June 1994-Layne Staley of Alice in Chains enters a lengthy rehab stay after the release of the Jar of Flies EP, and takes a year and a half away on hiatus. (Mad Season doesn't get off the ground, but the Tripod album and MTV Unplugged appearance occur, followed by a lengthy arena and amphitheater tour headlining)
July 1996: Cobain gets a call from Edward Van Halen. The guitarist wishes to apologize for his being heavily intoxicated when appearing backstage at a 1993 Nirvana show at the Great Western Forum, which had been laced with racial epithets. Cobain accepts his apology. The two begin a long conversation, in which Van Halen discusses problems with frontman Sammy Hagar, Ray Danniels' role managing the band, and an upcoming compilation album. Cobain officially urges a split with Hagar if he doesn't change his behavior, hoots down at plans to replace him with Mitch Malloy or Gary Cherone of Extreme, and recommends a reunion with David Lee Roth. Hagar soon leaves Van Halen, though asserts he was fired, and the band records two new songs with Roth with Glen Ballard producing. The reunited band steals the show at the MTV Video Music Awards, the single "Me Wise Magic" receives heavy radio and MTV rotation, and they set to hunker down to record a new album together.
October 1996-Thanks to lengthy correspondence with Duff McKagan of Guns N' Roses, Cobain and frontman Axl Rose reconcile. Cobain is able to use his newfound friendship with Rose to mediate conflict between him and lead guitarist Slash. After a year and a half of false starts, recording for GNR's next album proceeds quite smoothly, with a focus on raw spontaneity. Rose also slowly rebuilds his friendship with former rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, and he returns to the band.
1996/1997-Kiss heads out on their Alive/Worldwide Tour, a reunion of the original lineup in full makeup. Skid Row is the opening act on the U.S. dates, a dream come true for frontman Sebastian Bach. The tour also rejuvenates Skid Row's fortunes and collaborative energy.
November 25, 1997-INXS heads out on their Lose Your Head Tour, a homecoming tour of Australia and the final dates promoting their latest album, Elegantly Wasted. Frontman Michael Hutchence dedicates each night to his good friend, Bono, as he did every single performance prior.
1998-During his activities that year, Cobain pillories the media for their focus on President Clinton's relationship with Monica Lewinsky, and castigates the Republicans' hypocrisy, as well as the obnoxiousness of controversial atheist Christopher Hitchens for injecting himself into the story. Congress votes to censure President Clinton, and the fire begins to die.