Nirvana

Rock band from Aberdeen, Washington, USA, formed in 1987. Emerging from the Seattle grunge scene of the late 1980s/early 1990s, Nirvana was a power trio of musicians who brought a new aesthetic to the rock scene of the time. They had already released their debut LP "Bleach" with Sub Pop, but their 1991 major-label debut for DGC/Geffen Records, "Nevermind" broke the band and grunge into the mainstream of America. Singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain's death by suicide in April 1994 brought the band to an end.

The band's names in a chronological order:
Skid Row (6) (start (March 1987) - June 26, 1987)
Pen Cap Chew (2) (June 27, 1987 - August 8, 1987)
Bliss (108) (August 9, 1987 - January 1988)
Ted Ed Fred (January 1988 - March 18, 1988)
Nirvana (March 19, 1988 - end (April 5, 1994))

It was rumoured that there were two other short-used band names before Nirvana: Throat Oyster and Windowpane (no official proofs for it though)

Final line-up:
Kurt Cobain – lead guitar, lead vocals (March 1987 (start)–April 5, 1994 (end); died April 5, 1994)
Krist Novoselic – bass (March 1987 (start)–April 5, 1994 (end)), accordion (1993–1994)
Dave Grohl – drums, backing vocals (September 25, 1990–April 5, 1994 (end))

Former members:
Aaron Burckhard – drums (March 1987 (start)–October 1987)
Dale Crover – drums (December 1987–February 15, 1988, August 10, 1990–August 25, 1990), backing vocals (1988)
Dave Foster (14) – drums (February 16, 1988–May 24, 1988)
Chad Channing – drums (May 25, 1988–June 1990)
Jason Everman – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (February 5, 1989–July 19, 1989)
Dan Peters – drums (June 1990–August 1990, September 1990–September 24, 1990)

Touring musicians:
Robert Roth – guitar (August 1989) (*rehearsals only)
Ben Shepherd – guitar (September 26, 1989-September 28, 1989) (*soundcheck only)
John Duncan – guitar (July 15, 1993–July 31, 1993)
Lori Goldston – cello (July 15, 1993–January 8, 1994)
Pat Smear – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (September 23, 1993–April 5, 1994 (end))
Melora Creager – cello (February 5, 1994–April 5, 1994 (end))

Session musicians:
Mark Pickerel – drums (1989)
Kirk Canning – cello (1991)
Kera Schaley – cello (1993)

Live guest musicians:
Tony Poukkula – guitar (1987)
Ryan Aigner – guitar (1987) (also was the band's first manager)
Antony Hodgkinson (aka Dancing Tony) – dancing (1990, 1991, 1992)