well, from what I remember (i'm 24), Nirvana was too bad in their reputation. They were just druggys. they shouldn't get the fame they deserve because drugs are not the answer to any kind of fame.
Pearl Jam was the founding fathers of grunge, because they proved that normal people rock harder then indie rock guys, who are really just trying to hold on to their high school adolescent past.
If you talk to any fire fighther, policemen, sales person (or any respectful human being), they all listen to stuff like Nickelback, because it follows the correct formula...kind of like human beings must do in order to be happy and successful. (hence, kurt cobang shot himself.)