Seven Ages of Rock - Left of the Dial: US Alternative Rock

The rock marathon continues with the story of the contrasting fates of two of America's biggest, most authentic bands: Nirvana and R.E.M. and the hidden links between them that almost saved the life of troubled Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain. In 1991, Nirvana's Nevermind album launched the 'grunge' explosion that put the Seattle music scene on the map and gave a voice to the alienated youth pushed to one side by the Reagan revolution. But Cobain was a reluctant idol who struggled to cope with his new status and his band's growing mainstream appeal. Nirvana had their roots in the underground and college music scene pioneered by bands like R.E.M and Pixies and this programme tells how R.E.M also ended up gravitating towards Seattle, where a friendship developed between lead singer Michael Stipe and Cobain.