Despite turning 50 this year, Courtney Love seems to have no plans for slowing down. Alongside tearing up the UK with a series of electrifying gigs earlier in 2014, her first shows this side of the Atlantic in four years, she is also returning to acting; back in July, it was announced that she would be joining the cast of Sons of Anarchy in a recurring role for the show's final season. In addition, the release of her new single 'You Know My Name' earlier this year, alongside performances of new songs on recent tours hint that a new solo album may not be too far off the radar either. Rejoice! As one of the most outrageous personalities in entertainment, Courtney has achieved iconic status with her onstage theatrics, notorious antics and distinctive musical style. As frontperson of grunge band Hole and as a solo artist, she has experimented with a range of styles, from the aggressive, dirgey punk of Hole's earliest recordings right through to the comparatively gentle, radio-friendly rock of Celebrity Skin. And let's not forget her acting career; she was nominated for a Golden Globe back in 1995 for her supporting role as Althea Leasure in The People vs Larry Flynt, as well as taking a starring role alongside Jim Carrey in Andy Kaufman biopic, The Man On The Moon. In fact, Courtney has spoken deeply to many by providing the kind of raw, unashamed honesty through her music that you simply don't get from most artists, evoking an intense devotion from a solid fanbase who have stuck by her throughout the highs and lows of her career. We imitate her unique fashions (tiara, anyone?); we practised screaming demonically as teenagers in our bedrooms so we could go start our own Hole (though of course we would never be as good - we are not worthy!); we trawl the internet for incredibly rare demos of early incarnations of Courtney's bands (fruitlessly, but never mind). We're not obsessive, of course. Just really enthusiastic... So here we have it: 11 things that all Courtney Love fans will understand. How many apply to you?
Stephanie is a writer and free spirit who likes to pretend she's a Londoner, though strictly speaking she's from Watford. She likes books, music, elephants, and hairspray.
