Damian Morgan
The Kurt Crying shot was not only voted as one of the top 25 music photos ever, but has recently been voted number 6 in the top 100 rock and roll photographs...how do you feel about that?

Ian Tilton
I feel really honoured. The photo was chosen for a special edition of Q magazine by photographers and journalists. They had thousands of images covering 5 decades of rock music history, so of course I'm very pleased. I knew it was a great shot when I took it, and now it's gone down in history because, of course, Kurt sadly committed suicide.

D.M.
What's the story behind the famous shot?

Ian.T.
This was in Seattle, 1990. He simply came off stage, sat down and cried for about half a minute. Then he was fine. He had just trashed his gear on stage, and it was simply a release of energy. It is a painful picture, but it's about the angst of performance. The band seemed used to it. He seemed very healthy then, and very happy. He was a very powerful and energetic performer, and it was all he wanted to do. The band was his vehicle, the most important thing in his life.

D.M.
What was your first contact with Nirvana?

Ian.T.
I was sent to New York by 'Sounds' magazine take photographs at the 1988 New Music Seminar (annual music biz event). I was staying in Manhattan with the press officer for Nirvana and Tad. Nirvana were supporting Tad at this time. John Robb (music journalist) had enthused about Nirvana and I was really excited about seeing them perform. 'Sounds' planned to have a joint front cover featuring both these bands, there was a buzz about them, particularly Nirvana.

D.M.
And then you had a little..er..accident?!

Ian.T.
Things took a strange turn when I got run over! I wasn't too seriously hurt, but I had to stay-put in the apartment. I still had a job to do though, so both bands came over to where I was staying and we set up a makeshift studio. Nirvana felt really sorry for me! They were all lovely guys.

D.M.
How would you sum up Nirvana, given your experiences with them?

Ian.T.
They were fun, intelligent, talented and so full of energy. They had a healthy cynicism about the industry and about money, and it gave them an integrity and honesty that shone through in their music.