Chad Channing, born on January 31, 1967, in Santa Rosa, California, is an American musician celebrated as the drummer for the rock band Nirvana from 1988 to 1990. During his time with the band, Channing contributed to their debut album, Bleach. He also appears on "Polly" from the acclaimed follow-up album, Nevermind.
Nirvana around 1990. Left to right: Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic and Chad Channing
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Channing was born to Wayne and Burnyce Channing. His father, a radio disc jockey, led the family to move frequently across the country for various job opportunities.
At the age of 13, an accident during gym class resulted in a shattered femur. The subsequent rehabilitation and surgeries led him to discover music. His parents bought him a bass guitar, which he used to fill his time while unable to attend school.
In 1985, Channing joined a band called Stonecrow with Jason Everman, who later became a guitarist for Nirvana. Everman and Channing had known each other since fifth grade and had played together in bands during high school.
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Joining Nirvana
Later, while working as a sauté cook on Bainbridge Island, Washington, Channing started the band Tick-Dolly-Row with Chris Karr, John Hurd and Ben Shepherd, who would later become the bassist for Soundgarden. Tick-Dolly-Row shared a bill with Nirvana, who at the time were going under the name Bliss. Not long after, a mutual friend introduced Channing to Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic, who were searching for a drummer.
In June 1988, shortly after Channing joined Nirvana, they recorded their first single, "Love Buzz," marking their debut on Sub Pop.
Nirvana - Love Buzz Single Cover
Dave Grohl Pays Tribute To Nirvana Drummer Chad Channing
Recording Bleach
Nirvana commenced recording sessions for Bleach on Christmas Eve 1988 and concluded them towards the end of January 1989. Everman contributed financially to the recording.
Bleach was officially released on June 15, 1989. Channing played drums on all tracks except "Floyd the Barber" and "Paper Cuts," which featured Dale Crover, the drummer from Melvins, from earlier sessions.
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Departure from Nirvana
In April 1990, Nirvana recorded eight songs at Smart Studios with producer Butch Vig for their second album. However, the sessions were interrupted when Cobain lost his voice.
Creative and artistic differences led to Channing's departure by mutual decision after their April-May 1990 tour. Subsequently, Nirvana used the Smart recordings as a demo to secure a contract with a major label. In late 1990, they re-recorded the tracks for a new studio album, recruiting Dave Grohl as their new drummer, who adopted many of Channing's drum parts.
Post-Nirvana Projects
After leaving Nirvana, Channing formed the Fire Ants, who released the Stripped EP on Dekema Records in 1992. The EP was produced by Jack Endino, who had also produced Bleach. The Fire Ants included Brian Wood (vocals) and Kevin Wood (guitars), brothers of the late Mother Love Bone singer Andrew Wood, and bassist Dan McDonald.
Channing stepped from behind the drum set to front his new project Before Cars, which released the single "Old Chair" in 2006. They released their debut album Walk Back in 2008, again produced by Jack Endino.
In 2024 he formed a duo called Can of Clouds with Justine Jeanotte.
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Legacy and Contributions
Due to Nirvana's enduring popularity, their older work continued to be released both during the band's active years and after their disbandment.
The 1992 compilation Incesticide featured the tracks "Dive", "Stain", and "Big Long Now", all crediting Channing as the drummer. Live versions of "Polly" and "Breed" that included Channing appeared on From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah, a live album released in 1996.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Controversy
When the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced their 2014 inductees, Nirvana was among those honored. However, the Hall's decision to only induct Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl, and Krist Novoselic sparked controversy, as Channing was initially excluded despite his contributions to the band's early work.
While Channing played on most of Nirvana's 1989 debut LP Bleach and several singles and stray tracks, Dave Grohl was ultimately the only drummer inducted into the Rock Hall.
Chad Channing's Ranking Among Musicians
| Rank | Musician | Birth Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1,874 | Butch Vig | 1955 |
| 1,875 | Takanori Nishikawa | 1970 |
| 1,876 | Bukka White | 1906 |
| 1,877 | Cliff Edwards | 1895 |
| 1,878 | Zbigniew Namysłowski | 1939 |
| 1,879 | Randy Edelman | 1947 |
| 1,880 | Chad Channing | 1967 |
| 1,881 | Ed O'Brien | 1968 |
| 1,882 | Larry Adler | 1914 |
| 1,883 | Hal Blaine | 1929 |
| 1,884 | Jackie McLean | 1931 |
| 1,885 | Carlinhos Brown | 1962 |
| 1,886 | Derek Bailey | 1930 |
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