Ongoing History Daily: The Cassette Tape that Birthed Nirvana

In 1983, Buzz Osborne seemed to be the only person in Aberdeen, Washington who could get his hands on certain cool new records.  He made a tape of the best stuff and would only play for those whom he felt deserved to hear this brand of punk. 

Buzz was also the first guy in town to form a punk band.  Their first gig was a free concert in the parking lot behind a grocery store.  They managed to plug into the store’s power supply and played for about 50 kids.  One of the kids in the crowd was Kurt Cobain.  He says he was blown away.  He instantly became a punk rocker. 

Afterward, he asked Buzz for a copy of that special cassette.  That act of kindness was the real beginning of Nirvana.