I agree with this. I love Pearl Jam and STP, just can't get into Nirvana.

So basically its not just their music but also that they helped bring back rock n' roll that people like them?

its just different taste, i can ask whats so good about the Rolling Stones  and NiN because i don't like them.

That's fair. I guess in that sense its a stupid question asking "whats so good about nirvana". The question I was trying to have answered (and how I should have phrased it) is more like "why are Nirvana considered one of the best bands" or something like that.

In that regard, it's no different than The Beatles introducing various forms of layered music and off-kilter musical styles in their later years. They brought something new that people have imitated for years. Now I don't think Nirvana is anywhere close to as important as The Beatles, but they both brought new sounds to the public that still resonate today.

That's because they didn't do grunge. Listen to Alice in Chains, Treepeople, Paw, Stone Temple Pilots and Seaweed to hear what grunge sounds like.

i mean, I wouldn't consider the beatles or the rolling stones one of the best bands either it's all opinion... I love nirvana and the beatles though not my favorite. But then again I liked Plastic Ono Band better than any beatles album. van dyke parks did more innovative things than either of those bands did and I'm sure someone else did more innovative things than him.

NIrvana realesed one of my favorite albums ever... in utero, that's why i consider them great... ya only need one album!

 I mean if you're going to dissect, grunge is just a combination of genre's... with really hazy lines. I mean nirvana's sound definately falls somewhere in between... alice in chains,  STP, meatpuppets, mudhoney, or soundgarden. Which are all called grunge bands just like Nirvana is.

But, I wouldn't say grunge bands try to emulate nirvana's sound more like imo crappy post-grunge bands like... puddle of mudd, and staind or whatever... etc

I dont really get the question that well, theres not a proper reason why i think nirvanas great, i just like there music.

But i get what u mean about them only ever having 3 studio albums and still being so successful

Well, in my opinion, I don't see why the Beatles are "so great", and don't give me the influence bullshit. I think The Beatles are the most overrated band that ever existed. And no, I don't care that your mom liked them, or your dad, or anyone. I don't like them.

As for "Not making it past the 90's" Um... Post-Grunge? , Foo Fighters, Stone Temple Pilots, Filter, Breaking Benjamin, and Nickelback are all Popular Post-Grunge bands. Foo Fighters is the drummer from Nirvana, and he's the Rhythm Guitarist and Lead Vocalist. (On the first album, he did everything). So... Grunge's influence is very alive.

Btw, Alice In Chains (Grunge band) is back together (with a new vocalist). I don't necessarily like the new work, but it's Grunge, and it's in this decade... so... yeah...

And don't forget Kurt Cobain, he was a drug fueled beast on stage, the coolest shit back in the day.

I miss Nirvana...