004 and 2006.
2005: Writing "Loser Dust" in Rehab
During her time in rehab in 2005, Courtney Love wrote several songs, including an anti-cocaine song titled "Loser Dust".
2006: Lyrics Reflecting Rehab
After 2006, Nobody's Daughter lyrically reflected Courtney Love's past relationships and her struggle for sobriety, with the majority of its lyrics written while she was in rehab.
2006: Publishing Dirty Blonde and Recording How Dirty Girls Get Clean
In 2006, Courtney Love published her memoir, Dirty Blonde, and began recording her second solo album, How Dirty Girls Get Clean, collaborating again with Linda Perry and Billy Corgan.
2006: Publication of Dirty Blonde
In 2006, Courtney Love wrote a memoir titled Dirty Blonde, offering insights into her life and experiences.
2007: Audio Clips of "Samantha" Distributed
In 2007, incomplete audio clips of the song "Samantha", originating from an interview with NPR, were distributed on the internet.
June 2009: Announcement of Hole Reunion and New Album
In June 2009, NME published an article detailing Courtney Love's plan to reunite Hole and release a new album, Nobody's Daughter. Former guitarist Eric Erlandson disputed the reunion due to contractual issues.
2009: Carnegie Hall Performance with Gavin Friday
In 2009, Courtney Love introduced Gavin Friday of the Virgin Prunes at a Carnegie Hall event and performed a song with him.
March 2010: Release of "Skinny Little Bitch"
In March 2010, "Skinny Little Bitch" was released as the first single from Nobody's Daughter to promote the album.
April 27, 2010: Release of Nobody's Daughter
Nobody's Daughter was released worldwide as a Hole album on April 27, 2010. The album featured material written and recorded for Love's unfinished solo album, How Dirty Girls Get Clean.
2010: Playing Rickenbacker 360
During tours after the release of Nobody's Daughter post-2010, Courtney Love played a Rickenbacker 360 onstage.
2010: Release of Nobody's Daughter
In 2010, Courtney Love released Nobody's Daughter as a Hole album, but without the band's original lineup, marking a change in the band's composition.
2010: Critics note Love's one-liners
In 2010, critics noted that Courtney Love's onstage "one-liners [were] worthy of the Comedy Store."
May 2011: Love donates Cobain's vinyl records for auction
In May 2011, Courtney Love donated six of her husband Kurt Cobain's personal vinyl records for auction at Mariska Hargitay's Joyful Heart Foundation event, which supports victims of child abuse, rape, and domestic violence.
2011: Participation in Hit So Hard Documentary
In 2011, Courtney Love participated in Hit So Hard, a documentary chronicling bandmate Patty Schemel's time in Hole.
May 2012: Debut of Art Collection
In May 2012, Courtney Love debuted her art collection at Fred Torres Collaborations in New York titled "And She's Not Even Pretty", which contained over 40 drawings and paintings by Love.
2012: International Tour Promoting Nobody's Daughter
From 2010 into late 2012, Courtney Love and the band toured internationally to promote the album Nobody's Daughter. Pre-release shows in London and at South by Southwest received critical acclaim.
2012: Love participates in "An Evening with Women"
In 2012, Courtney Love participated with Linda Perry in the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center's "An Evening with Women" event, which raises money for food, shelter, and other services for homeless youth.
2012: Solo Performances
In late 2012, Courtney Love dropped the Hole name and started performing as a solo artist.
2013: Yves Saint Laurent Advertisement and North American Solo Tour
In 2013, Courtney Love appeared in advertisements for Yves Saint Laurent alongside Kim Gordon and Ariel Pink. She also completed a North American solo tour, which was dubbed a "greatest hits" tour.
2013: Collaboration on "Rat A Tat"
In 2013, Courtney Love co-wrote and contributed vocals on "Rat A Tat" from Fall Out Boy's album Save Rock and Roll, and she also appeared in the song's music video.
April 22, 2014: Debut of "You Know My Name"
On April 22, 2014, Courtney Love debuted the song "You Know My Name" on BBC Radio 6 to promote her tour of the United Kingdom.
May 1, 2014: Comments on Hole Reunion Possibility
On May 1, 2014, Courtney Love commented further on the possibility of Hole reuniting, saying, "I'm not going to commit to it happening, because we want an element of surprise. There's a lot of is to be dotted and ts to be crossed."
May 4, 2014: Release of "You Know My Name"/"Wedding Day" Double A-Side Single
On May 4, 2014, Courtney Love released "You Know My Name" as a double A-side single with the song "Wedding Day" on her own label Cherry Forever Records via Kobalt Label Services.
2014: Television Roles and Soundtrack Appearance
In 2014, Courtney Love had supporting roles in several television series, including Sons of Anarchy, Revenge, and Empire, where she had a recurring guest role. Her track "Walk Out on Me" was featured on the Empire: Original Soundtrack from Season 1 album, which topped the Billboard 200 chart.
2014: Release of Solo Singles
In 2014, Courtney Love released two solo singles, furthering her solo music career.
2014: Love admits to being a "shit guitar player"
In a 2014 interview, Courtney Love admitted to being a "shit guitar player", stating that while she can still write a song, her guitar playing sounds poor and she is no longer a dependable rhythm player.
January 2015: Starring in 'Kansas City Choir Boy'
In January 2015, Courtney Love starred in the New York City stage production Kansas City Choir Boy, a "pop opera" with Todd Almond. Her performance was praised for its bewitching stage presence.
June 2015: Opening for Lana Del Rey and Debuting 'Miss Narcissist'
In May and June 2015, Courtney Love opened for Lana Del Rey on her Endless Summer Tour for eight West Coast shows. During this period, she debuted her single "Miss Narcissist," released on Ghost Ramp, the independent label of Wavves.
2015: Acting roles in Sons of Anarchy and Empire
In 2015, Courtney Love returned to acting in the network series Sons of Anarchy and Empire, expanding her career in television.
January 2016: Clothing Line Collaboration
In January 2016, Courtney Love launched "Love, Courtney", a clothing line in collaboration with Sophia Amoruso, featuring 18 pieces reflecting her personal style.
November 2016: Filming 'A Midsummer's Nightmare' Pilot
In November 2016, Courtney Love began filming the pilot for A Midsummer's Nightmare, a Shakespeare anthology series adapted for Lifetime.
June 2017: Starring in 'Menendez: Blood Brothers'
In June 2017, Courtney Love starred as Kitty Menendez in Menendez: Blood Brothers, a biopic television film based on the lives of Lyle and Erik Menendez, which premiered on Lifetime.
March 2018: Appearance in Marilyn Manson's Music Video
In March 2018, Courtney Love appeared in the music video for Marilyn Manson's "Tattooed in Reverse."
August 18, 2019: Performance at Yola Día Festival
On August 18, 2019, Courtney Love performed a solo set at the Yola Día festival in Los Angeles, alongside Cat Power and Lykke Li.
November 21, 2019: Recording 'Mother' for 'The Turning' Soundtrack
On November 21, 2019, Courtney Love recorded the song "Mother," written and produced by Lawrence Rothman, for the soundtrack of the horror film The Turning (2020).
2021: Love launches From Her To Eternity initiative
In 2021, Courtney Love and Julie Panebianco launched From Her To Eternity, an initiative designed to collect and categorize a physical collection of related music materials that focus on and celebrate the contributions of women to popular music.
August 2022: Completion of Memoir 'The Girl with the Most Cake'
In August 2022, Courtney Love announced that she had completed her memoir, The Girl with the Most Cake, after writing it for nearly ten years.
2022: Unreleased Film Role
As of 2022, The Long Home, a film in which Courtney Love played a supporting role and which was filmed in 2015, remains unreleased.
2023: From Her to Eternity: The Women Who Photograph Music installation displayed
In Summer 2023, the first project of From Her to Eternity was a world-renowned female music photographers´ exhibition titled From Her to Eternity: The Women Who Photograph Music. The installation was displayed at the corner of S. Wabash Avenue and E. Eight Street in Chicago's South Loop.
November 15, 2024: Release of 'Petrichor' Featuring Love
On November 15, 2024, 070 Shake's studio album Petrichor was released, featuring Courtney Love as a guest vocalist on the track "Song to the Siren".
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