-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This press released was put on www.nirvanaclub.com - December 1st, 1999. Courtesy of Alex Proud & Proud Galleries. Not to be used on other websites without permission. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NIRVANA – A RETROSPECTIVE Presented with Levi's Support & Enthusiasm Biggest collection of Nirvana pictures provides unique British take on The Band of the 1990's. Over 100 Nirvana pictures taken by three of the UK's best music photographers – Martyn Goodacre, Steve Gullick and Stephen Sweet – will be exhibited together for the first time at Proud Galleries (24th November – 21st January). In what will be the UK's largest exhibition of Nirvana pictures, Nirvana – A Retrospective will provide a unique and detailed insight into the band that defined the music of the 1990s. Featuring some of the most famous pictures of Kurt Cobain alongside many shots of the band which have never been seen before, Nirvana – A Retrospective covers everything from the early Bleach performances in 1989, through the whirlwind months of 1991 when Nevermind took the world by storm, and on to their last US tour in late 1993. ------------------------------------------ Nirvana – the British perspective / story. ------------------------------------------ However, as all three photographers are keen to point out, Nirvana – A Retrospective is not an attempt to create a definitive photographic history of Nirvana, but rather their own unique and often personal insight into the band which was revealed through the pages of the British Music Press. "We were all press photographers working for NME and Melody Maker at the time" explains Steve Gullick. "For a variety of reasons such as their early popularity here, the British punk-rock heritage and the prolific publicity work of Anton Brookes, the British media got better access to Nirvana than anyone else did. "They just seemed to like us – and as a result they were very relaxed around us. This show is very much a reflection of that. It is very much the British take on Nirvana. ----------------------- Nirvana – The Pictures: ----------------------- The result is a fascinating collection of pictures, documenting every stage in the development of the band over the 89-93 period. * Bleach era photo – "The support band on what came to be known as the lamefest on December 3rd 1989. Hard, melodic, distant. A raging confidence in what they had, no one was better that night." – Stephen Sweet * Reading 91 photo – "The real excitement starts here; Nirvana stole the show; No one stayed in their tent." – Steve Gullick * Stockholm 92 – "Kurt told me of a kid who wanted his money back 'cos Nirvana sucked; there was a bad atmosphere; the band seemed tired of their success- we still had time for karaoke, though." – Steve Gullick * New York 93 – "I had the first brief hour of 20 exhausting hours of press for the band. When photographing I couldn't forget how long I had left- Kurt was giving me time checks. Still, the band were in a good mood. Few shots have come close for the mix of pressure and reward." – Stephen Sweet * Springfield Nov 93 – "They seemed happy and relaxed again, joined by Pat Smear on 2nd guitar. We just had a laugh, including a Queen party on the bus." – Steve Gullick -------------------------------------------------------------- Tribute to the life of Nirvana not to the death of Kurt Cobain -------------------------------------------------------------- However, while it is inevitable that many people will inextricably link the story of Nirvana with Cobain's eventual suicide, Gullick, Goodacre and Sweet are all keen not to overemphasise Cobain's death. "I'd rather not dwell on Kurt Cobain" concludes Gullick "I'm just a Nirvana fan. This show says that Nirvana were the best band of the 1990's. This is our photographic representation of them. It's a tribute to the best band of the 1990s." PLEASE PUBLISH THE FOLLOWING AT THE END OF ALL ARTICLES ON THE EXHIBITION, IT IS VITAL TO OUR CONTINUED SUPPORT BY SPONSORS!: "Nirvana- a Retrospective, presented with Levi's support and enthusiasm at Proud Galleries from 24th November until 21st January , 5 Buckingham St, off the Strand, London WC2N 6BP; telephone 0171 8394942; Mon-Fri, 10-6.30 and Sat-Sun, 11-6.30; £3 adults, £1.50 concessions.The book Nirvana: Winterlong is published by Vision – On at £15. Both the book and prints from the exhibition can be seen and purchased from proud.com/lastminute TIMES AND PRICES 24th November – 21st January Monday – Friday 10.00am – 6.30pm Entry £3, Concessions £2 Saturday & Sunday 11.00am – 6.30pm Photos start from £200 For further details, interviews, images etc: Alex Proud – 0171 839 4942 Editor's Notes The Book "Nirvana: Winterlong" will be published by Vision-On to coincide with the exhibition,£15. Martyn Goodacre: Martyn is still working for NME, having photographed everyone from Winnie Mandela and Liv Tyler to Helena Christensen and Fatboy Slim. Steve Gullick: Official photographer to Prodigy. 'Pop Book No.1' published Nov. 1995; currently working on follow-up. Still an NME contributor. Represented by Colin Browne @ Reaction. Stephen Sweet: Stephen works for Uncut and Melody Maker, currently compiling a book of music shots. He also works in theatre and travel photography. PROUD GALLERIES The exhibition will be showing at Proud Galleries – Britain's most popular private photographic gallery, with over 10,000 paying visitors to the Bob Marley Rebel exhibition. It follows two internationally acclaimed Dennis Morris shows – 'Rebel Life' (of Bob Marley) and 'Destroy' (of the Sex Pistols) and the i-D exhibition "Family: Future Positive". Customers include Liam Gallagher, Gavin Rossdale, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Charles Saatchi. Proud Galleries is dedicated to bringing the best subject orientated photography in the world to the widest possible audience. We aim to make our Gallery accessible and fun, every person who comes to an exhibition should leave telling their friends how much they enjoyed it. We not only wish to sell the prints to regular gallery attendee's, but also bring in thousands who will have never been to a Gallery before. The photography will always be the best in its field, be it pop music, fashion, sport or politics. Someone who is interested in the subject should leave in love with the standard of photography as much as someone who is interested in photography should leave fascinated by the subject.