Digging Holes

Background:

Courtney Love is one of the most familiar females in the music industry. She was once married to Kurt Cobain, rock legend from the band Nirvana, and is recognized for her struggles in her personal life as well as within her successful band "Hole". She has experienced all the ups and downs to gain success and her efforts have paid off. Her multi-platinum record sales and appearance on the cover of Rolling Stone have helped her become one of the most controversial popular female singers around today. 

Rumors about drug abuse followed Courtney and her husband Kurt. Child Protective Services investigated the couple after the birth of their daughter Frances Bean Cobain. Even after her husband's tragic suicidal death, Courtney is still often involved in reports regarding drug abuse. Courtney has been involved in some strange instances, including an air rage incident where she stripped down to her underwear and verbally abusive the cabin crew. A passenger stated, "She wasn't bothered at the thought of being arrested. As the plane landed she was taking her clothes off and singing loudly."

Since her husband's death, Courtney has been linked to rockers Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, Evan Dando of The Lemonheads, actor Edward Norton, and is currently close to music executive Jim Barber.

World Traveler

Childhood and Family:

Nee Love Michelle Harrison was born on July 9th, 1964, in San Francisco, California, to parents Linda Caroll, a well-known therapist and Hank Harrison, a publisher. When Courtney was just 3 years old, her parents left the U.S. for New Zealand. They left young Courtney in the care of a friend of her mothers. Courtney spent a great deal of time in her young life traveling with her family and living in hippie communes and schools in Europe and New Zealand. Courtney began to steal and at one time even stabbed a girl at school.

"The only people that liked me at this time were men: male teachers, male principals, male therapists. Kids hated me." Courtney Love

In 1984, Courtney received a trust fund from her grandmother and decided to do a little traveling on her own visiting places such as Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, and Liverpool.

In 1989, she married James Moreland but filed for divorce that same year. Early in 1992, Courtney married Kurt Cobain, lead singer of the band Nirvana. Out of control and abusing drugs, Cobain committed suicide with a shotgun blast to the head in 1994. From this marriage, Love welcomed daughter Frances Bean Cobain, born in 1992.

Controversy and Paths

Career:

Courtney returned to U.S. and began singing in music groups in the Bay Area. A movie director named Alex Cox spotted her and cast her in a minor role for the film Sid & Nancy, followed by a starring role in Straight To Hell. The films were not a commercial success.

Soon afterwards, Courtney moved to Minneapolis and joined an all-female band named Babes in Toyland, which then kicked her out. Jobless and having no money, Courtney tried stripping but no local clubs would hire her as she was considered to be "too fat."

In 1989 Courtney returned to LA and together with her friend Eric Erlandsen, formed the group "Hole." They released their debut album, Pretty On The Inside, in 1991. At first, they earned a lukewarm response even though their songs were being played on radio and music television stations around the U.S. and Canada

The eccentric Courtney Love and her band were noticed by some major record labels but with her marriage to Kurt Cobain Courtney's musical career took a back seat to being Cobain's wife.

Following her husband's death, Love released her new album, Live Through This. The album was a success and went platinum. Soon after the success, Love relived another death when Hole's bassist, Kristen Pfaff, died from a heroin overdose.

Courtney took acting up once again. She was cast in blockbuster movies such as Feeling Minnesota, The People vs. Larry Flynt and Man on the Moon, starring Jim Carrey. 

In 1998, the band Hole released "Celebrity Skin" which includes intense lyrics, rocking guitar riffs and their casual style. The album proved to be a successful one.

Courtney Love continues to shock her fans and it is unclear whether she will continue walking controversial paths or relax a bit and soak up the sun.

Awards:

• L.A. Outfest: Grand Jury Award - Outstanding Actress in a Feature Film, Julie Johnson, 2001
• Chicago Film Critics Association Awards: Most Promising Actress, The People Vs. Larry Flynt, 1997
• Golden Satellite Awards: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Drama, The People Vs. Larry Flynt, 1997
• Boston Society of Film Critics Awards: Best Supporting Actress, The People Vs. Larry Flynt, 1996
• New York Film Critics Circle Awards: Best Supporting Actress, The People Vs. Larry Flynt, 1996