Kristen Pfaff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kristen Pfaff
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Pfaff performing with Hole at the Phoenix Festival, England, 1993
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| Born |
Kristen Marie Parco
May 26, 1967 Buffalo, New York, U.S.
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| Died | June 16, 1994 (aged 27) Seattle, Washington, U.S.
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| Resting place | Forest Lawn Cemetery |
| Alma mater | University of Minnesota |
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| Years active | 1991–1994 |
Kristen Pfaff (born May 26, 1967 – died June 16, 1994) was an American musician. She was best known as the bassist for the alternative rock band Hole. She played with Hole from 1993 to 1994. Before joining Hole, Pfaff was the bassist and sang backup for the band Janitor Joe, based in Minneapolis.
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Kristen Pfaff's Early Life and Music Journey
Kristen Pfaff was born in Buffalo, New York. As a child, she learned to play classical piano and cello. She also had a younger brother, Jason, who is also a musician.
After finishing high school in 1985, Kristen spent some time in Europe. She then went to the University of Minnesota. There, she studied women's studies and worked at the college radio station, Radio K.
While living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after college, Kristen taught herself to play the bass guitar. In 1991, she formed the band Janitor Joe with guitarist/singer Joachim Breuer and drummer Matt Entsminger.
Janitor Joe: The Early Band Years
Janitor Joe released their first song, "Hmong," in 1992. Later that year, they put out the "Bullethead" song. In 1993, they released "Boyfriend" and their first album, Big Metal Birds.
Janitor Joe became a popular band in Minneapolis. Their music was influenced by the early grunge sound from the Pacific Northwest. It also had sharp, fast sounds like bands from DC. Kristen's bass playing was a key part of Janitor Joe's energetic sound. She also helped write songs for their album.
In 1993, Janitor Joe started touring across the country. During a tour in California, Eric Erlandson and Courtney Love from the band Hole saw Kristen play. Hole was looking for a new bassist. Love asked Kristen to join Hole. At first, Kristen said no and went back to Minneapolis. But Erlandson and Love kept asking her.
Joining Hole: A New Chapter
Kristen was not sure about leaving Minneapolis to join Hole. However, her father encouraged her. He told her it was a great chance to grow as a musician. Hole had already signed with a big record label, Geffen Records.
In 1993, Kristen moved to Seattle, Washington. She joined the other members of Hole to work on their album, Live Through This. The band's new lineup included Love, Erlandson, Pfaff, and Patty Schemel on drums. They started practicing in early 1993. Eric Erlandson said that when Kristen joined, "All of a sudden, we became a real band."
Later Years and Leaving Hole
Kristen's time in Seattle was very creative. She became close friends with Eric Erlandson and Kurt Cobain. While working on the successful Live Through This album, Kristen and Eric were very close.
After the album was praised by critics, Kristen decided to move back to Minnesota. One reason was that she had different ideas about music than some others in Hole.
Kristen left Hole in the spring of 1994. She went on tour with Janitor Joe. After her tour, Kristen planned to return to Seattle to get her things. She made the trip to Seattle on June 14, 1994.
Remembering Kristen Pfaff
On June 16, 1994, Kristen Pfaff was found in her Seattle apartment. She was 27 years old. Her father, Norman Pfaff, described her as "bright, personable, wonderful...very, very talented, smart."
After a time of sadness, Hole found a new bassist, Melissa Auf der Maur. They dedicated their first show with the new bassist to Kristen. Hole's 1997 album, My Body, the Hand Grenade, is also dedicated to her.
On October 20, 1994, Kristen's mother, Janet Pfaff, accepted an award for her daughter. Kristen was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. Her mother said she was proud and wished Kristen could have been there to enjoy it.
A radio station in Minneapolis, University of Minnesota's KUOM, started a yearly scholarship in Kristen's name. It is called the Kristen Pfaff Memorial Scholarship. This award helps students who are active in the arts with their education. Money from Hole's album sales has also gone to the Kristen Pfaff Memorial Fund.
Around 2021, a writer named Guy Mankowski began writing a book about Kristen's life. The book uses Kristen's personal notes and audio recordings. In October 2022, Mankowski gave a TEDx talk about Kristen's life and influence.
Kristen Pfaff's Music Albums
- Big Metal Birds (1993); with Janitor Joe
- Live Through This (1994); with Hole
- My Body, the Hand Grenade (1997); a compilation album by Hole, featuring Kristen on the song "Old Age"
Images for kids
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Pfaff performing with Hole at the Phoenix Festival, England, 1993
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Kristen Pfaff's grave site. Section 6, Lot 45 of Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York
See also
In Spanish: Kristen Pfaff para niños
