biography kurt cobain

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Kurt Cobain

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• Lambiek Comiclopedia - Kurt Cobain
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Kurt Cobain (born February 20, 1967, Aberdeen , Washington , U.S.—died April 5, 1994, Seattle , Washington) was an American rock musician who rose to fame as the lead singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter for the seminal grunge band Nirvana .

Cobain had a generally happy childhood until his parents divorced when he was nine years old. After that event, he was frequently troubled and angry, and his emotional pain became a subject of, and catalyst for, much of his later music . As a teenager, he moved between various relatives’ houses, stayed with friends’ parents, and occasionally slept under bridges while he began to use drugs and take part in petty vandalism as forms of teenage rebellion. Cobain was musically inclined from an early age, and in the mid-1980s he began to play with members of the local “sludge rock” band the Melvins (who would themselves go on to earn a measure of national fame in the 1990s). In 1985 he created a homemade tape of some songs with the drummer of the Melvins that later caught the attention of local bassist Krist Novoselic . Cobain and Novoselic formed Nirvana in 1987 and thereafter recruited a series of drummers to record demo tapes with them and play small shows throughout the Northwest .

One of the group’s demo tapes found its way to Jonathan Poneman of the Seattle independent record label Sub Pop, which signed the band to produce its first single, “Love Buzz”, in 1988 and its first album, Bleach , in 1989. The album had a unique (and soon-to-be signature) sound that mixed the rawness of punk rock with pop hooks, and the group soon became a target of major record labels. With new drummer Dave Grohl (who joined the band in 1990) Nirvana released its major-label debut, Nevermind (1991), which featured the hit single “ Smells like Teen Spirit ”; it became the first alternative-rock album to achieve widespread popularity with a mainstream audience. Nevermind catapulted Nirvana to worldwide fame, and Cobain came to be hailed as the voice of his generation, a title that he was never comfortable with.

In 1992 Cobain married Courtney Love , then the leader of the band Hole, and the couple had a daughter that same year. The following year Nirvana released its final studio album, In Utero , in which Cobain railed against his fame. Cobain had long suffered from depression and chronic stomach pain. He treated his issues with drugs: Cobain was a frequent user of heroin in the years after Nirvana’s breakthrough, and he took a variety of painkillers in an attempt to numb his constant stomach agony. In March 1994 he was hospitalized in Rome after overdosing and slipping into a coma in what was later characterized as a failed suicide attempt. One month later he snuck out of a Los Angeles-area drug treatment centre and returned to his Seattle home, where he shot and killed himself.

Cobain’s death marked, in many ways, the end of the brief grunge movement and was a signature event for many music fans of Generation X . He remained an icon of the era after his death and was the subject of a number of posthumous works, including the book Heavier than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain (2001) by Charles R. Cross and the documentaries Kurt & Courtney (1998) and Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck (2015). In addition, a collection of his journals was published in 2002. In 2014 Nirvana was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame .

Kurt Cobain

• Born February 20 , 1967 · Aberdeen, Washington, USA
• Died April 5 , 1994 · Seattle, Washington, USA (suicide by gunshot)
• Birth name Kurt Donald Cobain
• Height 5′ 9″ (1.75 m)
• Kurt Cobain was born on February 20 1967, in Aberdeen, Washington. Kurt and his family lived in Hoquiam for the first few months of his life then later moved back to Aberdeen, where he had a happy childhood until his parents divorced. The divorce left Kurt's outlook on the world forever scarred. He became withdrawn and anti-social. He was constantly placed with one relative to the next, living with friends, and at times even homeless. Kurt was not the most popular person in high school as he was in public school. In 1985 Kurt left Aberdeen for Olympia where he formed the band Nirvana in 1986. In 1989 Nirvana recorded their debut album Bleach under the independent label Sub-Pop records. Nirvana became very popular in Britain and by 1991 they signed a contract with Geffen. Their next album Nevermind became a 90s masterpiece and made Kurt's Nirvana one of the most successful bands in the world. Kurt became trampled upon with success and found the new lifestyle hard to bear. In February 1992 Kurt married Courtney Love , the woman who was already pregnant with his child, Frances Bean Cobain . Nirvana released their next album Incesticide later that year. The album appealed to many fans due to the liner notes, which expressed Kurt's open-mindedness. In September 1993 Nirvana released their next album, 'In Utero', which topped the charts. On March 4, 1994, Kurt was taken to hospital in a coma. It was officially stated as an accident but many believe it to have been an unsuccessful suicide attempt. Family and friends convinced Kurt to seek rehab. Kurt was said to have fled rehab after only a few days from a missing person's report filed by Courtney Love . On April 8th Kurt's body was found in his Seattle home. In his arms was a shotgun, which had been fired into his head. Near him laid a suicide note written in red ink. It was addressed to his wife Courtney Love and his daughter Frances Bean Cobain . Two days after Kurt's body was discovered people gathered in Seattle, they began setting fires, chanting profanities, and fighting with police officers. They also listened to a tape of Courtney reading sections of the suicide note left by Kurt. The last few words were "I love you, I love you". - IMDb Mini Biography By: Tony Russomanno <[email protected]>
• Spouse Courtney Love (February 24, 1992 - April 5, 1994) (his death, 1 child)
• Children Frances Bean Cobain
• His unclean hair and unshaven appearance
• Raw agonizing voice
• Smashing instruments and stage equipment after shows
• Garbled,Incomprehensible Singing
• Shoulder-length blonde hair
• Said he eventually wanted to experiment with filmmaking. He even wrote a script for a horror movie.
• The last movie he watched before his death was The Piano (1993) .
• During a Nirvana concert, he witnessed a girl being groped in the audience. Without missing a beat, he threw his guitar to the ground (a Martin D-18E electric guitar, one of the rarest electric guitars ever made and worth a significant amount of money), dived into the audience and angrily confronted the man who groped the woman. Upon returning to the stage, Cobain and the other band members openly mocked the man as he was being forcibly led out by security.
• Died at 27 years old, making him a member of the "27 Club"; The 27 Club is a group of prominent musicians who died at the age of 27. Other members include Rolling Stones co-founder Brian Jones , guitarist Jimi Hendrix , singer Janis Joplin , guitarist Alan Wilson , The Doors frontman Jim Morrison and Amy Winehouse .
• John Lennon 's song "In my Life" was played at his funeral.
• Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.
• I'm not well-read, but when I read, I read well.
• I'm not a death rocker, and I don't wear black.
• I'd rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I am not.
• I think people who glamorize drugs are f**king *ssholes and if there's hell they'll go there.

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Kurt Cobain Biography

Birthday: February 20 , 1967 ( Pisces )

Born In: Aberdeen, Washington, United States

Kurt Donald Cobain was an American singer-songwriter who rocked the music world with his band ‘Nirvana.’ He displayed artistic traits since early childhood. However, he had a troubled youth because of his parents’ separation. Finding solace in music, he started with playing the guitar and eventually went deeper into the world of music. Albums, such as ‘Bleach,’ ‘Nevermind,’ and ‘In Utero’ were some of his very popular ones. ‘Nirvana’ signing with ‘Geffen Records’ came as a major accomplishment in his career. Although he continued to grow exponentially on the professional front, his personal life was marred by his severe drug addiction. Plagued by health and family issues, he constantly struggled with depression and drug addiction issues throughout his life. However, his exemplary song writing skills helped ‘Nirvana’ sell over 25 million copies in the U.S. and over 75 million records all over the world, making him an iconic personality in the field of rock music.

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Also Known As: Kurt Donald Cobain

Died At Age: 27

Spouse/Ex-: Courtney Love (m. 1992)

father: Donald Leland Cobain

mother: Wendy Elizabeth (née Fradenburg)

children: Frances Bean Cobain

Born Country: United States

Died Young Guitarists

Height: 5'9" (175 cm ), 5'9" Males

Died on: April 5 , 1994

place of death: Seattle, Washington, United States

U.S. State: Washington

Cause of Death: Suicide By Firearm

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What was kurt cobain's impact on the music industry, what were some of kurt cobain's most memorable quotes, what inspired kurt cobain's songwriting, what was the significance of nirvana's album nevermind.

Nirvana's album "Nevermind," released in 1991, is widely regarded as a landmark in the history of rock music. The album's raw energy, catchy melodies, and emotional depth catapulted Nirvana to mainstream success and played a major role in popularizing grunge music globally.

How did Kurt Cobain's legacy continue after his death?

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He is a well-known member of the ‘27 Club,’ a list of musicians and actors who died at the age of 27. Numerous books, documentaries, and films, based on Cobain’s life and death, were released after his death.

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Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain Paperback – April 2, 2019

• Print length 448 pages
• Language English
• Publication date April 2, 2019
• Dimensions 5.25 x 1.13 x 8 inches
• ISBN-10 0316492442
• ISBN-13 978-0316492447
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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hachette Books; Updated,Expanded edition (April 2, 2019)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 448 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316492442
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316492447
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.2 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 1.13 x 8 inches
• #50 in Rock Music (Books)
• #61 in Rock Band Biographies

About the author

Charles r. cross.

Charles R. Cross graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle with a degree in creative writing. At the UW, he served as editor of the Daily in 1979, and caused a major ruckus when he left the front page of the newspaper blank. The only type was a small line that read “The White Issue,” in deference to the Beatles’ White Album.

After college, Cross served as editor of The Rocket, the Northwest’s music and entertainment magazine, from 1986 through 2000. The Rocket was hailed as “the best regional music magazine in the nation” by the L.A. Reader, and it was the first publication ever to run a story on Nirvana. Cross wrote stories on such seminal Northwest bands as The Wailers, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and hundreds, if not thousands, of lesser-known bands. In addition to The Rocket, Cross’s writing has appeared in hundreds of magazines, including Rolling Stone, Esquire, Playboy, Spin, Guitar World, Q, Uncut, and Creem. He has also written for many newspapers and alternative weeklies, including the London Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Seattle Times, and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. He has lectured and read at universities and colleges around the world, and has frequently been interviewed for film, radio, and television documentaries, including VH1’s "Behind the Music."

Cross is the author of seven books, including 2005’s Room Full of Mirrors: A Biography of Jimi Hendrix (published by Hyperion in the U.S., and Hodder in the U.K.). His 2001 release, Heavier Than Heaven: The Biography of Kurt Cobain (Hyperion/Hodder), was a New York Times bestseller and was called “one of the most moving and revealing books ever written about a rock star” by the Los Angeles Times. In 2002, Heavier Than Heaven won the ASCAP Timothy White Award for outstanding biography. Cross’s other books include the national bestseller Cobain Unseen (Little Brown), Backstreets: Springsteen, the Man and His Music (Harmony, 1989); Led Zeppelin: Heaven and Hell (Harmony, 1992); and Nevermind: The Classic Album (Schirmer, 1998).

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Customers find the book comprehensive, definitive, and eye-opening. They also describe the writing as very well written, interesting, and captivating. Opinions are mixed on the emotional tone, with some finding it enlightening and profound, while others say it's dark and sad.

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Customers find the book comprehensive, definitive, and in-depth. They also say it's extremely well told, and the author did an amazing job with research and interviews. Readers also describe the book as an eye opener, enlightening, profound, and real.

"...much more than what was in the tabloids since Cross' level of interviewing goes very deep ...." Read more

"This is a comprehensive and definitive biography of Kurt Cobain, the sensitive, conflicted and brilliant leader of the band Nirvana, chronicling his..." Read more

"...It was a great biography , and was challenging in some aspects - that is, the work itself was both detailed and sparse, objective and subjective,..." Read more

"...I think the author did a fantastic job of telling Kurt's story and I found it thoughtful and engaging throughout...." Read more

Customers find the book very well written, cogent, and detailed. They also say it makes an interesting story. Customers also mention that the book is raw and emotional.

"From the beginning, the flow of the text was enjoyable and Cross' description of Kurt was dead on...." Read more

"...It did make an interesting story , however, and as a whole I was able to get a good handle on a portrait of a man that I truly did not understand,..." Read more

"... Cross writes well and the flow of the story is excellent...." Read more

"...I found the book well written albeit sad ...." Read more

Customers find the plot captivating, touching, and engrossing. They also say it's the best book they've ever read.

"...With thorough research and great psychological depth this biography proves worthy of its subject, one of the greatest rock musicians of all time...." Read more

"...An engrossing and well researched book by Charles Cross that will keep the reader totally absorbed while already anticipating the bitter end to come...." Read more

"...job of telling Kurt's story and I found it thoughtful and engaging throughout ...." Read more

"This book is very haunting , but in a good way...." Read more

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"...I purchased it used. it is in good condition , well read. it came in the mail quickly, faster than I expected...." Read more

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Customers are mixed about the emotional tone of the book. Some find it profound, compassionate, and nonbiased. They also say it brings a perspective unlike any other and provides great insight into the life of a legend. However, some readers feel the tone is dark and sad, and casts Kurt in a negative light.

"...aspects - that is, the work itself was both detailed and sparse, objective and subjective, truthful and anecdotally uncertain in many portions...." Read more

"By far the most depressing book I’ve ever read…grew up on Nirvana and expected some sad stories. I wasn’t ready...." Read more

"...author did a fantastic job of telling Kurt's story and I found it thoughtful and engaging throughout...." Read more

"...thought this was a fantastic biography... Difficult reading at times, tragic , heart-breaking, hard to understand...." Read more

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Kurt Donald Cobain Biography

Kurt Donald Cobain (February 20, 1967 – c. April 5, 1994), was an American musician, best known for his roles as lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter for the Seattle-based rock band Nirvana.

Cobain formed Nirvana in 1987 with Krist Novoselic. Within two years, the band became a fixture of the burgeoning Seattle grunge scene. In 1991, the arrival of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” marked the beginning of a dramatic shift of popular rock music away from the dominant genres of the 1980s (glam metal, arena rock, and dance-pop) and toward grunge and alternative rock. The music media eventually awarded the song “anthem-of-a-generation” status,[1] and, with it, Cobain was labeled a “spokesman” for Generation X.

During the last years of his life, Cobain struggled with drug addiction and the media pressures surrounding him and his wife, Courtney Love. On April 8, 1994, Cobain was found dead in his home in Seattle, the victim of what was officially ruled a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head. In ensuing years, the circumstances of his death became a topic of fascination and debate. Life and career

Early life Kurt Cobain was born to Donald and Wendy Cobain on February 20, 1967 in Aberdeen, Washington and spent his first six months living in the village of Hoquiam, Washington before the family moved to Aberdeen.[2] He began developing an interest in music early in his life. According to his Aunt Mari, “He was singing from the time he was two. He would sing Beatles songs like ‘Hey Jude’. He had a lot of charisma from a very young age.”[3]

Cobain’s life changed at the age of seven when his parents divorced in 1975, an event which he later cited as having a profound impact on his life. His mother noted that his personality changed dramatically, with Cobain becoming more withdrawn.[4] In a 1993 interview, Cobain said, “I remember feeling ashamed, for some reason. I was ashamed of my parents. I couldn’t face some of my friends at school anymore, because I desperately wanted to have the classic, you know, typical family. Mother, father. I wanted that security, so I resented my parents for quite a few years because of that.”[5] After a year spent living with his mother following the divorce, Cobain moved to Montesano, Washington to live with his father, but after a few years his youthful rebellion became too overwhelming and he found himself being shuffled between friends and family.[6]

At school, Cobain took little interest in sports. At his father’s insistence, Cobain joined the junior high wrestling team. While he was good at it, he despised it. Later, his father signed him up for a local baseball league, where Cobain would intentionally strike out to avoid having to play.[7] Instead, Cobain focused on his art courses. He often drew during classes, including objects associated with human anatomy. Cobain was friends with a gay student at his school, sometimes suffering bullying at the hands of homophobic students. That friendship led some to believe that he himself was gay. In one of his personal journals, Cobain wrote, “I am not gay, although I wish I were, just to piss off homophobes.”[8] In a 1993 interview with The Advocate, Cobain claimed that he used to spray paint “God is Gay” on pickup trucks around Aberdeen. Cobain also claimed he was arrested in 1985 for spray-painting “HOMO SEX RULES” on a bank.[9] However, Aberdeen police records show that the phrase for which he was arrested was actually “Ain’t got no how watchamacallit”.[10] As a teenager growing up in small-town Washington, Cobain eventually found escape through the thriving Pacific Northwest punk scene, going to punk rock shows in Seattle. Eventually, Cobain began frequenting the practice space of fellow Montesano musicians the Melvins.

In the middle of tenth grade, Cobain moved back to live with his mother in Aberdeen. Two weeks before his graduation, Cobain dropped out of high school after realizing that he did not have enough credits to graduate. His mother gave him a choice: either get a job or leave. After a week or so, Cobain found his clothes and other belongings packed away in boxes.[11] Forced out of his mother’s home, Cobain often stayed at friends’ houses and sneaked into his mother’s basement occasionally.[12] Cobain later claimed that when he could not find anywhere else to stay, he lived under a bridge over the Wishkah River,[12] an experience that inspired the Nevermind track “Something in the Way”. However, Krist Novoselic claimed that Cobain never really lived there, saying, “He hung out there, but you couldn’t live on those muddy banks, with the tides coming up and down. That was his own revisionism.”[13]

In late 1986, Cobain moved into the first house he lived in alone and paid his rent by working at a coastal resort twenty miles from Aberdeen.[14] At the same time, Cobain was traveling more frequently to Olympia, Washington to check out rock shows.[15] During his visits to Olympia, Cobain started a relationship with Tracy Marander.

Nirvana For his 14th birthday, Cobain’s uncle gave him the option of a guitar or a bicycle as a gift; Cobain chose the guitar. He started learning a few covers, including AC/DC’s “Back in Black” and The Cars’ “My Best Friend’s Girl”, and soon began working on his own songs.[16]

In high school, Cobain rarely found anyone to jam with. While hanging out at the Melvins practice space, he met Krist Novoselic, a fellow devotee of punk rock. Novoselic’s mother owned a hair salon and Cobain and Novoselic would occasionally practice in the upstairs room. A few years later, Cobain tried to convince Novoselic to form a band with him by lending him a copy of a home demo recorded by Cobain’s earlier band, Fecal Matter. After months of asking, Novoselic finally agreed to join Cobain, forming the beginnings of Nirvana.[17]

During their first few years playing together, Novoselic and Cobain were hosts to a rotating list of drummers. Eventually, the band settled on Chad Channing, with whom Nirvana recorded the album Bleach, released on Sub Pop Records in 1989. Cobain, however, became dissatisfied with Channing’s style, leading the band to seek out a replacement, eventually settling on Dave Grohl. With Grohl, the band found their greatest success via their 1991 major-label debut, Nevermind.

Cobain struggled to reconcile the massive success of Nirvana with his underground roots. He also felt persecuted by the media, comparing himself to Frances Farmer, and harbored resentment for people who claimed to be fans of the band but who completely missed the point of the band’s message. One incident particularly distressing to Cobain involved two men who raped a woman while singing the Nirvana song “Polly”. Cobain condemned the episode in the liner notes of the US release of the album Incesticide: “Last year, a girl was raped by two wastes of sperm and eggs while they sang the lyrics to our song ‘Polly’. I have a hard time carrying on knowing there are plankton like that in our audience. Sorry to be so anally P.C. but that’s the way I feel.”

Marriage Courtney Love first saw Cobain perform in 1989 at a show in Portland, Oregon; the pair talked briefly after the show and Love developed a crush on him.[18] According to journalist Everett True, the pair were formally introduced at an L7/Butthole Surfers concert in Los Angeles in May 1991.[19] In the weeks that followed, after learning from Grohl that she and Cobain shared mutual crushes, Love began pursuing Cobain. After a few weeks of on-again, off-again courtship in the fall of 1991, the two found themselves together on a regular basis, often bonding through drug use.[20]

Around the time of Nirvana’s 1992 performance on Saturday Night Live, Love discovered that she was pregnant with Cobain’s child. A few days after the conclusion of Nirvana’s Pacific Rim tour, on Monday, February 24, 1992, Cobain married Love on Waikiki Beach, Hawaii. “In the last couple months I’ve gotten engaged and my attitude has changed drastically,” Cobain said in an interview with Sassy magazine. “I can’t believe how much happier I am. At times I even forget that I’m in a band, I’m so blinded by love. I know that sounds embarrassing, but it’s true. I could give up the band right now. It doesn’t matter, but I’m under contract.”[21] On August 18, the couple’s daughter, Frances Bean Cobain, was born. The unusual middle name was given to her because Cobain thought she looked like a kidney bean on the first sonogram he saw of her. Her namesake is Frances McKee of British band The Vaselines and not Frances Farmer as is sometimes reported.[22]

Love was somewhat unpopular with Nirvana fans; her harshest critics said she was merely using him as a vehicle to make herself famous.[20] Critics who compared Cobain to John Lennon were also fond of comparing Love to Yoko Ono. Rumors persist that Cobain wrote most of the songs on the breakthrough album Live Through This of Love’s band Hole, partially fueled by the 1996 appearance of a rough mix of “Asking for It” with Cobain singing backing vocals. However, there is no specific evidence to support the assertion.

At the same time, one song by Hole was discovered to be a song originally written by Nirvana. The song “Old Age” appeared as a B-side on the 1993 single for Beautiful Son, credited to Hole. Initially, there was no reason to believe it was anything other than a Hole-penned song. However, in 1998, a boombox recording of the song performed by Nirvana (with significantly different lyrics) was surfaced by Seattle newspaper The Stranger. In the article that accompanied the clip, Novoselic confirmed that the recording was made in 1991 and that “Old Age” was a Nirvana song, leading to more speculation about Cobain’s involvement in Hole’s catalog. Nirvana had even attempted to record “Old Age” during the sessions for Nevermind, but it was left incomplete as Cobain had yet to finish the lyrics and the band had run out of studio time. (The incomplete recording appeared on the 2004 compilation With the Lights Out, credited to Cobain.) As for Hole’s version, guitarist Eric Erlandson noted that he believed Cobain wrote the music for the song, but that Love had written the lyrics for their version.[23]

In a 1992 article in Vanity Fair, Love admitted to using heroin while (unknowingly) pregnant. Love claimed that Vanity Fair had misquoted her,[24] but her admission created controversy for the couple. While Cobain and Love’s romance had always been something of a media attraction, the couple found themselves hounded by tabloid reporters after the article was published, many wanting to know if Frances was addicted to drugs at birth. The Los Angeles County Department of Children’s Services took the Cobains to court, claiming that the couple’s drug usage made them unfit parents.[22] Two-week-old Frances Bean Cobain was ordered by the judge to be taken from their custody and placed with Courtney’s sister Jamie for several weeks, after which the couple obtained custody, but had to submit to urine tests and a regular visit from a social worker. After months of legal wrangling, the couple were eventually granted full custody of their daughter.

Drug addiction Throughout most of his life, Cobain battled chronic bronchitis and intense physical pain due to an undiagnosed chronic stomach condition.[25] This last condition was especially debilitating to his emotional welfare, and he spent years trying to find its source. However, none of the doctors he consulted were able to pinpoint the specific cause, guessing that it was either a result of Cobain’s childhood scoliosis or related to the stresses of performing.

His first drug experience was with marijuana in 1980 at age 14. Cobain’s first experience with heroin occurred sometime in 1986, administered to him by a local drug dealer in Tacoma, Washington, who had previously been supplying him with Percodan.[26] Cobain used heroin sporadically for several years, but, by the end of 1990, his use had developed into a full-fledged addiction. Cobain claimed that he was “determined to get a habit” as a way to self-medicate his stomach condition. Related Cobain, “It started with three days in a row of doing heroin and I don’t have a stomach pain. That was such a relief.”[27]

His heroin use eventually began affecting the band’s support of Nevermind, with Cobain passing out during photo shoots. One memorable example came the day of the band’s 1992 performance on Saturday Night Live, where Nirvana had a shoot with photographer Michael Levine. Having shot up beforehand, Cobain nodded off several times during the shoot. Regarding the shoot, Cobain related to biographer Michael Azerrad, “I mean, what are they supposed to do? They’re not going to be able to tell me to stop. So I really didn’t care. Obviously to them it was like practicing witchcraft or something. They didn’t know anything about it so they thought that any second, I was going to die.”[28] Cobain also overdosed on the same night, after performing on Saturday Night Live.

Cobain’s heroin addiction worsened as the years progressed. Cobain made his first attempt at rehab in early 1992, not long after he and Love discovered they were going to become parents. Immediately after leaving rehab, Nirvana embarked on their Australian tour, with Cobain appearing pale and gaunt while suffering through withdrawals. Not long after returning home, Cobain’s heroin use resurfaced. Prior to a performance at the New Music Seminar in New York City in July 1993, Cobain suffered a heroin overdose. Rather than calling for an ambulance, Love injected Cobain with illegally acquired Narcan to bring him out of his unconscious state. Cobain proceeded to perform with Nirvana, giving the public no indication that anything out of the ordinary had taken place.[29]

Cobain’s final weeks and death Following a tour stop at Terminal Eins in Munich, Germany, on March 1, 1994, Cobain was diagnosed with bronchitis and severe laryngitis. He flew to Rome the next day for medical treatment, and was joined there by his wife on March 3. The next morning, Love awoke to find that Cobain had overdosed on a combination of champagne and Rohypnol (Love had a prescription for Rohypnol filled after arriving in Rome). Cobain was immediately rushed to the hospital, and spent the rest of the day unconscious. After five days in the hospital, Cobain was released and returned to Seattle.[30] Love later stated that the incident was Cobain’s first suicide attempt.[31]

On March 18, Love phoned police to inform them that Cobain was suicidal and had locked himself in a room with a gun. Police arrived and confiscated several guns and a bottle of pills from Cobain, who insisted that he was not suicidal and had locked himself in the room to hide from Love. When questioned by police, Love admitted that Cobain had never mentioned that he was suicidal and that she had not seen him with a gun.[32]

Love arranged an intervention concerning Cobain’s drug use that took place on March 25. The ten people involved included musician friends, record company executives, and one of Cobain’s closest friends, Dylan Carlson. Former Nirvana manager Danny Goldberg described Cobain as being “extremely reluctant” and that he “denied that he was doing anything self-destructive.” However, by the end of the day, Cobain had agreed to undergo a detox program.[33] Cobain arrived at the Exodus Recovery Center in Los Angeles, California, on March 30. The following night, Cobain walked outside to have a cigarette, then climbed over a six-foot-high fence to leave the facility. He took a taxi to Los Angeles Airport and flew back to Seattle. Over the course of April 2 and April 3, Cobain was spotted in various locations around Seattle, but most of his friends and family were unaware of his whereabouts. On April 3, Love contacted a private investigator, Tom Grant, and hired him to find Cobain. The next day, a person claiming to be Cobain’s mother filed a missing person report. The report stated that Cobain “may be suicidal” and had purchased a shotgun.[34]

On April 8, 1994, Cobain was discovered in the spare room above the garage at his Lake Washington home by Veca Electric employee Gary Smith. Smith arrived at the house that morning to install security lighting and saw him lying inside. Apart from a minor amount of blood coming out of Cobain’s ear, Smith reported seeing no visible signs of trauma, and initially believed that Cobain was asleep. Smith found what he thought might be a suicide note with a pen stuck through it beneath an overturned flowerpot. A shotgun, purchased for Cobain by Dylan Carlson, was found at Cobain’s side. Cobain’s death certificate concluded Cobain’s death was a result of a “self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head.” The report estimates Cobain to have died on April 5, 1994.

On April 10, a public vigil was held for Cobain at a park at Seattle Center which drew approximately seven thousand mourners.[35] Prerecorded messages by Krist Novoselic and Courtney Love were played at the memorial. Love read portions of Cobain’s suicide note to the crowd and broke down, crying and chastizing Cobain. Near the end of the vigil Love arrived at the park and distributed some of Cobain’s clothing to those who still remained.[36] Cobain’s body was cremated.

Musical influences Cobain was a devoted champion of early alternative rock acts. His interest in the underground started when Buzz Osborne of the Melvins let him borrow a tape with songs by punk bands such as Black Flag, Flipper, and Millions of Dead Cops. He would often make reference to his favorite bands in interviews, often placing a greater importance on the bands that influenced him than on his own music. Interviews with Cobain were often littered with references to obscure performers like The Vaselines, The Melvins, Daniel Johnston, The Meat Puppets, Young Marble Giants, The Wipers, Flipper, and The Raincoats. Cobain was eventually able to convince record companies to reissue albums by The Raincoats (Geffen) and The Vaselines (Sub Pop). Cobain also noted the influence of the Pixies, and commented that “Smells Like Teen Spirit” bore some similarities to their sound. Cobain told Melody Maker in 1992 that hearing Surfer Rosa for the first time convinced him to abandon his more Black Flag-influenced songwriting in favor of the “Iggy Pop / Aerosmith” type songwriting that appeared on Nevermind.[37]

The Beatles were an early and important musical influence on Cobain. Cobain expressed a particular fondness for John Lennon, whom he called his “idol” in his journals. Cobain once related that he wrote “About a Girl” after spending three hours listening to Meet the Beatles!.[38] He was heavily influenced by punk rock and hardcore punk, and often credited bands such as Black Flag and the Sex Pistols for his artistic style and attitude.

Even with all of Cobain’s indie influences, Nirvana’s early style was influenced by the major rock bands of the ’70s, including Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Kiss, and Neil Young. In its early days, Nirvana made a habit of regularly playing cover songs by those bands, including Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song”, “Dazed and Confused”, “Heartbreaker”, and made a studio recording of Kiss’ “Do You Love Me?”. Cobain also talked about the influence of bands like The Knack, Boston, and The Bay City Rollers.

There were also earlier influences: Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged concert ended with a version of “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”, a song popularized by blues artist Lead Belly, whom Cobain called one of his favorite performers. Critic Greil Marcus suggested that Cobain’s “Polly” was a descendant of “Pretty Polly”, a murder ballad that might have been a century old when Dock Boggs recorded it in 1927.

Cobain also made efforts to include his favorite performers in his musical endeavors. At the 1991 Reading Festival, Eugene Kelly of the Vaselines joined Nirvana onstage for a duet of “Molly’s Lips”, which Cobain would later proclaim to be one of the greatest moments of his life.[39] In 1993, when he decided that he wanted a second guitarist to help him on stage, he recruited Pat Smear of the legendary L.A. punk band The Germs. When rehearsals of three Meat Puppets covers for Nirvana’s 1993 performance for MTV Unplugged went awry, Cobain placed a call to the two lead members of the band, Curt and Cris Kirkwood, who ended up joining the band on stage to perform the songs. Cobain also contributed backing guitar for a spoken word William S. Burroughs recording entitled “the “Priest” they called him”.[40]

Where Sonic Youth had served to help Nirvana gain wider success, Nirvana attempted to help other indie acts attain success. The band submitted the song “Oh, the Guilt” to a split single with Chicago’s The Jesus Lizard, helping Nirvana’s indie credibility while opening The Jesus Lizard to a wider audience.

Legacy In 2005, a sign was put up in Aberdeen, Washington that read “Welcome to Aberdeen – Come As You Are” as a tribute to Cobain. The sign was paid for and created by the Kurt Cobain Memorial Committee, a non-profit organization created in May 2004 to honor Cobain. The Committee also planned to create a Kurt Cobain Memorial Park and a youth center in Aberdeen.

As Cobain has no gravesite, many Nirvana fans visit Viretta Park, near Cobain’s former Lake Washington home, to pay tribute. On the anniversary of his death, fans gather in the park to celebrate his life and memory. In the years following his death, Cobain is now often remembered as one of the most iconic rock musicians in the history of alternative music.

Gus Van Sant based his 2005 movie Last Days on what might have happened in the final hours of Cobain’s life. In January 2007, Courtney Love began to shop the biography Heavier Than Heaven to various movie studios in Hollywood to turn the book into an A-list feature film about Cobain and Nirvana.

Books and films on Cobain Prior to Cobain’s death, writer Michael Azerrad published Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana, a book that chronicled Nirvana’s career from its beginning, as well as the personal histories of the band members. The book explored Cobain’s drug addiction, as well as the countless controversies surrounding the band. After Cobain’s death, Azerrad re-published the book to include a final chapter discussing the last year of Cobain’s life. The book is notable for its involvement of the band members themselves, who gave interviews and personal information to Azerrad specifically for the book. In 2006, Azerrad’s taped conversations with Cobain were transformed into a documentary about Cobain, titled Kurt Cobain About a Son.

In the 1998 documentary Kurt & Courtney, filmmaker Nick Broomfield investigated Tom Grant’s claim that Cobain was actually murdered, and took a film crew to visit a number of people associated with Cobain and Love, including Love’s father, Cobain’s aunt, and one of the couple’s former nannies. Broomfield also spoke to Mentors bandleader Eldon “El Duce” Hoke, who claimed that Love had offered him $50,000 to kill Cobain. Though Hoke claimed that he knew who killed Cobain, he failed to mention a name, and offered no evidence to support his assertion. Broomfield inadvertently captured Hoke’s last interview, as he died days later, reportedly hit by a train while drunk. In the end, however, Broomfield felt he hadn’t uncovered enough evidence to conclude the existence of a conspiracy. In a 1998 interview, Broomfield summed it up by saying, “I think that he committed suicide. I don’t think that there’s a smoking gun. And I think there’s only one way you can explain a lot of things around his death. Not that he was murdered, but that there was just a lack of caring for him. I just think that Courtney had moved on, and he was expendable.”[41]

Journalists Ian Halperin and Max Wallace took a similar path and attempted to investigate the conspiracy for themselves. Their initial work, the 1999 book Who Killed Kurt Cobain? argued that, while there wasn’t enough evidence to prove a conspiracy, there was more than enough to demand that the case be reopened.[42] A notable element of the book included their discussions with Grant, who had taped nearly every conversation that he had undertaken while he was in Love’s employ. In particular, Halperin and Wallace insisted that Grant play them the tapes of his conversations with Carroll so that they could confirm his story. Over the next several years, Halperin and Wallace collaborated with Grant to write a second book, 2004’s Love and Death: The Murder of Kurt Cobain.

In 2001, writer Charles R. Cross published a biography of Cobain titled Heavier Than Heaven. For the book, Cross conducted over 400 interviews, and was given access by Courtney Love to Cobain’s journals, lyrics, and diaries.[43] However, neither Dave Grohl nor Cobain’s mother contributed to the book.[44]

In 2002, a sampling of Cobain’s writings was published as Journals. The book is 280 pages with a simple black cover; the pages are arranged somewhat chronologically (although Cobain generally did not date them). The journal pages are reproduced in color, and there is a section added at the back that has explanations and transcripts of some of the less legible pages. The writings begin in the late 1980s, around the time the band started, and end in 1994. A paperback version of the book, released in 2003, included a handful of writings that were not offered in the initial release. In the journals, Cobain talked about the ups and downs of life on the road, made lists of what music he was enjoying, and often scribbled down lyric ideas for future reference. Upon its release, reviewers and fans were conflicted about the collection. Many were elated to be able to learn more about Cobain and read his inner thoughts in his own words, but were disturbed by what was viewed as an invasion of his privacy.[45]

References â–ª Azerrad, Michael. Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana. Doubleday, 1994. ISBN 0-385-47199-8. â–ª Cross, Charles. Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain. Hyperion, 2001. ISBN 0-7868-8402-9. â–ª Summers, Kim. “Kurt Cobain”. All Music Guide. Accessed on May 9, 2005. â–ª Kitts, Jeff, et al. Guitar World Presents Nirvana and the Grunge Revolution. Hal Leonard, 1998. ISBN 0-79-35900-6X.

Notes 1. ^ Garofalo, p. 447 2. ^ Azerrad, p. 13 3. ^ Gaar, Gillian. “Verse Chorus Verse: The Recording History of Nirvana.” Goldmine Magazine. February 14, 1997. 4. ^ Azerrad, p. 17 5. ^ Savage, Jon. “Kurt Cobain: The Lost Interview”. Guitar World. 1997. 6. ^ Azerrad, p. 22 7. ^ Azerrad, pp. 20-25 8. ^ Cobain, Kurt (2002). Journals. Riverhead Hardcover. ISBN 978-1573222327. 9. ^ Allman, Kevin. “The Dark Side of Kurt Cobain”. The Advocate. February 1993. 10. ^ Cross, p. 68 11. ^ Azerrad, p. 35 12. ^ a b Azerrad, p. 37 13. ^ Cross, Charles R. “Requiem for a Dream.” Guitar World. October 2001. 14. ^ Azerrad, p. 43 15. ^ Azerrad, p. 46 16. ^ Azerrad, p. 22 17. ^ Azerrad, p. 45 18. ^ Azerrad, p. 169 19. ^ True, Everett. “Wednesday 1 March”. Plan B Magazine Blogs. March 1, 2006. 20. ^ a b Azerrad, p. 172. Courtney Love: “We bonded over pharmaceuticals.” 21. ^ Kelly, Christina. “Kurt and Courtney Sitting in a Tree”. Sassy Magazine. April 1992. 22. ^ a b Azerrad, p. 270 23. ^ LIVE NIRVANA SESSIONS HISTORY: Spring 1991-Fall 1992. LiveNirvana.com. 24. ^ Azerrad, p. 266 25. ^ Azerrad, p. 66 26. ^ Azerrad, p. 41 27. ^ Azerrad, p. 236. 28. ^ Azerrad, p. 241 29. ^ Cross, p. 296-297 30. ^ Halperin, Ian & Wallace, Max (1998). Who Killed Kurt Cobain?. Birch Lane Press. ISBN 1-55972-446-3. 31. ^ David Fricke, “Courtney Love: Life After Death”, Rolling Stone, December 15, 1994. 32. ^ Seattle Police Department (1994). Incident Report – March 18. Retrieved on March 13, 2006. 33. ^ The Seattle Times (1994). Questions Linger After Cobain Suicide. Retrieved on March 13, 2006. 34. ^ Seattle Police Department (1994). Missing Person Report. Retrieved on March 13, 2006. 35. ^ Azerrad, p. 346 36. ^ Azerrad, p. 350 37. ^ Cobain, Kurt. “Kurt Cobain of Nirvana Talks About the Records That Changed His Life”. Melody Maker. August 29, 1992. 38. ^ Cross, p. 121. 39. ^ Cross, p. 195 40. ^ Cross, p. 301 41. ^ Miller, Prairie. “Kurt and Courtney: Interview with Nick Broomfield”. Minireviews.com. 1998. 42. ^ ;Halperin & Wallace, p. 202 43. ^ Heavier than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain. HyperionBooks.com. 44. ^ vanHorn, Terri. “Cobain Book Shows Singer’s Life ‘Heavier’ Than Most Imagined”. MTVNews.com. September 10, 2001. 45. ^ Hartwig, David. “Nirvana releases a hit and miss.” Notre Dame Observer. November 19, 2002.

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93 responses

He will live in our hearts 4-ever

bitch to long

Kurt was the best and still is long live Nirvana.

greetings. kurt cobain long live you.

R.I.P. Kurt Cobain 1967 – forever

Come as you are, we will always love you.

“A human is only relly dead if nobody remembers him” Kurt Cobain shall live forever!

To figure out who killed him or if he killed him self ,they should have traced the finger prints on the gun!!!!I still believe CL did itShes a bitch either or.But anyway,……Kurt….:) Oh Kurt:) Do you Know how much i love you?I do.I love you more than anything in the world!!!I miss and love you and will always.<3 Lets hope we'll all soon know the truth.And if ibecome famous,I wobt be embarressed to say that i still have a crush on you…More like im in love with you.And i know you want me to stop talking about you.But i cant and will never get over you:(And i know your dead,you want us to get over it.Just like your tombstone said ,"Stop Talking About Me You Worthless Piss Fuckheads,Im Dead,Get over it"-Kurt Cobain.And i will try babe:) I love you:) i woul do any thing to make you be alive.I would kiss you if i could:)bye .i love you soooo much

mr cobain is an inparation to millions! anyonw who cant see that should go die in a whole…………..with crocodiles!

i learned so much about kurt…..i didnt know what i do now im doing a chosen speach on him in oral comunication and this site has helped me alot i LOVE nirvanas music….rip kurt

and i agree long live kurt!!!!

and i find all of your spelling very hard to master bate too

does anyone know who wrote this because I’m writing a paper and I need an author

FIrst of all, there is no author because whoever wrote it knows it is full of lies so they are either too embarrassed to admit it , or they are afraid of being sued for plagarism. Second, There was absolutely NOT a mutual romantic feeling between Kurt and HER!! Kurt was quoted as saying he couldn’t stand her at first, she was just an annoying, loud mouthed, groupie that showed up a lot. Yeah, he did eventually start to like her, but that was only for the drugs she was supplying him with. She made sure he had plenty, actually too much, she needed him drugged up night and day, to the point where he could hardly even think for himself. It all fit in her plan , she controlled every aspect of his life. She made sure he had no more friends of his own, only her friends were allowed to hang around, she told everyone her friends wre Kurts friends, when in reality, they were actually paid to keep a very close eye on Kurt at all times. She forged all kinds of documents with his name, she got pregnant on purpose to trap him so that he had to marry her. I could go on, but I’ve explained all of this so many times, just don’t believe ANYTHING C.L.or her endless list of sidekicks, such as : Everett True; Charles Cross; Christopher Sanford;, etc…..

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Your complete Kurt Cobain reading guide: Journals, biographies, and more

Reading to remember

On the 25th anniversary of Kurt Cobain 's death, HarperCollins ' Ecco published Serving the Servant , a fascinating biography of the Nirvana frontman by none other than Danny Goldberg, the band's iconic manager. ( Available for purchase. ) The book works to reframe Cobain's legacy by blending Goldberg's memories with information and files that have previously not been public. As Cobain is remembered, it's vital reading—though hardly the only book out there worth your time. Here, EW has rounded up the essential Cobain reading list.

Journals by Kurt Cobain

Arranged in close chronological order and kept in their rawest form, Journals is a necessary read for any Cobain fan: a collection of his writings, from scrapped notes and letter drafts to wild sketches and shopping lists, which offer unparalleled access into his interior life. The No. 1 New York Times best-seller was originally published in 2002. "The publication of this unintentional autobiography of the famously talented and infamously troubled artist is a vast leap in the mythologizing and marketing of Kurt Cobain," EW wrote at the time of release. "And the journey from Cobain's hands to a store near you involves healthy measures of the serendipitous and the surreal."

Heavier Than Heaven by Charles R. Cross

Charles R. Cross' definitive biography of Cobain traces his life story via more than 400 interviews and intimate access to the Nirvana frontman's private journals and lyrics. Despite its breadth and close sourcing, Heavier Than Heaven drew criticism for Cross' subjective account of Cobain's final hours.

Love & Death: The Murder of Kurt Cobain by Max Wallace and Ian Halperin

This 2004 best-selling book, co-written by Ian Halperin and Max Wallace, arrived as a controversial work of investigative journalism. Drawing on dozens of hours of conversation audiotapes obtained by the authors, Love & Death makes the argument that Cobain was murdered, with his then-wife Courtney Love a potential conspirator. The book is a product of a rigorous decade-long process for Halperin and Wallace.

Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck by Brett Morgen

A companion to the HBO documentary of the same name, Montage of Heck includes extensive interviews, gorgeous animation stills, and previously-unseen photography as filmmaker Brett Morgen put on screen. It doesn't shed a ton of new light on Cobain, but it's perfect reading for those who've yet to check out the heartbreaking, illuminating documentary.

Godspeed by Barnaby Legg & Jim McCarthy & Flameboy

This explicit, starkly visual homage to Cobain combines biographical details with interpretations of the artist's internal struggles. Barnaby Legg and Jim McCarthy constructed their story accordingly, while the vivid, nightmarishly provocative art came courtesy of Flameboy.

Kurt Cobain: The Last Session by Jesse Frohman & Glenn O'Brien & Jon Savage

Get inside of Cobain's final photoshoot with Nirvana, which took place in August 1993. In The Last Session , 90 stunning photographs present a dazzling final visual memory of the man, capturing him in a plethora of extreme, intense emotional states.

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Kurt Cobain

Kurt cobain quick links.

Kurt Cobain (born 20th February 1967; died 5th April 1994) was the frontman of American grunge band Nirvana.

Net Worth: Kurt Cobain had a net worth of $100 million at the time of his death according to Celebrity Net Worth.

Childhood:  Kurt Cobain was born in Aberdeen, Washington. His parents were waitress Wendy and mechanic Donald Cobain, but they divorced when Cobain was just seven, with Wendy remarrying into a particularly abusive relationship. Cobain had a lot of musical relatives and proved to be a competent artist at a young age. He first began to play piano at the age of four. His behaviour became increasingly volatile as he was growing up and ended up leaving high school and becoming homeless for a time. He worked at a nearby Polynesian coastal resort for a while, and started dating Tracy Marander. After their relationship ended, he began a relationship with Tobi Vail of riot grrrl band Bikini Kill though their relationship was strained. 

Career: Kurt Cobain formed Nivana in 1987, with a frequently changing line-up that ended with Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic, the latter of whom co-foundered the band. Cobain struggled with the fact that they weren't pulling huge crowds before the release of their debut album 'Bleach' in 1989, released through grunge label Sub Pop Records. They followed that up with their 1991 number one record 'Nevermind', which was certified diamond and featured the smash hit 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'. The final album was 1993's 'In Utero'; another number one, though it received some negative reviews from critics. Singles included the controverisal 'Rape Me' and 'All Apologies'. Cobain struggled a lot with media attention, particularly criticism surrounding his music, and he was extremely vocal about his moral and political views. He was particularly firmly proud of Nirvana performing for gay rights benefit concert No-on-Nine in 1992 and he was strongly in support of pro-choice becoming involved with L7's campaign Rock for Choice.

Personal Life:  In 1992, he married Courtney Love with whom he had a child named Courtney Love. Because of their frequent drug use well-publicized by the media, Frances was taken into the care of Love's sister Jamie for some time before they were cleared by the law to have full custody. Cobain used a variety of drugs throughout his life including marijuana, LSD and later heroin. He claimed that the drug use was a way to relieve the pain from a chronic stomach condition that had not been diagnosed by a doctor. Later in his life, he began to suffer from bipolar disorder. He had a heroin overdose in 1993 before he was due to perform in New York. He didn't go to hospital, instead Love gave him a shot of Narcan to counter the effects. The second time he overdosed on March 4th 2014 was reportedly his initial suicide attempt, before he went into rehab. He left the rehab center soon after and was found in his home by an electrician with head wound and a shot gun in his hand in April.

Is ABBA... Cool? The Group’s Most Unexpected Fans Confess Their Devotion

Abba Dave Grohl Manic Street Preachers Kurt Cobain Corey Taylor

We didn't expect these rockers to be so into the Swedish pop group.

Sweden’s most iconic export Abba are set to drop their first album in 40 years, Voyage , in November, alongside an exciting six-month residency in London for a series of digital concerts. It’s safe to say there has been a frenzy of anticipation from fans. 

Since the Europop group reunited, all kinds of unexpected people have come out of the woodwork to express their admiration for what some might call a rather cheesy pop group. As it turns out, a lot of cool artists are massively into them.

Continue reading: Is ABBA... Cool? The Group’s Most Unexpected Fans Confess Their Devotion

Say No To Suicide: The Greats We Lost But Will Never Forget

Chester Bennington Ian Curtis Kurt Cobain Chris Cornell Michael Hutchence Avicii

World Suicide Prevention Day is the day to remember some of the world's greatest artists.

It doesn't matter who you are, it seems that depression will almost certainly affect your life in some way. Whether its your own struggles or those of a friend, mental health issues are extremely common. On World Suicide Prevention Day , we look at the ultimate worst case scenario of such problems - and for the music world, that has meant the loss of some of the most remarkable talents of our time.

1. Ian Curtis (1956 - 1980)

The Joy Division frontman was just 23 when he took his own life, and just two albums into his career. He had been suffering from depression as well as increasing anxiety surrounding his epilepsy, which he felt would prevent him from being able to perform onstage. His wife Deborah discovered his body in their home on the eve of their debut North American tour. He also left behind a baby daughter named Natalie.

Continue reading: Say No To Suicide: The Greats We Lost But Will Never Forget

Kurt Cobain's Daughter Frances Bean Cobain Confesses Addiction Struggles

Kurt Cobain Frances Bean Cobain

She reveals that she has been sober for two years.

Frances Bean Cobain has made the brave move of informing her social media followers of her past struggle with substance abuse, as she celebrates two years of being completely sober. She's had a difficult few months with her divorce proceedings, but she seems to be in a peaceful place at the moment.

The 25-year-old share a brief clip of herself on Instagram enjoying the glorious Hawaii weather, captioning it with a long post about her battle with addiction. She managed to get clean in 2016, something that she describes as 'the best decision I have ever made'.

Continue reading: Kurt Cobain's Daughter Frances Bean Cobain Confesses Addiction Struggles

Dave Grohl Says Nirvana Drew People In

Dave Grohl Nirvana Kurt Cobain

Dave Grohl has said a big part of grunge legends Nirvana's appeal was connecting with fans and drawing them in due to how people related to their music.

Dave Grohl has hailed Nirvana 's relatable music as a huge reason for the band's success and enduring popularity.

The 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' rocker joined the grunge outfit - completed by Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic - in 1990, a year after the release of debut album 'Bleach', and he connected with the group after seeing how he built a rapport with their fan base.

In 'Visit Seattle', Grohl has reflected on travelling to the city to audition for Nirvana, and the first time he saw them live in front of 1,200 people at a club.

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Kurt Cobain Left Frances Bean Cobain Raking In $95K A Month

Her earnings from his estate are revealed in divorce proceedings.

Kurt Cobain 's daughter may only have been a year old when he died, but she's still earning a fortune from his publicity rights. With Frances Bean Cobain 's divorce proceedings well under way, it has been revealed just what she earns from her father's estate alone.

The Nirvana frontman committed suicide at just 27-years-old leaving behind an impressive legacy of music that people are still avidly listening to more than twenty years later. In fact, he and his music remain so iconic that 25-year-old Frances earns $95,496 a month from his publicity rights and $6,784 in dividends - at least those were her earnings between July 2016 and June 2017.

Continue reading: Kurt Cobain Left Frances Bean Cobain Raking In $95K A Month

Nirvana Respond To The Latest 'Kurt Cobain Is Alive!' Conspiracy Theory

Nirvana Kurt Cobain Dave Grohl Courtney Love Frances Bean Cobain

A theory earlier this week suggested the frontman is still alive and now playing the guitar right-handed.

Nirvana ’s official Facebook page have responded to the latest internet conspiracy theory that suggests frontman Kurt Cobain is still alive, over 20 years after his death. The bizarre theory emerged online this week after a video circulated of a Peruvian singer who bore a resemblance to Cobain, performing ‘Come As You Are’.

In the video from 2012, singer Ramiro Saavedra was seen performing the track from Nevermind on Peruvian talent show ‘Yo Soy’. Thanks to his blonde hair, sunglass and Cobain-style outfit, Saavedra bore enough of a resemblance to Cobain for some fans to suggest that it actually was the singer, who died in 1994.

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'Smells Like Teen Spirit': The 25th Anniversary Of Nirvana's Stellar Hit

Nirvana Kurt Cobain

It will be 25 years tomorrow since the single was released to the world.

Tomorrow marks the 25th anniversary of the release of one of the greatest rock songs of all time; Nirvana 's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'. Their third single, it was the record that defined everything that this iconic grunge band were all about, and continues to define music to this day. 

'Smells Like Teen Spirit' became an unexpected seminal hit when it was released on September 10th 1991 as the lead single from Nirvana's second album 'Nevermind'. Noted for its catchy hook and particularly unintelligible lyrics, this Platinum certified belter is without doubt Nirvana's biggest tune and is widely regarded as a kind of 'teen revolution anthem'. Now, 25 years later, it's still just as relevant and still dwarfs many other rock songs that have attempted to supercede it.

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Frances Bean Cobain Files For Divorce From Husband Isaiah Silva After 21 Months

Frances Bean Cobain Courtney Love Kurt Cobain

She's also reportedly trying to ensure Silva has no claim on her father's $450 million estate.

Frances Bean Cobain has filed for divorce from her husband of 21 months, Isaiah Silva, it has been reported.

The Los Angeles Superior Court has confirmed that Frances has split from her husband, the 31 year old frontman of rock group The Eeries. Their separation date is listed as February 24th, 2016, less than two years after they got married in June 2014.

Continue reading: Frances Bean Cobain Files For Divorce From Husband Isaiah Silva After 21 Months

Photos Of Kurt Cobain Suicide Shotgun Released By Seattle Police

Kurt Cobain Nirvana

22 years after Cobain's suicide, the shotgun he used has been seen for the first time by the public.

Police in Seattle have released photographs of the shotgun that Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain used to commit suicide more than twenty years ago.

In five images posted to the website of the Seattle Police Department, cold case detective Mike Ciesynski is shown holding the long 20-gauge shotgun at a number of different angles. The photos were taken back in June 2015 and placed on the department’s computer system on March 3rd this year, to be added to the investigative file.

Continue reading: Photos Of Kurt Cobain Suicide Shotgun Released By Seattle Police

Kurt Cobain's 'MTV Unplugged' Cardigan Sells For $140,000 At Auction

Kurt Cobain Nirvana Dave Grohl Frances Bean Cobain

The green cardigan was made famous after it was worn during the recording of Nirvana’s 'MTV: Unplugged In New York' special.

The green cardigan worn by Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain during the band’s 1993 'MTV: Unplugged In New York' special has sold at an auction in California for $140,000. The iconic item of clothing sold for nearly twice the highest estimated price during the rock memorabilia-themed auction on November 7th.

The auction was held at Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles and also featured memorabilia from Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson. The cardigan was initially expect to fetch between $60,000 and $80,000.

Continue reading: Kurt Cobain's 'MTV Unplugged' Cardigan Sells For $140,000 At Auction

Date of birth

20th February, 1967

Date of death

5th April, 1994

Kurt Cobain's 'MTV Unplugged' Cardigan Sells For $140,000 At Auction

Kurt Cobain's Iconic Cardigan Up For Auction

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Kurt Cobain

July 29, 2024 Francis 0

Mahesh Sridharan, via flickr.

Stage Name: Kurt Cobain

Birth Name: Kurt Donald Cobain

Place of Birth: Aberdeen, Washington, USA.

Date of Birth: February 20, 1967

Died: April 5, 1954 (12 years)

Years Lived: 1967 - 1954

Genres: Alternative Rock , Grunge , Punk Rock

Birth and Family

First encounters with music, early bands or groups, debut release, significant performances, major albums and hits, awards and recognition, collaborations, relationships, philanthropy, genre and style, impact on music, continued success, retirement or passing, posthumous releases and tributes, summary of impact, early life and background.

Kurt Donald Cobain was born on February 20, 1967, in Aberdeen, Washington, USA. He was the son of Donald Leland Cobain, an automotive mechanic, and Wendy Elizabeth Fradenburg Cobain, a waitress. He had one younger sister, Kimberly.

Kurt’s childhood was marked by instability and difficulties, particularly after his parents’ divorce when he was nine years old. This event had a profound impact on him and influenced his music and lyrics. Kurt found solace in music and art, often drawing and playing instruments.

Kurt attended Aberdeen High School but struggled academically and socially, eventually dropping out before graduating. Despite this, he was deeply immersed in music from a young age, learning to play the guitar and drums. His early exposure to bands like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and the Beatles shaped his musical tastes and ambitions.

Musical Beginnings

Kurt received his first guitar at the age of 14, and it quickly became his primary means of expression. He began writing songs and formed several short-lived bands during his teenage years.

In 1985, Kurt formed the band Fecal Matter with his friend Dale Crover. Though the band didn’t last long, it set the stage for his future musical endeavors. In 1987, he co-founded Nirvana with bassist Krist Novoselic. They played local gigs and began to develop their signature sound.

Career Breakthrough

Nirvana gained attention in the Seattle music scene and signed with independent record label Sub Pop in 1988. Their debut album, Bleach (1989), received critical acclaim in the underground music community. However, it was their signing with DGC Records and the release of Nevermind (1991) that catapulted them to international fame.

Nevermind featured the iconic single “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” which became a massive hit and a defining anthem of the grunge movement. The album’s success brought Nirvana and Kurt Cobain into the spotlight, making them one of the most influential bands of the early 1990s.

Nirvana’s performances were known for their raw energy and intensity. Notable early performances include their 1991 Reading Festival show and their appearance on MTV’s Unplugged in 1993, which showcased a different, more intimate side of the band.

Rise to Fame

Following Nevermind , Nirvana released In Utero (1993), which was both a critical and commercial success. Songs like “Heart-Shaped Box” and “All Apologies” solidified their place in rock history. Both albums are considered landmarks in the grunge genre.

Kurt Cobain and Nirvana received numerous awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album for MTV Unplugged in New York (1994). They also won several MTV Video Music Awards and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.

While Kurt primarily focused on Nirvana, he collaborated with other artists within the grunge scene, including members of bands like Melvins and Mudhoney. His influence extended beyond music, impacting the fashion and culture of the 1990s.

Personal Life

Kurt Cobain married Courtney Love, the lead singer of the band Hole, in 1992. They had one daughter, Frances Bean Cobain, born later that year. Their relationship was highly publicized and often tumultuous, marked by both deep affection and significant struggles.

Kurt struggled with chronic health issues, including severe stomach pain, which contributed to his substance abuse problems. He battled depression and addiction, which greatly affected his personal life and career.

While Kurt was not widely known for philanthropy during his life, his music often addressed social issues such as anti-commercialism, women’s rights, and LGBTQ+ advocacy. His legacy continues to inspire charitable efforts, including those supported by his daughter and former bandmates.

Musical Style and Influence

Kurt Cobain’s music is primarily classified under Grunge, Alternative Rock, and Punk Rock. His style was characterized by its raw, emotional intensity, heavy use of distortion, and introspective, often angst-ridden lyrics.

Kurt was influenced by a wide range of artists, including punk bands like the Sex Pistols and the Melvins, classic rock acts like Led Zeppelin and the Beatles, and indie bands like Pixies and Sonic Youth.

Kurt Cobain’s impact on music is profound. He helped bring grunge and alternative rock to the mainstream, influencing countless bands and artists. His songwriting and unique voice left an indelible mark on the music industry and continue to resonate with new generations of musicians and fans.

Later Career and Legacy

Even after the massive success of Nevermind , Kurt continued to push creative boundaries with Nirvana’s subsequent releases. In Utero showcased a rawer, more abrasive sound that was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful.

Kurt Cobain tragically passed away on April 5, 1994, at the age of 27, due to suicide. His death was a significant loss to the music world and marked the end of Nirvana.

Following Kurt’s death, several posthumous releases have been made, including the live album MTV Unplugged in New York and the compilation album Nirvana . Tributes to Kurt include numerous documentaries, books, and tribute concerts celebrating his life and legacy.

Discography

• Bleach (1989) – Sub Pop
• Nevermind (1991) – DGC Records
• In Utero (1993) – DGC Records
• MTV Unplugged in New York (1994, posthumous) – DGC Records
• From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah (1996, posthumous) – DGC Records
• “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (1991)
• “Come as You Are” (1992)
• “Lithium” (1992)
• “In Bloom” (1992)
• “Heart-Shaped Box” (1993)
• “All Apologies” (1993)

Collaborations : Kurt’s collaborations were mostly within the grunge scene, working with bands like Melvins and Mudhoney.

Kurt Cobain’s impact on music and culture is immense. He brought grunge to the forefront of popular music and influenced a generation of musicians with his raw, emotional style and thought-provoking lyrics. His work continues to inspire and resonate with fans worldwide.

Kurt Cobain is remembered as a pivotal figure in rock music, a voice for the disenfranchised, and an icon of the 1990s. His music and legacy endure through his recordings, the ongoing influence of Nirvana, and the countless artists who cite him as an inspiration.

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Kurt Cobain

Personal life

Discography, kurt cobain: biography.

Kurt Cobain was the American singer, songwriter, musician, and artist who became the iconic figure thanks to his membership in the rock group Nirvana.

Kurt Donald Cobain was born in February 1967 in Aberdeen, not far from Seattle. The future star’s father Donald Leland Cobain was an automotive mechanic, and the mother Wendy Elizabeth (née Fradenburg) worked as a teacher and became a waitress in a bar later. Other relatives also took care of the boy. When Kurt was three, his younger sister Kimberly was born.

Kurt showed the interest in music at the age of 2. The boy liked The Beatles and The Monkees and frequented his uncle’s and aunt’s rehearsals in the country ensemble.

When the would-be star turned seven, his aunt Mari Earl gave him the children’s drum set as a birthday present.

In a while, Kurt got found of AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Joy Division, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, and Kiss.

When the boy was eight, he had to suffer from his parents’ divorce; this event had a negative influence on his mind and further behavior. From that time, Kurt became a cynic and aggressive loner. For some period, he lived with his mother but later moved to his father in Montesano. Soon, Cobain’s uncle committed suicide; the boy loved him very much.

After the divorce, the father married Jenny Westby. The teenager could not find the common language with his stepmother and left his house to stay with his relatives.

At 14, Cobain learned how to play the guitar; the member of The Beachcombers Warren Mason became his first teacher.

As the young man finished school, he led a vagabond life for some period and stayed with his friends. Later, he found a job. In 1986, Kurt Cobain was arrested for eight days for trespassing and alcohol drinking.

In 1985, Kurt Cobain founded the group Fecal Matter which had seven songs in its repertory but released no album and broke up. Still, this experience contributed to the musician’s further career.

In the course of time, Kurt’s friend Krist Novoselic offered to create a new rock group. The drummer Chad Channing joined the team soon. The musicians could not find the suitable group name: they used to be Skid Row, Ted Ed Fred, Bliss, and Pen Cap Chew. Eventually, the name Nirvana was chosen.

In 1988, the group’s single “Love Buzz/Big Cheese” was presented, and the debuting album Bleach came out the next year. Kurt Cobain performed songs where punk and pop styles combined.

1991 brought the global fame: the album Nevermind was released, and the hit “Smells Like Teen Spirit” became the hymn of the whole generation. After this song, millions of the album copies were sold out.

There were thousand devoted fans on Nirvana concerts. The musician tried to be identified with independent rock, so he made the next work In Utero (1993) gloomy and dark on purpose. The album did not become popular but took top chart positions. “About a Girl,” “You Know You’re,” “All Apologies,” “Rape Me,” “In Bloom,” “Lithium,” “Heart-Shaped Box,” and “Come As You Are” became the most successful songs; these music videos continue to be popular all over the world.

Fans also appreciated The Beatles cover “And I Love Her.” In his interview, Kurt marked he liked to listen to this group in his childhood.

In late 1980s, the group Nirvana was created. Kurt mentioned he was looking for the name which would be beautiful and pleasant.

In 1991, the single “Smells Like Teen Spirit” came out and conquered the world’s music charts. Nirvana surpassed even the legendary Guns N' Roses.

Cobain felt uncomfortable because of his fame: he was irritated he was the icon of masses. However, the media called Nirvana the “flagship band of Generation X.”

Kurt Cobain met his future wife in 1990 at a concert in Portland club; both musicians were performing with their groups. Courtney mentioned she had noticed Cobain in 1989 when Nirvana was giving a concert; she showed her interest, but the man ignored her.

Later, the musician explained his behavior: he wanted to be a bachelor for a little longer.

Finally, the young people began to see each other. At the beginning of 1992, Courtney learned she was pregnant. In February of that year, Kurt married his girlfriend.

The wedding ceremony took place on the Hawaiian beach Waikiki. While Cortney Love was wearing the dress that Frances Farmer used to wear (the newlyweds adored this actress), Kurt Cobain was too lazy to wear a suit, so he appeared in his pajamas.

On August 18, 1992, the couple’s daughter Frances Bean Cobain was born.

Kurt Cobain had health issues from the very childhood. He had several diagnoses including the manic-depressive psychosis; as a result, he was taking psychostimulants. In addition, young Kurt began to use drugs and got addicted. The fact that there were alcohol abusers and mental patients in Cobain’s family also complicated the situation: two uncles from the fraternal line had committed suicide.

After experiments with many drug substances, Kurt Cobain switched to heroin. In 1993, the star had a massive heroin overdose. A fortnight before the suicide, the musician’s friends convinced him to undergo a rehab course, but Cobain ran away the next day.

The singer’s body was found on April 8, 1994, in his own house. The electrician Gary Smith who was going to install an alarm system saw the musician through a glass door. Initially, he thought the man was sleeping, but he noticed blood and the gun then.

Taking into account the previous overdose incidents, the police prepared the report according to which the musician overdosed on heroin and shot himself with a gun. A suicidal note was found near Cobain’s body. Thus, it was announced suicide caused his death. However, some fans still believe Kurt Cobain was murdered.

The deceased idol’s image still haunts fans. After Cobain’s death, many directors presented movies about his life and art. The audience particularly liked the movie Kurt & Courtney released in 1997. The creators tried to interpret the reasons for the star’s death. Later, the movie The Last 48 Hours of Kurt Cobain came out; in 2015, the documentary Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck was released. This story turned out to be truthful: the Nirvana members and Kurt’s relatives provided the directors with many unpublished materials.

Thousands of fans wished to attend their icon’s funeral. The public ceremony took place on April 10, 1994. Kurt’s body was cremated, and his ashes were divided into three parts.

In 2013, the media reported the house where Cobain grew up was going to be sold: the legendary musician’s mother announced that decision.

After the musician’s death, his diary became popular; there were letters and notes from 1980 to1994 there.

The American singer’s quotes became as legendary as his songs.

• “I was tired of pretending that I was someone else just to get along with people, just for the sake of having friendships.”
• “I’m a spokesman for myself. It just so happens that there’s a bunch of people that are concerned with what I have to say.”
• “Drugs are a waste of time. They destroy your memory and your self-respect and everything that goes along with your self-esteem. They're no good at all.”
• “It’s better to burn out than fade away.”
• “I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.”

Studio albums:

Concert albums:

• MTV Unplugged in New York
• From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah
• Live at Reading

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Kurt Cobain's Tragic Real-Life Story

Kurt Cobain famously said , "My story is exactly the same as 90 percent of everyone my age." With all due respect, he was wrong. Yes, many people his age came from unhappy homes and brimmed with impotent unrest. But how many of them could turn their discontent into trenchant lyrics and sing like a chain-smoking angel? How many became the face of grunge and fronted Nirvana, a band that defined the 1990s and is widely considered one of the greatest bands ever?

Something in the way Cobain expressed himself transcended words, which is why when he took his own life at the age of 27 , the world knew it had lost a great artist. That's also why his story has been passionately examined and debated over the years, and why it's being revisited here. Obviously, everything can't be covered. In fact, it's unclear what "everything" is. As Cobain's longtime friend Buzz Osborne remarked , "It matters very little what the facts are; what matters is what people believe . And when it comes to Cobain, most of what they believe is fabricated nonsense." Here's an honest portrayal of the man and the misery behind one of rock's most mythologized tragedies.

And if you wouldn't mind I would like to lose

When Kurt Cobain was in junior high, he joined his school's wrestling team, not because he wanted to but because his father Don Cobain pressured him to. According to People , Cobain hated sports. He also hated hunting, school, his life, and his hometown of Aberdeen, Washington, which he said was "full of bigoted rednecks." During an important wrestling match, he decided to push back. While his father sat in the audience, Cobain simply let himself get pinned.

For years Cobain had been fiercely uncooperative. Deemed hyperactive as a child, he received Ritalin to help him concentrate and took sedatives to fight the insomnia caused by the Ritalin. Cobain's surlier side emerged when he was 8. That's when his parents divorced. Before his folks split, Cobain was an upbeat kid who sang Beatles tunes and drew pictures. Afterward, he still drew pictures, but he captioned them "Mom Sucks" and "Dad Sucks."

School also sucked. A friend later said Cobain "stood out like a turd in a punch bowl." He dyed his hair "wild colors" and sometimes spat at "jock types" who sometimes beat him up. Per the Independent , Cobain recalled that many of his peers thought he was gay because he hung out with girls and gay people and had a hard time finding male friends. Cobain wasn't gay, but he wished he was "just to piss off homophobes."

I'm a negative creep and I'm stoned

Growing up, Kurt Cobain got ping-ponged between his parents and lived with various other relatives because nobody knew quite how to handle him. His deep-seated hurt drove him to lash out, smoke pot, and ultimately quit school, though, as NME points out , even if he had stayed in school, he would have failed to graduate. He also failed to find a job, so his mom kicked him out.

Cast adrift, Cobain got by (and probably high) with a little help from his friends. He slept on their couches and in the backs of vans. He landed and lost jobs intermittently, even working part-time at a janitor at his high school. Legend has it that Cobain also slept under a bridge, though his buddy Buzz Osborne called that story a load of fecal matter. Coincidentally, Fecal Matter was also the name of a punk band Cobain formed in 1985 and which Osborne later joined.

Fecal Matter marked an improvement in Cobain's circumstances. He formed the group after moving in with an aunt whose home doubled as a music studio, and his band served as an emotional outlet and an opportunity for 18-year-old Cobain to hone his songwriting abilities. He would form and dissolve other bands, but Fecal Matter was what made future Nirvana bandmate Krist Novoselic interested in working with Cobain.

With the lights out it's less dangerous

Many people view Kurt Cobain as a fragile-hearted poet who shattered under the pressure of undesired fame. It's a compelling narrative, but Time argues  there's more to the story. Nirvana's ex-manager Danny Goldberg said Cobain "definitely wanted to be famous" and "worked assiduously" to build Nirvana's popularity. Moreover, Cobain's emotional fissures started showing years before Nirvana rocketed to superstardom with its 1991 album "Nevermind."

In 1989 Cobain had a nervous breakdown while performing in Rome. As detailed by Rolling Stone , Nirvana was promoting its first album, "Bleach," when Cobain suddenly smashed his guitar, ascended a dangerously high stack of amps, and threatened to jump. He was dissuaded from doing so but seemed intent on splitting up the band.

The documentary "Montage of Heck" has suggested that the singer attempted suicide as a teenager by lying across train tracks, which Cobain described in an audiotape he made in 1988. Multiple people who knew the musician, including Nirvana's Krist Novoselic, Cobain's wife Courtney Love, and former schoolmate Buzz Osborne have expressed doubts that it actually occurred, and documentary creator Brett Morgan acknowledged that his goal was to present "an emotional truth." However, the facts suggest that Cobain struggled with suicidal ideation long before his spotlight turned incandescent.

If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

I've been locked inside your heart-shaped box

According to the book "Heavier Than Heaven" (via The Daily Beast ), one of rock's most beloved men "first locked eyes" with one of rock's most hated women at a nightclub in Oregon in 1990, "and within 30 seconds they were tussling on the floor." Nirvana was booked to play, and Courtney Love had a friend with personal ties to the opening act. Love took a playful jab at Kurt Cobain's appearance, and he retaliated with flirtatious wrestling (literally).

For Cobain, it was lust at first sight. Love became infatuated after listening to Nirvana's music and taking the time to notice "how cute Kurt was." They met again in 1991 and discovered they both enjoyed guzzling cough syrup. Love would later say they "bonded over pharmaceuticals." Before long, they bonded physically, and in February 1992, they got married on a cliff in Waikiki. Several months later, Love gave birth to their daughter. The rest is hearsay.

Cobain characterized his relationship with Love as a union of opposites, "like Evian water and battery acid." Many call it a case of fly meets spider, with Love as the conniving arachnid. However, Michael Azerrad, who wrote the Nirvana biography "Come As You Are," cast doubt on that assessment — "Kurt had a very strong will and was not easily pushed around. Unless you can do a Vulcan mind meld with Courtney, I would think twice about second-guessing her motives."

In her false witness

Nirvana's third and final studio album, "In Utero," contains a track referencing 1930s actress Frances Farmer. Per NME , Kurt Cobain likened himself to Farmer, partly because of the negative press they both received. Perhaps he also compared the actress to Courtney Love , who married Cobain while wearing a dress once owned by Farmer and who received so much unflattering coverage that Cobain threatened to end Nirvana.

As the Los Angeles Times describes , in 1992 rumors emerged that Cobain was at death's door after overdosing on drugs. The singer mocked the gossip during a United Kingdom music festival by wearing a wig and a hospital gown and feigning collapse. When addressing claims made about his wife, he was far less flippant, telling the audience, "There have been some pretty extreme things written about us and especially my wife. She thinks everybody hates her now."

On September 1, two days after the festival, Vanity Fair published an article insinuating that Love got her husband hooked on heroin and heavily implying that she used the drug while pregnant with their daughter, Frances. As a result, Frances was briefly taken from the couple, notes Biography . (Love eventually admitted to taking heroin before realizing she was pregnant.) Horrified, Cobain wrote a letter to boss David Geffen in which he decried the Vanity Fair piece as "a crucifixion" and voiced his desire to exit the sour limelight. As Cobain emphatically put it, "f**k Nirvana."

I own my own pet virus

Heroin users often say the drug gives them an intense "rush" of pleasure. But Kurt Cobain claimed he turned to the drug for one of its other known effects — pain reduction. As reported by Billboard , in a 1992 diary entry he attributed his heroin abuse to an "uncomfortable stomach condition" that physicians couldn't identify.

The singer had recently left rehab and apparently felt the need to respond to concerned admirers. As if trying to downplay his addiction he wrote, "So after protein drinks, becoming a vegetarian, exercise, stopping smoking, and doctor after doctor I decided to relieve my pain with small doses of heroine [sic] for a walloping 3 whole weeks." However, according to his friend Buzz Osborne , the singer told him "there was absolutely nothing wrong with his stomach" and that he invented an ailment "for sympathy and so he could use it as an excuse to stay loaded."

It's worth noting that Cobain was loath to confirm his substance abuse publicly because he feared his fans and eventually his daughter might imitate him. That might explain why he made a point of discouraging heroin use in his journal entry: "It was a stupid thing to do and I'll never do it again and I feel real sorry for anyone who thinks they can use heroine [sic] as a medicine because um, duh, it don't work."

If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

And I swear that I don't have a gun

Even casual fans of Nirvana may have noticed the band's biggest hit, "Smells Like Teen Spirit," mentions guns ("Load up on guns, bring your friends"). Firearms also notably appear in " In Bloom " ("And he likes to shoot his gun") and " Come As You Are " ("And I swear that I don't have a gun/No I don't have a gun"). While it's obviously a stretch to call those lines foreshadowing or anything close to it, Kurt Cobain's lyrics sometimes provided insights into his experiences and inner turmoil, and guns featured prominently in his life.

According to the Independent , as a teen Cobain witnessed his mother threaten his stepfather with a rifle before tossing his gun collection into the river. Cobain snagged the guns and sold them to purchase his first amp. Firearms also caused strife in Cobain's marriage, as Courtney Love didn't want guns in their home. In 1993 that disagreement sparked an ugly exchange that ended with Nirvana's lead singer getting hauled off to jail.

Per the Seattle Times , police arrested Cobain for allegedly pushing Love to the floor and choking her during an argument about guns he had recently purchased. Love would later deny being assaulted, but she told officers at the scene that Cobain attacked her. Plus, she had scratches from an apparent struggle. Nearly a year later, authorities would return when Cobain threatened to shoot himself .

Overdo it and have a fit

For years Kurt Cobain's friends and family watched him dive deeper and deeper into heroin addiction and depression. They tried with all their might to pull him ashore, but he refused to be rescued.

Per Rolling Stone , between 1992 and 1994, Cobain faced a string of self-made adversities. When his daughter was briefly taken from him by child services over his and Courtney Love's heroin use, he got her back and then got back on heroin within weeks. Over the ensuing months he had multiple domestic disputes interspersed with overdoses and suicidal threats.

In the final days of his life Cobain "was out of his mind on heroin," according to Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic (via NME ). For weeks leading up to the end, he'd been building to a sad crescendo. In March, the singer had seemingly attempted suicide while in Rome. Nirvana had hit the pause button on a hectic European tour, per Rolling Stone . Instead of heading home, Cobain checked into a five-star hotel and ingested a lot of tranquilizer pills. He lived, but not long after returning to his Seattle home, he locked himself in a room with a revolver and said he would squeeze the trigger. Authorities removed the firearms from Cobain's home, but two weeks later he convinced a friend to help him buy a shotgun, claiming he needed it for home security.

All apologies

Those close to Kurt Cobain fought desperately to save him from himself. Ex-Nirvana manager Danny Goldberg sent him to "innumerable doctors and therapists" (via Rolling Stone ). Courtney Love, Nirvana members and managers, Cobain's mom, and other worried relatives staged an intervention. In a last-ditch effort, Love invited Cobain to join her in Los Angeles for rehab. None of it worked. For a moment, there was a faint glimmer of hope, as he traveled to Los Angeles and entered a treatment facility. He escaped two days later, apparently by hopping a 6-foot wall. Several days later he was dead.

An electrician would find his body on April 8. Lying across his body was a shotgun. Among the items discovered at the scene was a note in which the singer revealed that his passion for music had evaporated, adding that "it's better to burn out than to fade away." Cobain's final words were reserved for his wife and child — "I love you, I love you."

If she floats then she is not a witch

When Kurt Cobain died, some fans not only mourned the loss but fixated on it to the point that his death gained its own fandom. That macabre fixation became so fashionable that two decades after the Nirvana front man ended his life, people printed his suicide note on T-shirts and sold them on eBay and Etsy. Cobain also became prime fodder for conspiracy theorists, who insisted that the rock star met a suspicious end .

Seemingly unwilling or unable to accept the thought of him succumbing to mental illness, a vocal contingent of armchair sleuths pointed the finger at Courtney Love. A 2015 docudrama pretty much accused her of murdering her husband. In 2014 The Guardian reported that her estranged father implicated her in Cobain's death while trying to market a book he wrote about her.

The circus sideshow surrounding Cobain's death became a horror movie when conspiracy theorist Richard Lee entered the picture. According to Love , he "stalked and harassed" her and her family "for many, many years." Lee, who apparently spent 23 years trying to solve Cobain's suicide, even sued to have graphic images of the singer's body released for public consumption. Thankfully, he failed.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website .

I miss you, I'm not gonna crack

Frances Bean Cobain was just 20 months old when her father died. Despite barely being raised by Kurt Cobain, Frances grew up seeing him everywhere. "I was around 15 when I realized he was inescapable," she told Rolling Stone . "Even if I was in a car and had the radio on, there's my dad." She would end up marrying a man who was so obsessed with her father that he attempted to look like Kurt Cobain and even took possession of Kurt Cobain's guitar when he and Frances divorced.

Understandably, years of being inundated with reminders of a father she couldn't remember took a toll. It probably didn't help that she lived in 27 homes in 25 years and quit high school in 10th grade. "I defaced my room, all the walls and doors and ceiling," Frances later recalled . She also turned to drugs to ease her pain.

In 2018 Frances found a more positive outlet, an art exhibit dedicated to Kurt Cobain's upbringing. Rather than retreating, she has embraced vicarious memories of her father, even quoting a phrase from his suicide note ("peace, love, empathy") in an effort to reclaim the power of the words. One can only speculate about how different her life would be if Kurt Cobain overcame his own demons, but Frances had a pretty clear idea — "I would have had a dad. And that would have been an incredible experience."

September 4, 2024

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Short Bio » Rock Singer » Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain

Kurt Donald Cobain was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and musician. Kurt Cobain was the founder of Grunge band Nirvana . He was the front man of the band. Kurt Cobain was one of the greatest rockstars the world has ever seen. He was the main reason for Nirvana’s success. It is unfortunate he committed suicide at the age of 27.

Kurt Cobain was born on February 20, 1967. He was born in Aberdeen, Washington. He was born to Wendy Elizabeth and Donald Cobain. He was of Irish, English and German descent. Kurt Cobain had a musical background. He was a talented kid. He was described to be a happy child. His parents divorced when Kurt Cobain was 7 years old. Since then he changed a lot.

He formed nirvana with schoolmate Novoselic. They formed nirvana in 1987. The band released songs in the next couple of years. They attained worldwide fame after including drummer Dave Grohl . The band became a major hit in 1991 with the release of Nevermind. With the success, they became the pioneer of Grunge music. He was the main songwriter for the band. He co-wrote classics like Smells Like Teen Spirit, Come as You Are, Lithium and All Apologies. Smells Like Teen Spirit is regarded as the band’s best song. Kurt Cobain’s death ended the Seattle grunge band Nirvana. The band sold multi million copies of their songs. Kurt Cobain has made a mark on history. Nirvana had a small yet memorable run.

Kurt Cobain was addicted to drugs. Particularly he was addicted to heroin. Kurt Cobain met Courtney Love in 1990. Courtney Love, herself is a musician. The couple grew close through their mutual interest in drugs. They eventually married in 1992. Love gave birth to Frances Bean Cobain in 1992.

Duff McKagan said he met Kurton a flight. Duff also said Cobain was happy to see him. That was not a normal feeling due to Nirvana and Guns n Roses’ history. Their front men Axl Rose and Cobain hated each other. In April 8, 1994, Kurt Cobain was found dead at his home. She shot himself with a shotgun. It was reported he died three days earlier. The death was confirmed as a suicide. Cobain was under heroin influence at the time.

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Kurt Cobain

Birthday February 20 , 1967

Birth Sign Pisces

Birthplace Aberdeen, Washington, U.S.

DEATH DATE c. April 5, 1994, Seattle, Washington, U.S. (27 years old)

Nationality United States

#470 Most Popular

Kurt Cobain was an American singer, songwriter, and musician best known as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the rock band Nirvana. Born on February 20, 1967, in Aberdeen, Washington, he became a defining voice of the 1990s particularly through the grunge movement. His raw voice and deeply personal lyrics, combined with the band's dynamic music, rapidly garnered worldwide attention. His life, however, was marked by profound struggles, leading to his untimely death at the age of 27 on April 5, 1994.

Before Fame

Kurt Donald Cobain grew up in a working-class family in Aberdeen. His parents, Wendy and Donald Cobain, divorced when he was nine, profoundly affecting him and influencing much of his later work. Cobain exhibited a keen interest in music from a young age, receiving his first guitar at 14. He quickly became immersed in the punk rock scene, taking inspiration from bands such as the Sex Pistols and the Melvins. Before achieving fame with Nirvana, Cobain struggled with poverty and bouts of homelessness, working various jobs while honing his craft.

• Birthplace: Aberdeen, Washington, USA
• Date of Birth: February 20, 1967
• Height: 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 meters)
• Rolling Stone magazine ranked him among the "100 Greatest Guitarists" and "100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time."
• Nirvana's breakout hit "Smells Like Teen Spirit" helped to catapult the band to fame and is often cited as an anthem of Generation X.
• Cobain often expressed a disdain for the commercialization of music, worried that the band’s growing success was compromising his artistic integrity.

Family Life

Kurt Cobain married Courtney Love, lead singer of the band Hole, on February 24, 1992. The couple had a tumultuous relationship marked by both artistic collaborations and personal controversies. They had one child together, a daughter named Frances Bean Cobain, born on August 18, 1992. Frances has since pursued a career in visual art and modeling, sometimes referencing her father’s legacy as part of her own artistic expression.

Associated With

Apart from his iconic role in Nirvana, Cobain was closely associated with several key figures in the music industry. Charlie Love, his wife, was a significant influence and collaborator. He formed a deep friendship with Chet Helms, the promoter for The Fillmore. Cobain also drew inspiration from artists like David Bowie and John Lennon, often covering their songs in live performances. His bandmates, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl, continued to influence the music scene after Nirvana's dissolution, with Grohl going on to form Foo Fighters.

Kurt Cobain remains an enduring cultural figure, celebrated for his songwriting genius and his impact on music and pop culture. Despite his struggles, his work continues to inspire new generations, solidifying his place as a legend of modern rock music.

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The Destructive Romance of Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love

“ Courtney and Kurt are the nineties, much more talented version of Sid and Nancy,” a record executive once noted . “[Courtney's] going to be famous and [Kurt] already is, but unless something happens, they’re going to self-destruct. I know they’re both going to be big stars. I just don’t want to be a part of it.”

That was a quote taken straight from the infamous 1992 Vanity Fair story on Courtney Love, written by Lynn Hirschberg, who would go on to depict the Hole frontwoman as an obnoxious, rabble-rousing, image-obsessed opportunist who reveled in being the newly anointed Mrs. Cobain.

READ MORE: Kurt Cobain: The Inspiration and Meaning Behind Nirvana's Hit 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'

Cobain and Love got married just months after they started dating

It was just a year before the bombshell article that Love and Cobain crossed paths (There are varying reports that they briefly met in 1989 and 1990, but were officially reacquainted in 1991). Nirvana was at its peak, and Cobain was confused and depressed with the meteoric fame that came with his music. When Love re-entered his sphere, she had allegedly pursued him with dogged determination and according to numerous sources , was the one who introduced him to heroin.

Mirroring Cobain's life, their courtship was intense and brief. After four months of dating, Love was already pregnant with their daughter when they decided to wed in Honolulu, Hawaii, on February 24, 1992. The bride wore a dress previously owned by Hollywood actress Frances Farmer, while Cobain wore green flannel pajamas.

After the wedding, Cobain went into a funk. Despite Nirvana's soaring popularity, the frontman had no desire to tour and further retreated into himself.

“We went on a binge,” Love confessed to Vanity Fair in 1992. “We did a lot of drugs. We got pills and then we went down to Alphabet City and Kurt wore a hat, I wore a hat, and we copped some dope. Then we got high and went to SNL. After that, I did heroin for a couple of months.”

In 2015 Love, who at the time was promoting Montage of Heck , a biopic of Cobain, would later add: "He wanted to stay in the apartment and do heroin and paint and play his guitar. That's what he wanted to do."

They attempted to get clean before the birth of their daughter

But interlaced among the drug-fueled binges were moments of laughter and sincere affection. In never-before-seen video footage from Montage of Heck , Cobain is seen joking with Love in the bathroom, while another moment captures Love teasingly climbing on Cobain's back while singing a tune. The couple also made intermittent attempts at getting clean. In March 1992 they enrolled in separate detox programs but within days, they would check out and dive back into their addictions. (In Vanity Fair , friends told the publication that Love did heroin while pregnant.)

By the time their daughter, Frances Bean , was born that August, Cobain had briefly considered quitting the band so he could focus on fatherhood. But he didn't. And despite his good intentions, he couldn't quit his drug habits, either.

In additional footage revealed in the film, Cobain's descent into self-destruction becomes more evident. In one scene, he suddenly walks out of Frances' first birthday party. In another, he's nodding off while she's getting her first haircut. "Kurt, you don't want your daughter to see you behaving like this, on drugs," Love screams off camera. "I'm not on drugs!" Cobain claims. "I'm tired."

Cobain attempted suicide more than once

Despite their love for their daughter, the couple's marriage was also unraveling, exacerbated by their drug use. Love would later admit that the reason Cobain attempted suicide in Rome in early March 1994 was because she was considering having an affair. "He must have been psychic or something," she told TVGuide.com . "I almost did one time, and he knew it. ... I have no idea how he knew it. The plan didn't ever go anywhere. Nothing happened, but... the response to it was he took 67 Rohypnols and ended up in a coma because I thought about cheating on him. I mean, f-ck."

But Cobain's problems weren't just with Love – he was never able to quell the inner demons that stemmed from his lonely youth nor could he embrace his newfound celebrity, which he felt delegitimized his music. His world was caving in on him, and he couldn't take the pressure.

Isolated and inconsolable and under the tight grip of addiction, Cobain killed himself by a gunshot wound to the head at his Seattle home on April 5, 1994. He was 27.

“He is considered to be the rock star who didn’t want fame, the weak pathetic guy who was taken over by this controlling female, and yadda yadda," Love told Loudwire in 2015. "It kind of f--ked me up... He’s a hard act to follow. I love him and I always will.”

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Charles R. Cross, Biographer of Cobain and Hendrix, Dies at 67

He tracked the rise of grunge as the editor of the Seattle music magazine The Rocket. He also wrote acclaimed books about two of the city’s most celebrated rock luminaries.

By Alex Williams

Charles R. Cross, a Seattle music writer who edited The Rocket, a local rock bible, during the city’s grunge-era flowering in the 1990s, and who wrote acclaimed biographies of two of the city’s most venerated musical figures, Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain, died on Aug. 9 at his home in Shoreline, Wash., He was 67.

His death was announced in a statement from his family. No cause was given.

Mr. Cross was the editor of The Rocket, a biweekly magazine, from 1986 through 2000, a period when Seattle bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam redefined rock. It was considered a must-read for musicians looking to join the wave.

It would be “impossible to imagine the music or community of Seattle in the 80s and 90s without charles r. cross,” Chris Walla, a former member of Death Cab for Cutie, the critically acclaimed alternative rock band from Bellingham, Wash., wrote on social media .

Mr. Cross was also a well-known sage to fans of Bruce Springsteen: He turned his self-produced fanzine into Backstreets Magazine , a trove of Springsteen arcana that was well known to the artist himself.

At a concert in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Mr. Springsteen paid tribute to Mr. Cross, telling the audience that his “help in communicating between our band and our fans will be sorely missed” before launching into his song “Backstreets.”

Mr. Cross published the first of his nine books, “Backstreets: Springsteen, the Man and His Music,” in 1989, followed two years later by “Led Zeppelin: Heaven and Hell,” an illustrated history that he wrote with Erik Flannigan, with photographs by Neal Preston.

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