Guide Note

Dave Grohl is an American rock musician and multi-instrumentalist who has had a long and very successful career in two of the most influential bands in the world: Nirvana and the Foo Fighters.

After playing with the band Scream in Washington, DC, Grohl auditioned to be the replacement drummer in Nirvana before they recorded their second album. That album was Nevermind, a record that would sell millions of copies and help secure legendary statues for the band. Grohl worked on his own songwriting on the side, and when Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain committed suicide in 1994, he was left with no band and a stack of original songs that would kick start his next project: the Foo Fighters.

Grohl recorded almost all the instruments and vocals for what would become the Foo Fighters' self-titled debut, but soon recruited musicians to form the full band, including former Nirvana bandmate Pat Smear (who left the band after the second album) and eventually drummer Taylor Hawkins (previously with Alanis Morissette). With Grohl as the frontman this time around, The Foo Fighters became a rock music super-force of their own, with many hit songs such as "Everlong," "My Hero," and "Learn to Fly."

In addition to Nirvana and Foo Fighters, Grohl has lent his musical talents to several other groups, including Queens of the Stone Age and Tom Petty.

Fast Facts

1. Name: David Eric Grohl
2. Born: January 14, 1969
3. Hometown: Warren, Ohio
4. Bands: Scream, Nirvana, Foo Fighters
5. Recorded and toured with Queens of the Stone Age in 2001/2002
6. Cites John Bonham as greatest influence
7. Inducted Queen into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with Taylor Hawkins
8. Wrote "Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners" for two Australian miners who listened to Foo Fighters songs when trapped underground