History Music / CourtneyLove

After some bit parts in the late 1980s, she had a relatively successful period of acting in the mid-1990s to early 2000s, most notably in ''Film/ThePeopleVsLarryFlynt'', where she won quite a few awards and even managed to impress Creator/RogerEbert. Yes, she's perpetually name-droppy, but in reality, she's always seemed to be privy to a lot of insider information. When asked by Creator/NatashaLeggero in 2005 if she had advice for young girls moving to Hollywood, she responded, "If Harvey Weinstein invites you to a party at the Four Seasons, don't go." While the truth about Weinstein would eventually come out over a decade later, everyone laughed this off at the time -- "no big deal, Courtney's crazy!" -- and she was reportedly blacklisted by her talent agency. There also exists an interview with Creator/HowardStern where she hinted -- but fell far short of revealing too much -- about Music/DavidBowie's illness, which ultimately led to his death, before it was publicly known.

Love moved around a lot in TheEighties and was in various bands. At one point, she joined Music/FaithNoMore as a temporary vocalist, but was kicked out for (surprise) clashing too much with the other musicians. Along with guitarist Eric Erlandson, she started Hole in 1989, which has/had [[RevolvingDoorBand an alarming inability to hang onto drummers and bass players]]. With Hole, she made the following albums:

* {{UsefulNotes/Autism}}: Courtney was diagnosed with autism when she was nine. "Retard Girl" in particular talks about her experience getting rejected and bullied in school for being "weird".

* {{Autism}}: Courtney was diagnosed with autism when she was nine. "Retard Girl" in particular talks about her experience getting rejected and bullied in school for being "weird".

* {{Autism}}: Courtney was diagnosed with autism when she was nine. "Retard Girl" in particular talks about her experience getting rejected and bullied in school for being weird.

* {{Autism}}: Courtney was diagnosed with autism when she was nine. The song "Retard Girl" in particular talks about her experience being rejected and bullied in school for being "weird".
* AllLoveIsUnrequited: "Doll Parts", which Courtney wrote in 1991 when she feared this was going to be her fate with Kurt.

* {{Autism}}: Courtney was diagnosed with autism when she was nine.

* Creator/DrewBarrymore is the godmother of her and Cobain's daughter, Frances Bean Cobain. She's almost been called into active duty more than any 10 Army reservists combined.

# ''Music/CelebritySkin'' (1998), a more-accessible PowerPop album. Produced by [[Music/{{Soundgarden}} Michael Beinhorn]] and with some contributions by Billy Corgan of Music/TheSmashingPumpkins and Jordon Zadorozny of Blinker the Star. To prevent a repeat of what happened with ''Live Through This'', the album contained extensive liner notes and writer's credits just so people would know exactly who did what. Melissa Auf Der Maur played bass on the album (and quit in 1999 to join the Smashing Pumpkins after D'arcy Wretzky left the band), while Schemel controversially left during the sessions for unclear reasons and was replaced by a session drummer in the studio and Samantha Maloney for the tour.

In 2004, Love recorded a solo album, ''America's Sweetheart'' (2004). This was not as well-received as her Hole material, with the songwriting being criticized as weak and the production as overly commercial, and even she admitted that she was mostly out of it during recording. This album featured Music/EmilieAutumn, and launched her non-classical career. In 2009, Love revived Hole with an entirely new lineup, annoying Erlandson and Auf Der Maur, since they only learned about it from Love's announcement. (The latter was baffled by the announcement saying she would be the bassist.) This lineup (Love, Micko Larkin, Shawn Dailey and Stu Fisher) put out a new album, ''Nobody's Daughter'' (2010), which received very, very mixed reviews. Fisher left a year after the release, being replaced with Scott Lipps. Hole disbanded a second time in 2012, and Love is again a solo act, touring with people like Music/LanaDelRey.

After some bit parts in the late '80s, she had a relatively successful period of acting in the mid 90s to early 2000s, most notably in ''Film/ThePeopleVsLarryFlynt'', where she won quite a few awards and even managed to impress Creator/RogerEbert. Yes, she's perpetually name-droppy, but in reality, she's always seemed to be privy to a lot of insider information. When asked by Creator/NatashaLeggero in 2005 if she had advice for young girls moving to Hollywood, she responded, "If Harvey Weinstein invites you to a party at the Four Seasons, don't go." While the truth about Weinstein would eventually come out, everyone laughed this off at the time -- "no big deal, Courtney’s crazy!" -- and she was reportedly blacklisted by her talent agency. There also exists an interview with Creator/HowardStern where she hinted -- but fell far short of revealing too much -- about Music/DavidBowie's illness.

# ''Music/CelebritySkin'' (1998), a more-accessible PowerPop album. Produced by [[Music/{{Soundgarden}} Michael Beinhorn]] and with some contributions by [[Music/TheSmashingPumpkins Billy Corgan]] and Jordon Zadorozny of Blinker the Star. To prevent a repeat of what happened with ''Live Through This'', the album contained extensive liner notes and writer's credits just so people would know exactly who did what. Melissa Auf Der Maur played bass on the album (and quit in 1999 to join the Smashing Pumpkins after D'arcy Wretzky left the band), while Schemel controversially left during the sessions for unclear reasons and was replaced by a session drummer in the studio and Samantha Maloney for the tour.

** In the 80's, she served as the frontwoman for Music/FaithNoMore for a short period (sacked when her domineering personality was apparent even then). Her replacement turned out to be so bad that a magazine commented on the band's "internal warfare".

Courtney Michelle Love (born Courtney Michelle Harrison; July 9, 1964 in San Francisco, California) is the frontwoman of early 90s {{grunge}} band Music/{{Hole}} and widow of Music/KurtCobain.

She moved around a lot in TheEighties and was in various bands. At one point she joined Music/FaithNoMore as a temporary vocalist, but was kicked out for (surprise) clashing too much with the other musicians. Along with guitarist Eric Erlandson, she started Hole in 1989, which has/had [[RevolvingDoorBand an alarming inability to hang onto drummers and bass players]]. With Hole she made the following albums:

# ''Music/LiveThroughThis'' (1994), a more obviously {{Grunge}} album produced by Sean Slade and Paul Kolderie (previously producers for Music/{{Radiohead}}'s ''Pablo Honey''). It became their most successful album, but Cobain's contributions were uncredited, which brought about rumors that it was ghostwritten by Kurt Cobain. (Kurt contributed nearly-inaudible backing vocals to "Asking for It" and "Softer, Softest".) For this album, Emery and Rue were replaced by Kristen Pfaff (who died of an accidental overdose two months after the album's release) and Patty Schemel.

# ''Music/CelebritySkin'' (1998), a more-accessible PowerPop album. Produced by [[Music/{{Soundgarden}} Michael Beinhorn]] and with some contributions by [[Music/TheSmashingPumpkins Billy Corgan]] and Jordon Zadorozny of Blinker the Star. To prevent a repeat of ''Live Through This'', the album contained extensive liner notes and writer's credits just so people would know exactly who did what. Melissa Auf Der Maur played bass on the album (and quit in 1999 to join the Smashing Pumpkins after D'arcy Wretzky left the band), while Schemel controversially left during the sessions for unclear reasons and was replaced by a session drummer in the studio and Samantha Maloney for the tour.

Love disbanded Hole circa 2002 after a period of inactivity, and became more known for erratic behavior and insulting other [[AlternativeRock alt-rock]] musicians than her music. She did not endear herself to Music/{{Nirvana}} fans by provoking a legal pissing match with Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic, delaying the release of the ''With the Lights Out'' box set for three years.

In 2004, Love recorded a solo album, ''America's Sweetheart'' (2004). This was not as well-received as her Hole material due to the weaker songwriting and overly commercial production, and even she admitted she was mostly out of it during recording. This album featured Music/EmilieAutumn, and launched her non-classical career. In 2009, she revived Hole with an entirely new lineup, annoying Erlandson and Auf Der Maur, since they only learned about it from Love's announcement. (The latter was baffled by the announcement saying she would be the bassist.) This lineup (Love, Micko Larkin, Shawn Dailey and Stu Fisher) put out a new album, ''Nobody's Daughter'' (2010). The album receives very, very mixed reviews. Fisher left a year after the release, being replaced with Scott Lipps. Hole disbanded a second time in 2012, and Love is again a solo act, touring with people like Music/LanaDelRey.

After some bit parts in the late 80s, she had a relatively successful period of acting in the mid 90s to early 2000s, most notably in ''Film/ThePeopleVsLarryFlynt'', where she won quite a few awards and even managed to impress Creator/RogerEbert. Yes, she's perpetually name-droppy, but in reality she's always seemed to be privy to a lot of insider information. "If Harvey Weinstein invites you to a party at the Four Seasons, don't go." Everyone laughed this off. No big deal, Courtney’s crazy! Then she got blacklisted by her talent agency.[[note]]There is also an interview with Howard Stern where she hinted--but fell far short of revealing too much--about David Bowie's illness.[[/note]]

More strange stuff:

* Love was in the music video for "I Wanna Be Sedated" by Music/TheRamones.
* Love is not just connected to Kurt Cobain, but four other members of the "27 Club": Music/TheGratefulDead's Pigpen [=McKernan=], Music/EchoAndTheBunnymen's Pete de Freitas, The Gits' Music/MiaZapata, and Kristen Pfaff.

* Creator/DrewBarrymore is the godmother of Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love's daughter, Frances Bean Cobain. She's almost been called into active duty more than any 10 Army reservists combined.

'''Discography:'''

* Love is not just connected to Kurt Cobain, but four other members of the "27 Club": Music/TheGratefulDead's Pigpen [=McKernan=], Music/EchoAndTheBunnymen's Pete de Freitas, The Gits' Mia Zapata, and Kristen Pfaff.

* ContraltoOfDanger: One of the most prominent examples in AlternativeRock, going between low and contemplative and loud and threatening.

* TheUnfairSex: Inverted. As noted above, Courtney Love got ''ravaged'' by critics and detractors for engaging in the same kind of Rock and Roll lifestyle and behaviors that is either excused or celebrated among male rock musicians. (IE being open about her drug use, flaunting her sexuality and being openly promiscuous, not being shy about exposing her body and performing either topless or otherwise scantily clad, crowd surfing in dresses, etc.)

* ActuallyPrettyFunny: She's got a quick wit and a pretty good sense of humor. One needs to look no further than the about sections of her social media profiles, where she refers to herself as a "Mickey Mouse Club" reject, "former erotic dancer" and "America's Sweetheart". Even a lot of her high-on antics are pretty funny, just try to get through a video of her infamous encounter with {{Music/Madonna}} at the 1995 MTV Music Awards without laughing.

* ArcWords: The word "milk" is repeated several times throughout ''Live Through This''.

* DroneOfDread: Pretty frequently. "Pretty on the Inside/Clouds" comes to mind, but it happens a lot.

* FootballFightSong: Invoked in "Be a Man."

* GriefSong: "Reasons to be Beautiful" and "Malibu", about her husband's death.

* ImageSong: "Letter to God".

* LiveAlbum: ''Grease Your Hips''

* MisogynySong: Things like "Baby Doll" and "Samantha" feel like this. Courtney has said the second one is [[SelfDeprecation about herself]] though.
* NewSoundAlbum / GenreShift: ''Celebrity Skin'' is much more pop than the {{Grunge}} ''Live Through This'' and the NoiseRock ''Pretty on the Inside''.
* TheOneGuy: Throughout the original incarnation of Hole, Eric Erlandson was the only male member.
* OnlySaneMan: Erlandson on the Music/LiveThroughThis line up of Hole, purely by default of being the only one who wasn't on heroin at the time.
* PrecisionFStrike: "I Think That I Would Die" is a a pretty slow and melancholy song, however it just makes the vitriol when she screams all the more powerful.
* RecordProducer: Rather influential for the album's overall sounds -- Kim Gordon and Don Fleming's work on ''Pretty on the Inside'' is more NoiseRock-oriented and harsh, Sean Slade and Paul Kolderie gave ''Live Through This'' a more straightforward {{Grunge}} sound, and Michael Beinhorn contributed to ''Celebrity Skin'''s more pop leanings.
** Beinhorn also counts as an '''Acrimony Producer''': in a retrospective documentary on ''Celebrity Skin'', Love called Beinhorn a "Nazi" and Schemel accused him of forcing her out of the band in favour of working with a session drummer.
* RevolvingDoorBand: The only constant members of Hole were Love and guitarist Eric Erlandson -- they cycled through drummers and bassists at a pretty fast rate (with the odd bandmate death, such as Kirsten Pfaff's heroin overdose). The recent reformation with an entirely-new lineup hasn't helped.
* RockStarSong:
** The original version of "Awful," which was several pages long, included things like this.
** In her solo album ''America's Sweetheart,'' "Mono" feels like this.
* SlutShaming: A major theme in "Teenage Whore" and to a lesser extent, "Dicknail".

* ToTheTuneOf: ''Pretty on the Inside'''s "Starbelly" borrows its riff from Music/NeilYoung's "Cinnamon Girl".

* CassandraTruth: She was warning people about Creator/HarveyWeinstein's abuse a full decade before credible accusations began to stick with him. And she was also early on speaking out against Music/BritneySpears' conservatorship.

Courtney Michelle Love (born Courtney Michelle Harrison; July 9, 1964 in San Francisco, California) is the frontwoman of early 90s {{grunge}} band Music/{{Hole} and widow of Music/KurtCobain.

Courtney Michelle Love (born Courtney Michelle Harrison; July 9, 1964 in San Francisco, California) is the frontwoman of early 90s {{grunge}} band Hole and widow of Music/KurtCobain.

She moved around a lot in TheEighties and was in various bands. At one point she joined Music/FaithNoMore as a temporary vocalist, but was kicked out for (surprise) clashing too much with the other musicians. Along with guitarist Eric Erlandson, she started Music/{{Hole}} in 1989, which has/had [[RevolvingDoorBand an alarming inability to hang onto drummers and bass players]]. With Hole she made the following albums:

She moved around a lot in TheEighties and was in various bands. At one point she joined Music/FaithNoMore as a temporary vocalist, but was kicked out for (surprise) clashing too much with the other musicians. Along with guitarist Eric Erlandson, she started [=Hole=] in 1989, which has/had [[RevolvingDoorBand an alarming inability to hang onto drummers and bass players]]. With Hole she made the following albums:

* MaleBandFemaleSinger: Averted with the classic line-ups of''Hole'' where the band members were all female except for Eric Erlandson, but played straight with her solo career having some backup groups made with male only.