Kurt Donald Cobain
February 20, 1967 - April 5, 1994
Nirvana - Lead vocals, Guitar, Primary songwriter, Founding member
(along with guitarist Krist Novoselic & drummer Aaron Burkhard in Seattle in 1987)
Considered a leading figure of Generation X
(Point of intrigue - "was uncomfortable with this role")
One of the most influential rock musicians
Kurt wrote such songs as "Smells Like Teen Spirit," "Come as You Are," "Lithium," "In Bloom," "Heart-Shaped Box," "All Apologies," "About a Girl," "Aneurysm," "You Know You're Right," & "Something in the Way"
Posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 (with Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl)
Included in the Rolling Stone lists -
100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time
100 Greatest Guitarists
100 Greatest Singers of All Time
No. 7 on MTV's 22 Greatest Voices in Music
No. 20 on Hit Parader's 100 Greatest Metal Singers of All Time (2006)
Kurt Cobain's early years were positive until his parents divorced when he was nine years old. His growing years were tumultuous, especially when his father remarried. Overall, this portion of my research is worth a read on Wikipedia.
On his 14th birthday, Kurt was given a guitar. He learned to play "Stairway to Heaven" (Led Zeppelin), "Another One Bites the Dust" (Queen), "My Best Friend's Girl" (the Cars), to name a few.
Musical influences included The Beatles, especially John Lennon, as well as Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, Queen, and Kiss.
Punk rock was a genre influence on Kurt Cobain's artistic style. The 1970s British band, Sex Pistols, was an example.
Of interest in Jimi Hendrix -
"...a great musician and a great composer..." ... "I have great respect for him." - Kurt Cobain, 1993 interview
The 1980s American band, Pixies, influenced Kurt's songwriting style.
American author William S. Burroughs suggested Lead Belly, an American folk and blues singer, as a true musician compared to (at the time) current rock musicians. As Cobain noted, "...he turns out to be my absolute favorite of all time in music."
Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love were a recognized couple. Of sad interest, drug use was instilled in their relationship (a use they were noted to bond over). Courtney stated that she did heroin before she knew of being pregnant with their daughter. Their daughter, Frances Cobain, was of concern regarding the possibility of being addicted to drugs at birth because of Courtney's heroin use. The Los Angeles County Department of Children's Services declared Kurt and Courtney's drug use made them unfit parents and removed their daughter from their home in Frances's first few weeks of life.
In his later years, Kurt struggled with heroin addiction, stomach pain, and depression. He struggled with personal and professional pressures of fame. In March 1994, Kurt overdosed on champagne and Rohypnol (drug to treat severe insomnia). He drank alcohol to excess. He regularly used marijuana. He experimented with meth and cocaine when on tour. He considered heroin as a way to self-medicate his stomach pain. Although this reason was not bought by his friends.
Kurt has overdosed at least four times, with all near death.
Kurt Cobain had a family history of suicide, mental illness, and alcoholism.
On April 8, 1994, Kurt Cobain was found dead in his Seattle home from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Kurt was 27 years old.
As a side point of intrigue - In an interview in October 1992 about his sexuality, Kurt admitted that if not for Courtney, he would be bisexual. In another interview, he admitted to identifying with the gay community. In a personal journal, Kurt wrote "I am not gay, although I wish I were, just to piss off homophobes." He advocated for LGBTQ+ rights. He also noted being bullying for having a gay friend when he was in school.
Of anything said here, Kurt Cobain has had a lasting impact on the music industry, his contemporary musicians, the media, and fans. He was honored in books, film, and television.
Kurt Cobain faced a devastating reality of substantial fame, mental instability, the seemingly want of addiction if for physical reasons, and family loss. In my mind, the latter hurts the most as he was not able to see his daughter, his only child, grow up and experience her milestones.
At 27, he was just a kid in the grand scheme of life. I can only hope he found himself at his happiest age in Heaven.
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