Kurt Cobain

Kurt Donald Cobain (February 20, 1967 – ca. April 5, 1994) was the lead singer and guitarist of the American rock band, Nirvana. He served not only as the band's frontman, but as its "leader and spiritual center" {{ref|spiritualcenter}}. With the band's success, Cobain became a major national and international celebrity, an uncomfortable position for someone who claimed to be "ill at ease with fame and ill-equipped to handle the responsibility that accompanies success" {{ref|fame}}.

After Cobain's death

Writer Charles R. Cross published a biography of Cobain titled Heavier Than Heaven in 2001. In it, Cross attempted to contact as many of Cobain's friends and family as possible, and received a significant amount of input from widow Courtney Love. The book is probably the most detailed account of Cobain's life on record, and is arguably the "definitive" Cobain biography.

Related Topics:
Charles R. Cross - Biography - Heavier Than Heaven - 2001

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

However, many criticized Cross for including anything and everything related to Cobain, including details that, unbeknownst to him, were factually inaccurate. For example, Cross cited "On the Mountain" conclusively as the first working title for "You Know You're Right". In reality, "On the Mountain" was the result of an effort by fans in 1995 to decipher Dave Grohl's introduction to the song on a 1993 live recording. (When a clearer version of the recording surfaced some months later, it became clear that Grohl introduced the song as "All Apologies", since "You Know You're Right" wasn't on the written setlist that night.) Cross was also heavily criticized for including an "artist's rendering" of Kurt's final days. Cross claimed in interviews that he felt he had learned enough about Cobain to reasonably guess Cobain's state of mind in the last week of his life. Many felt that the inclusion of fiction in what was supposed to be a non-fiction book was an insult to Cobain's memory.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Cobain wrote in a journal often, leaving 22 notebooks filled with his writing when he died. In November 2002, a sampling of these 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.

Related Topics:
Journal - November - 2002 - 1980s - 1994 - 2003

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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 scribbed down lyric ideas for future reference. Upon its release, fans were conflicted about the collection. They were elated to be able to learn more about the man and read his inner thoughts in his own words, but were disturbed by what seemed to some to be an invasion of his privacy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The mythic nature of Cobain's life even captured the eyes of Hollywood. Gus Van Sant based his 2005 movie Last Days on what might have happened in the final hours of Cobain's life.

Related Topics:
Gus Van Sant - 2005 - Last Days

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Years after his passing, Cobain continues to intrigue and inspire fans. A full eight years after his death, Nirvana's final studio recording, "You Know You're Right", topped playlists worldwide, bringing a new generation of Nirvana fans. Nevermind remains a watershed in alternative music, and consistently tops "best album" lists throughout the world. Many feel that Cobain's contributions to music history have permanently changed the landscape of popular music, marking him as one of the most influential songwriters in music history — even if that was never his intention.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~