Full interview: Dave Grohl on Nirvana’s success, his musical awakening and stories from the road

Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters founder and frontman Dave Grohl has been busy off-stage writing a collection of stories of musical moments from his stellar career. (Subscribe: bit.ly/C4_News_Subscribe)
His new book 'The Storyteller' recounts his early years touring with the band Scream and then his experiences when Nirvana were at the peak of their fame.
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[@th1agu]

I don't care about the subject, i just love hearing Dave talking.

[@gustavberming]

I, in Sweden, totally agree! He changes a perhaps not interesting subject to something super interesting!

[@Pechblosm7]

Same! My favorite celebrity, not just musician

[@leximarquez237]

Me too.

[@erinheer7178]

His book, the Audio version.... is my happy place ❤

[@huecosenvezdeojos]

Same, but also his stories are very interesting. He's just cool asf

[@Errcyco]

I’m not a big fan of his music post Nirvana. But! No one can deny how kind he is. He gave Pat happiness and purpose, same with Tyler. He loves kids and always gives them their dreams by having them play onstage or hospital visits. I don’t think there is a bad bone in his body.. he’s just a great guy. Always happy, always positive. We are lucky to have such a person in a position like that. Go Dave!!

[@fitta74]

Wondering if William Goldsmith thinks the same

[@itsMrNoble]

@@fitta74 DEFINITELY NOT

[@lynnwright3993]

Mark: I agree...except I LOVE his work with Foo Fighters! :-)

[@lynnwright3993]

@@fitta74 - That incident seems to be a "one off", based on everything else we've seen from/about him.

[@drewa1999]

Who is Tyler?

[@VonArx_]

don’t think he’s ever had an interview where the interviewer didn’t ask him about nirvana lol bless

[@michaelmcdonald8452]

A, that isn’t at all true, they went years and years without bringing it up, he’s said as much but B, why is it wrong to ask him about Nirvana ?

[@VonArx_]

@@michaelmcdonald8452 never said it was wrong to ask him about nirvana it was a joke mate

[@GR_BackingTracks]

I've heard nearly every Dave story, and I'm here for another go-around.

[@halfdollar86]

I’m in the process of hearing them all. Such a cool dude. He feels like a friend although I will never meet him in my life.

[@fenderek666]

Impossible not to like this guy. I was never a huge Foo Fighters fan, but... they CLEARLY have fun and that does seem to be contagious. And how not to love a guy who breaks a leg and finishes the show?

[@mountcomfort740]

Right and his first worry was we only played 3 song for all these people

[@ashleykelly1445]

The only bad part of this was that it ended!! One of the best interviews with Dave!!

[@maxted8168]

“All I needed was four chords and the truth” is such an amazing way to summarize the artistic process.

[@clarelean3501]

Dave is just such a cool, genuine bloke, what a breath of fresh air

[@deranged_nubreed]

daves interviews are always awesome i really wish pat smear would do some podcasts or interviews

[@jordancoulson82]

Pat isn’t that type of person

[@kitjasabsgabs1830]

He's shy for being in Germs. Nirvana and Foo.

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

This is national Dave week in the U.K. he’s been everywhere, and I’m happy about that.

[@melorgomolox6828]

Dave's memory process is just like mine. I've never heard anyone else have that link to music memory

[@ashleykelly1445]

Same! I remember what I was wearing when I purchased a record when I was a kid!

[@melorgomolox6828]

@@ashleykelly1445 smell memory is crazy too! like hearing a song and being into burning incense- so when i smell that incense or hear that song i link them together! brains R c00l haha

[@IrishCat04]

same for me...music and movies

[@liz8549]

I’m the same way! Smells and sounds bring me back to certain times in my life. I can remember what I was doing, how I was feeling etc. It’s awesome knowing I’m not the only person out there who has a memory like that

[@rknbassrobin]

Same here!!!

[@DanielGarcia1980]

I love the "there shouldn't be guilt in pleasure" bit. I'm with you Dave, I LOVE LOVE ABBA, and I'm not afraid to admit it. I can listen to SLAYER and ABBA in the same sitting.

[@astrozombie548]

Dave you are one of the best drummers in the world!! Your drumming in Nirvana is impeccable!!.. 🤘

[@juderichards6588]

13:41 I can feel what Dave felt at that moment

[@jamescheaye927]

Just sick of it, but it’s the task

[@JustinEpperly]

Well this was a rad interview to stumble across...RIP Kurt and rock on Dave

[@afoolsjourney4444]

This man’s music and story’s saved me many times .. I’m the same age as Dave .. he is magical to me

[@leximarquez237]

He's so genuine.

[@ashleykelly1445]

I love what Dave said about guilty pleasures, rather not having them.

[@reneeo.2739]

Completely agree! I'm taking this philosophy with me from now on!

[@pedrohenriquedasilva8657]

Davi is an incredible guy, he doesn't look like a super star, he's special.

[@angelosarmiento9511]

Is this the interviewer that Robert Downy Jr. and Quentin Tarantino walked out on ?

[@duanekogut757]

Yes, yes it is

[@reefk8876]

That smug mug and condescending voice. Hard to forget

[@sewingbugs2235]

"All I needed was four chords and the truth" Dave Grohl

[@pieterjansenvanrensburg7322]

Kurt’s image had a lot to do with their success too. He stood out from the crowd

[@SN2903]

100%

[@bobcuddington1601]

The best thing any musician can do is being original and true to themselves

[@red149]

Kurt’s image has a lot to do with his suicide .

[@itsMrNoble]

Your image had a lot to do with their success, mate, if anyones did…

[@sonjapatriciaquarta]

I confess I am a little addicted to "Doctor Dave" 😀 His interveiws make me laugh when I should be crying and he helps me embrace my craziness. Such a comfort to know it IS ok to be a bit crazy 😅

[@boudicca7181]

so genuine.

[@BrianRussell37]

Listening to Dave talk about loosing a friend and then disucssing his friendship with Paul McCartney, in another interview, I realized how Dave and Paul share pain in loss of someone to gun violence. I wonder if they talk about this?

[@anthonytimms4549]

Both been in bands that defined an era. Both had careers afterward that may not be remembered as they should. Both lost bandmates/friends in tragic circumstances. Very similar careers

[@user-qh4dr1vy9d]

I agree, it would be much better if they had used swords instead

[@edcoad4930]

Nirvana is the reason i learned to play guitar leftie after playing right for 5 years. The Foo Fighters are the reason I listen to music every day.

[@1275karie]

I have always done this with memories. It’s so cool to hear that someone else also does this. I thought it was just me being weird.

[@wdzimmer2987]

Legacy Legacy Legacy! Love the way Dave confronts the issue with guile, intellect, and percussive thunder. You have my vote, that is, if I had one.

[@semmcstevenson]

Dave is finally talking about his life and career.

[@goesjem]

Great interview and maybe the first one I have seen or heard where Dave did not swear once haha. The interviewer did though. Dave on his best behaviour for us Brits lol.

[@julianterris]

The Foo Fighters are the biggest turnaround story in Rock & Roll.

[@krisfrederick5001]

The B-52's were one of the first bands that I ever saw at Pine Knob just outside of Detroit as a kid. Their Vocals were absolutely hypnotizing

[@onelifeonechance1987]

Dte 🤣

[@garse70]

B52’s first 3 albums and The Mesopotamia EP are part of the soundtrack to my youth.

[@krisfrederick5001]

@@onelifeonechance1987 It will ALWAYS be Pine Knob

[@onelifeonechance1987]

@@krisfrederick5001 yeah buddy!

[@sodem2810]

I’d like to hear him interviewed by someone like James O’Brien so we could listen to an engaging conversion rather than a series of questions fired off one after another with no deviation.

[@elizabethmckenna5397]

I just love Dave Grohl. He is a Storyteller.

[@Chrobotka]

I think Kurts personility and his aura has a lot to do with the sucsess because teenagers could identify with his struggles... he was honest and cool and very kind person... thats why everybody loved him so much

[@CasteloBrancoG]

dave grohl is going down as one of the best artists of all time thats just a no brainer

[@emlameyer]

lol, that's a joke right?

[@wulf5247]

Well certainly one of the most influential.

[@austin3935]

@@emlameyer yeah a joke like you

[@steviesteakbakes9643]

@@emlameyer Not as much of a joke as ‘Fade’, right?

[@Raptormonkey]

Big joke funny funny ha ha

[@theresaheyer537]

i just love Dave,he's such a light in the dark!!!thanks!

[@gemee1]

Dave Grohl is a national,.....no,...world treasure. Why do we never fully appreciate a man until after they die?This man is very special. Let's savor him now.

[@tylurmackinnon6217]

His band sucks. He wrote terrible songs. Can’t sing. He was best as a drummer.

[@PaulWildstar]

Cool Interview

[@AbdulSalam-ek3vj]

Great story teller he is

[@IrishCat04]

the book i an absolute gem...vividly recommend it to all

[@chickeastwater9883]

"When i recorded Albums & hear then on the Radio ,, I remember what Studio I was in ,,,"

[@steeleyboy4594]

Everyone commenting about Krishnan being a bad interviewer (mainly americans that dont know who he is lol) but i think my man is just a really big Dave Grohl fan, seems like his having the time of his life lol! (which considering he usually interviews politicians etc he probably is). Big up ol Guru Murthy, my g.

[@Marleystrummer]

Dave is one of those "Rock Gods" that any music fan could just have a conversation with and feel so "normal" The punk rock ethos is heavily ingrained in him and I love that 🤘

[@markchaves6946]

the living legend always so humble

[@youareweirdforreadingthis]

Dave Grohl sounds like the most enjoyable celebrity to be around

[@emily-tg8wk]

Dave gives like two really earnest replies in this and the interviewer just completely moves on without really commenting

[@larashearman5358]

Rubbish interviewer. I don't know how Dave Grohl gives such detailed articulate answers to such nothing questions

[@beastieboy9286]

He’s a very cold interviewer and he’s definitely not into music should see him interview Mark E smith hahaha

[@beastieboy9286]

I respect Dave I love him but i also feel like he takes no risk anymore and sticks to a formula now since the best of you all the songs sound samey ever since he needs to go back to his roots with a new perspective now he’s at that stage now where he doesn’t have to make commercial compromises anymore because millions will still tune in. Kurt did it with in Utero compromised nevermind to get to real stuff hold no punches!

[@dansimonson3716]

I totally get this, I was a punker who hated the studio nirva album, but now regret it

[@escaton74]

I like when he doesn't overdo this lion curly thing. here his hair looks like the Nirvana days

[@BrettSmithDaniels]

I really felt this book spoke to me. I was experiencing trauma flashbacks when I listened to it, and it literally saved my life hearing something so relatable from such a down to earth man who’s clearly had a hard life himself. It ain’t easy being Dave Grohl but look at how he carry’s himself in spite of that. Genuine working class hero!

[@maribelcastaman302]

Amazing Book!

[@mr.logicpants2835]

I think the best explanation for Dave's outlook on music is just that good music is what you think is good music. In the same way that at the end of the movie "Gone in 60 seconds" the detective says 'a brothers love is a brothers love'. A brother would do anything for his brother no matter what. I love The Foo Fighters but mostly listen to Metallica and other metal music. But I like some Air supply and Bee gees songs too. Why? Because they are good songs that make me feel good when I listen to them. If you can't deal with that then that's too bad for you...

[@daviddryden8088]

Funny about learning to play drums with pillows. For drummers that are born to be drummers that's how most of us learned. I used different sized books when I was 4 years old. I vaguely remember learning Downtown by Petula Clark. I think I used pencils for sticks.

[@shanej.schmitt905]

Thank you David Grohl for this interview and the great perspective that you give on the Paradox of Success and life in American Culture...

[@gyaltenjigdrel6521]

Let's also give martin a heads up for his kind approach to his guest.

[@Jubejabba]

Well articulated as always, love u Dave

[@shawnwhite2120]

Foo Fighters looks like the most fun thing in the world that is legal was the best thing the interviewer said

[@duzzyclayton5821]

I like his views on 'selling out'

[@user-ig3il5xt2i]

Auditory recall I have it as well

[@carly5950]

Serious face Love rock and Grohl x

[@lehighstar474]

I am a drummer and I grew up very similar to this man...love ya dave.....by the way..my name is dave as well....very similar to you..would love to meet you someday

[@cjthefineartist]

When an artist love what they do, especially when they create with friends, it’s a kindredness of a soul family. I hope that the music continues with more passion in honor of them. Play for them. I met little Richard, he was on a balcony on Sunset, me and some friends were coming from an audition. Next thing you know we were in his room ordering up food from room service. It was surreal.

[@normplatt7549]

Far out and groovey! Peace/Love

[@thewenik6876]

Good guy, all around.

[@TrollingForTrouserTrout]

Well Dave as a nirvana fan I definitely think your the greatest drummer in the world

[@Lacy_Griffin]

I can’t believe this interviewer still has a job

[@steeleyboy4594]

That 'interviewer' is a legendary news presenter bro ahahaha, lemme guess, you must be from 'merica 🙄

[@anthonytimms4549]

He did good, like the fact he let Dave talk, not interrupting him

[@gagsnavarro8262]

why wouldn't he?

[@mattpunx]

the thing about the "sell out" matter isn't exactly based on how popular you and your music gets, cause the greatest thing about creating music and putting it out there is that it makes it's way to connect the biggest amount of people it can. That's the most beautiful part of creating something artistic. The problem begins when that "fame" or "popularity" drives you away from your "regular person as everyone else" and gets you into this world, mentality, and behaviour of the "rock stars". That point when your music starts to get more related to a commercial and money making input than the solely nature of creating something real, tangible, and pure from the human spirit. That point when you get absorbed by an industry, and fame, and making a big fortune, as a surreal world that changes you, your humble origin, and the escense of a real person you are and you were when you wrote that music. Use the term "sell out" comming from punk culture means you let the industry and it's "anti-values" changed you, and your music, and mostly the money and capitalism we reject, as what we do is based into being human and see all people as equals, as we don't believe in "social classes" or "god like humans" or most of the social order of things we have under this system, and in somehow it seemed to be in part something that affected Kurt the most of his musical success personaly. Although i don't think they actually sold out, since their music never was affected by selling records or conform the masses. And at the same time, even though they shared the punk scene, they never held our ideas in that deep way, but yes the core part of punk that is the most true and important part. They never claim to be actual punks technically, or not as it's fullest form, so our way of seeing things wasn't totally applicable to them. Did Nirvana sell out? I don't think so. It remained true till the day Kurt left the earth. Even having a huge house and money didn't change the escense of what he was. And doesn't seem to changed Dave either as he remains to be a very humble person and musician.

[@TONYTINTON]

Eclectics Dave. All frequencies excepted.

[@keithbeck2300]

Dave Grohl is arguably one of the best drummers in rock history. To me, he factors into the top 10 at any rate. The John Bonham influence is obvious, listen to Nirvana's School . My only complaint regarding Dave Grohl is he is not playing the drums! Foo Fighters are awesome with great songs and Taylor Hawkins is an awesome drummer as well. But Dave Grohl has that animal attack, like a young Keith Moon or John Bonham. Dave, can you play the drums more please?

[@erinheer7178]

I miss when him & Taylor would switch spots- that was Ace!

[@chrisdropulich5902]

Legends

[@user-rf1do9yn9w]

I was me, I didn't have drums. I love Dave.

[@jamesgreen7330]

First of all thank you Dave grohl for all the great music you've given us and I just don't know what to say if I ever met you I probably say okay yeah that's it that's my life is is complete man you're you know you're on the top of my bucket list you totally honest with you I love everything that you do everything that you know the music what you represent who you are you're everybody's guy you're not just you know you can't touch me I'm just you know I'm no longer part of the human race you're a human being you're a good man your kids I can tell just love you your wife loves you your good person Dave thank you very much as a fan

[@babayaga8045]

The dave learned is how greats became great

[@ryanholmes3688]

But Here We Are, beautiful album, beautiful soul go check it out.

[@stevenarmstrong7575]

He asked when will Nirvana play live. They just did a performance at the LA Forum that took the roof off the place.

[@psyhotel4009]

the voice of Nikolai Petrovsky is most similar to Kurt (Best Friends Band group)

[@deanlynn857]

Legend always.

[@vanessapanek9959]

You like my album, Dave by The Beatles why it has a number one on there because of my birthday

[@johnhart2861]

“bring the noise” is how Tupac introduced Metallica for their Grammy back in the day

[@derrickperez7490]

Damn I relate alot to dave as a musician myself who plays by ear...and not feeling so alone cuz of other musicians my favorite band is incubus..but I love foo fighters Dave and Taylor..I'm still hurt by his passing I can't imagine how he feels. Hurts too much

[@supergrogg]

It must be really trying sometimes to be asked the same generic press junket questions over and over again and try to answer them like they are new and fresh every time. Dave is a black belt at this.

[@heavywavemusic]

the interviewer is the same one who got robert downey jr and quentin tarantino pissed off

[@joesikic6531]

Genuine ✌️

[@pieroduharterondon7377]

Rock Lobster is a rock gem!

[@Cloud007.]

I love Nirvana but it was 30years ago, and Dave was just in the band for a few years. Time to stop asking him the same old questions about Nirvana.

[@geephlips]

Umm, it’s the 30th anniversary of Nevermind. That’s why the interview happened.

[@Cloud007.]

@@geephlips Umm, look at any major interview with Dave in the last 30years. Nirvana nearly always comes up.

[@BoxOfCurryos]

People will never let it go, people don’t seem to move on that easy

[@TheStyleCurated]

God I love Dave

[@Mtscarlata24]

Who’s watching after Taylor Hawkins death

[@ronniekray3934]

Best drummer of all time nobody comes close

[@ShawnConrad-tw8du]

John Bonham. Even Dave himself would tell you that. Dave's up there though

[@guerillagorilla4423]

Nope.

[@lehighstar474]

My first band was Gothic/Punk with a female singer

[@mreuphoria2]

Australia needs the Foo

[@DZ-cf6sj]

28 years later, maybe we can move on from Nirvana questions? I'm willing to bet nobody has asked DG a question in the last 15 years he hasn't answered twice before.

[@christopherpoucher483]

This explains everything.... it called responsibility to much influence from songs that were ment to be fun..

[@tomasgonzalezdiaz413]

Is the interviewer the one that interviewed rdj?

[@whatsnews6790]

Weird hearing him saying about coming to the UK in summer… not going to happen anymore unfortunately. R.I.P Taylor

[@michaelfoster8267]

I want to know how he feels about the Netflix series Nirvava

[@hbhd308]

What series is this? Never heard of it

[@davemack6384]

@@hbhd308 there is none. it's a bullshit fantasy piece on youtube.

[@MariaLauraTerrone]

Amazing musician and amazing human being!

[@flyingwithsol]

Did they play Rock Lobster on SNL? I thought it was Private Idaho

[@thewedge8823]

haha this interviewer is a legend.. he doesn't give AF!!!

[@abrahamruiz8473]

If you haven’t seen his “interview” with Robert Downey Jr. During press for Avengers age of ultron, you should Lol same for Quentin Tarantino!

[@calvinkottwitz729]

This is the same interviewer that Robert Downey Jr walked out on

[@SuneTheMairn]

Dave Grohl is by far the one musician I would give the chance to go back in time and talk to anyone in history. The world can only be a better place from it.