Category: People Near Nirvana

In terms of live shows, however, the picture changes even further in Dave Grohl’s favour. Dave put in a massive 207 shows compared to 165 in total for all Nirvana’s other drummers put together. Again, Chad Channing is second with 140 shows but then Dale Crover is in third with nine shows (one in 1988, eight in 1990) followed by Dave Foster with eight shows (a busy period belying his short tenure in the band.) Aaron only played seven shows in what was a very quiet 1987 while Dan Peters only played one:

Ask most people to name Nirvana’s drummer and they’ll come back with an enthusiastic “Dave Grohl!” (A.K.A. The Nicest Rock Star in the World.) As the band’s drummer on their two most popular studio albums (and on MTV Unplugged in New York) and the band member who has subsequently gone on to independent success in the music world, it’s understandable.

It’s interesting though to examine Nirvana’s drummers statistically, to understand further the contribution they made to the band’s career. The ‘Time in Band’ chart indicates length of tenure in the band commencing at the top in February 1987 then proceeding clockwise until April 1994.

Dave Grohl emerges the clear victor serving slightly longer than all Nirvana’s other drummers put together and the single longest tenure. Chad Channing, unsurprisingly is in second place but intriguingly it’s the overlooked figure of Aaron Burckhard in third.