Courtney Love, born 'Courtney Michelle Harrison' on July 9th 1964, is most infamously known for her dazzling role in the rock band 'Hole' she is also an accomplished actress and the infamous wife of the late Nirvana front-man Kurt Cobain. 

Courtney was born in San Francisco, California, USA, and is noteably  the daughter of Grateful Dead devotee Hank Harrison. 

Love had a complex early life, moving around various hippie communes with her mother, who was granted full custody of the young child after a difficult and messy divorce. In which Harrison was accused of having given his then three year old daughter LSD (Acid). An allegation he continues to deny.

Love travlled extensively as a teenager, passing some time happily in Liverpool. Incidentally my parents met her at a party in Liverpool during the time, little knowing who she would become.

Upon returning to the United States, Courtney auditioned for a role in Sid and Nancy, and gained the role of Nancy's friend.

Love joined Kat Bjelland in the band ' Babes in Toyland' in which Love played the bass, she was however kicked out of the band by Bjelland for not being serious enough about the music.

 In 1989 Courtney formed the band Hole. Which she claimed was a reference to the empty vaccum, or 'hole' we feel inside, a reference to her feelings of desperation. These feelings and thought are reflected eloquently in the powerfull lyrics of songs such as "Pretty on the Inside" and "babydoll" Her distinctive voice sets her instantly apart from the rest as having something special, something raw and genuine to offer.

Love met Kurt Cobain on January 12, 1990, in Portland’s Satyricon club. At this time, fame had hit neither one, and both were part of underground rock bands. 

After a brief courtship Love and Cobain married on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii, on February 24, 1992. Their first and only daughter Frances Bean was born six months later.  

Then,  On April 8, 1994, just four days before the release of  Live Through This, Hole's album. Kurt Cobain was found dead in his Seattle home. He had suffered a self inflicted gun shot wound to the head, and died instantly.

He left a suicide note containing a poignant and infamous quote, "it is better to burn out than fade away". 

Courtney's world was racked again when only two months later, her bassist, Kristen Pfaff died of a heroin overdose in her bath tub. 

A review of the Live Through This tour:

Courtney’s first appearance backstage certainly caught the attention. Swaying wildly and with lipstick smeared on her face, hands and, I think, her back, as well as on the collar of her dress, the singer would have drawn whistles of astonishment in Bedlam. After a brief word with supporters at the foot of the stage, she reeled away, knocking over a wastebin, and disappeared. Minutes later she was onstage giving a performance which verged on the heroic...Love steered her band through a set which dared you to pity either her recent history or that of the band...the band teetered on the edge of chaos, generating a tension which I cannot remember having felt before from any stage. 

In 1998, Hole released Celebrity Skin, the album was later given 4/5 stars by 'Rolling Stone' magazine. Who praised it's raw talent. 

But, things were to get worse, as Love descended into drug abuse, and was arrested for attempting to break into her boyfriends house. He didn't press charges, but Love tested posative for being under the influence of an illegal substance.

After an accidental overdose, Frances Bean, Love's daughter was taken into child protection, and sent to live with Cobain's mother. Love was distraught and began to have debt problems with fuelled her need for a distraction, which came in the form of cocaine.

Love's new album "Nobody's daughter" is due for release this year (2009) and has been eagerly awaited. Though certain tracks have been 'leaked' on to the internet.