History Music / KurtCobain

Kurt Donald Cobain (February 20, 1967 – April 5, 1994) was an American musician from Aberdeen, UsefulNotes/{{Washington}} [[note]] ''not'' UsefulNotes/{{Seattle}}, though Seattle was where the band first became famous [[/note]], most notably known as the lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter of Music/{{Nirvana}}, a role that would make him the most important and influential rock star of TheNineties in the eyes of many with the mass popularization of {{grunge}} and {{alternative rock}} the band would go on to achieve.

Cobain was found dead on April 8, 1994, joining the [[Music/BrianJones long]] [[Music/JimiHendrix list]] [[Music/JanisJoplin of]] [[Music/TheDoors rock]] [[Music/AmyWinehouse legends]] who died at 27. The police concluded that he died on April 5 by suicide with a shotgun, although conspiracy theories still persist claiming otherwise. Much of the fanbase blames his widow, Music/CourtneyLove, though he had already alluded to suicide all throughout his life.

* AlmightyJanitor: Literal example. He briefly worked as a janitor after he dropped out, at his old high school no less. And at some other places like motels and even a dentist's office too after that.

* AlmightyJanitor: Literal example. He briefly worked as a janitor after he dropped out, at his old high school no less. And at some other places too after that.

* AlmightyJanitor: In a quite literal sense. He briefly worked as a janitor after he dropped out, at his old high school no less. And at some other places too after that.

* WordSaladLyrics: Kurt blatantly admitted he had been more concerned about the music than the words, even going so far as to occasionally string words together just because he thought they sounded good together, not because they meant anything special to him.

* GutturalGrowler: One of his vocal trademarks, both in singing and in talking. Although the note of talking was a bit more audible than groaning.

* TestosteronePoisoning: He wrote songs mocking macho culture, and he publicly lambasted those who [[RatedMForManly epitomized it]]. Occasionally, he'd even [[ComicallyMissingThePoint lampoon people of this type who were fans of the band despite his apathy for them]], like in "In Bloom".

Sadly, he felt his overnight success was embarrassing. He always wanted to be famous, but within alternative rock circles, not in the mainstream where people could accuse him of "selling out". He tried to do everything to avoid such connotations, even going so far as to release [[Music/InUtero an album]] meant to alienate the newer fanbase ([[SpringtimeForHitler which wound up having the opposite effect]]), but Cobain sank away further into drug addiction and depression.

Sadly, he felt his overnight success was embarrassing. He always wanted to be famous, but within alternative rock, not in the mainstream where people could accuse him of "selling out". He tried to do everything to avoid such connotations, even going so far as to release [[Music/InUtero an album]] meant to alienate the newer fanbase ([[SpringtimeForHitler which wound up having the opposite effect]]), but Cobain sank away further into drug addiction and depression.

* AllGuitarsAreStratocasters: Though Kurt's main guitars were either a Fender Jaguar or Fender Mustang, he would also play a Stratocaster at the end of a concert to either [[RockersSmashGuitars smash]] or give away to fans.

Kurt Donald Cobain (February 20, 1967 – April 5, 1994) was an American musician, most notably known as the lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter of Music/{{Nirvana}}, a role that would make him the most important and influential rock star of TheNineties in the eyes of many with the mass popularization of {{grunge}} and {{alternative rock}} the band would go on to achieve.

* RefugeInAudacity: Cobain often gave his songs themes, titles, or lines that were clearly intended to shock and alienate certain people. He also used nightmare laden imagery (with special attention given to drugs, disease, death, and human anatomy) that would repulse average listeners. Apart from that he sometimes performed in dress or flirted with homosexuality to piss off his macho homophobic fan-base. Taken UpToEleven after mainstream audience started coming to their shows once the band broke through. ''Music/InUtero'' was intentionally even noisier than ''Nevermind'' in an attempt to get some of the mainstream fans to go away, and "In Bloom" was intended as a middle finger to the type of dumbass alpha male mainstream rock fans who blindly followed them because they were blowing up.

Kurt Donald Cobain (February 20, 1967 – April 5, 1994) was an American musician, most notably the lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter of Music/{{Nirvana}}, a role that would make him the most important and influential rock star of TheNineties in the eyes of many with the mass popularization of {{grunge}} and {{alternative rock}} the band would go on to achieve.

Cobain was found dead on April 8, 1994, joining the [[Music/BrianJones long]] [[Music/JimiHendrix list]] [[Music/JanisJoplin of]] [[Music/TheDoors rock]] [[Music/AmyWinehouse legends]] who died at 27. The police concluded that he died on April 5 by suicide with a shotgun, although conspiracy theories still persist claiming otherwise. Much of the fan-base blames his widow, Music/CourtneyLove, though he had already alluded to suicide all throughout his life.

His legend remains intact to this day, and Nirvana's albums still get rediscovered by many new young rock bands. He even got respect from older rock stars such as Music/NeilYoung, Music/DavidBowie, and Music/BobDylan. He also had an OddFriendship with writer Creator/WilliamSBurroughs.

His legend remains intact to this day and Nirvana's albums still get rediscovered by many new young rock bands. He even got respect from older rock stars such as Music/NeilYoung, Music/DavidBowie and Music/BobDylan. He also had an OddFriendship with writer Creator/WilliamSBurroughs.

* AccentuateTheNegative: Many of Cobain's lyrics write about a CrapsackWorld and his personal hatred for machismo, homophobia and abuse of women.
* AllGuitarsAreStratocasters: Though Kurt's main guitars were either a Fender Jaguar or Fender Mustang, he would also play a Stratocaster at the end of a concert. To either [[RockersSmashGuitars smash]] or give away to fans.

* NiceGuy: Arguably the epitome of it: Kurt was described by a majority of people as a relatively nice, if incredibly snarky and somber guy. He in particular really wanted Dave to break out more as a musician, to say nothing about his dedication to his fans and even advocating for heavy female rights.
* RefugeInAudacity: Cobain often gave his songs themes, titles or lines that were clearly intended to shock and alienate certain people. He also used nightmare laden imagery (with special attention given to drugs, disease, death, and human anatomy) that would repulse average listeners. Apart from that he sometimes performed in dress or flirted with homosexuality to piss off his macho homophobic fan-base. Taken UpToEleven after mainstream audience started coming to their shows once the band broke through. ''Music/InUtero'' was intentionally even noisier than ''Nevermind'' in an attempt to get some of the mainstream fans to go away, and "In Bloom" was intended as a middle finger to the type of dumbass alpha male mainstream rock fans who blindly followed them because they were blowing up.

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%% * GuiltComplex: Song "Oh, The Guilt".

Sadly, he felt his overnight success was embarrassing. He always wanted to be famous, but within alternative rock, not in the mainstream where people could accuse him of "selling out". He tried to do everything to avoid such connotations, even going so far as to release [[Music/InUtero an album]] meant to alienate the newer fanbase ([[SpringtimeForHitler which wound up having the opposite effect]]), but Cobain sank away further into drug addiction and depression until he committed suicide with a shotgun on April 5, 1994, joining the [[Music/BrianJones long]] [[Music/JimiHendrix list]] [[Music/JanisJoplin of]] [[Music/TheDoors rock]] [[Music/AmyWinehouse legends]] who died at 27. Much of the fan-base blames his widow, Music/CourtneyLove, though Kurt had already alluded to suicide all throughout his life.

For a list of albums featuring Cobain, see Wiki/TheOtherWiki (or just go to the Music/{{Nirvana}} page).

Kurt Donald Cobain (February 20, 1967 – April 5, 1994) was the lead vocalist and guitarist of Music/{{Nirvana}}. He was the most important and influential rock star of TheNineties. The monster success of ''Music/{{Nevermind}}'' in 1991 launched Nirvana to the top of the charts and made {{Grunge}} and to a greater degree AlternativeRock fashionable. [[TrueArtIsAngsty Angsty songs]] with DarkerAndEdgier lyrics and sounds suddenly got a chance to leave the underground and break to the mainstream.

* TestosteronePoisoning: He wrote songs mocking macho culture, and he publicly lambasted those who [[RatedMForManly epitomized it]].

Sadly, he felt his overnight success was embarrassing. He always wanted to be famous, but within alternative rock, not in the mainstream where people could accuse him of "selling out". He tried to do everything to avoid such connotations, even going so far as to release an album meant to alienate the newer fanbase ([[SpringtimeForHitler which wound up having the opposite effect]]), but Cobain sank away further into drug addiction and depression until he committed suicide with a shotgun on April 5, 1994, joining the [[Music/BrianJones long]] [[Music/JimiHendrix list]] [[Music/JanisJoplin of]] [[Music/TheDoors rock]] [[Music/AmyWinehouse legends]] who died at 27. Much of the fan-base blames his widow, Music/CourtneyLove, though Kurt had already alluded to suicide all throughout his life.

* RefugeInAudacity: Cobain often gave his songs themes, titles or lines that were clearly intended to shock and alienate certain people. He also used nightmare laden imagery (with special attention given to drugs, disease, death, and human anatomy) that would repulse average listeners. Apart from that he sometimes performed in dress or flirted with homosexuality to piss off his macho homophobic fan-base. Taken UpToEleven after mainstream audience started coming to their shows once the band broke through. ''In Utero'' was intentionally even noisier than ''Nevermind'' in an attempt to get some of the mainstream fans to go away, and "In Bloom" was intended as a middle finger to the type of dumbass alpha male mainstream rock fans who blindly followed them because they were blowing up.

* NiceGuy: Arguably the epitome of it: Kurt was described by a majority of people are a relatively nice, if incredibly snarky and somber guy. He in particular really wanted Dave to break out more as a musician, to say nothing about his dedication to his fans and even advocating for heavy female rights.

+Music/ThePixies, Music/TheBreeders, The Vaselines, Music/MeatPuppets, Music/DanielJohnston, Music/TheStooges, Music/{{Flipper}}, The Raincoats, Music/TheShaggs, Music/BlackFlag, Music/BadBrains, Music/SonicYouth, Music/TheSexPistols, Music/PJHarvey, Music/{{Boredoms}}, Music/ShonenKnife, Music/LeadBelly, Music/PublicImageLtd, Music/TheBeatles, Music/{{ACDC}}, Music/BeatHappening, Music/DavidBowie, Music/{{Swans}}, Music/MazzyStar, Music/CelticFrost, Music/{{Melvins}}, Music/ButtholeSurfers, Music/{{MDC}}

As a teenager and twenty something he listened to a lot of PunkRock, HeavyMetal, ProtoPunk, AlternativeRock, OutsiderMusic, and regular rock bands to emulate their styles, and when Nirvana became the first of these bands to break to the mainstream, Cobain did everything he could to give his inspirations more attention in the press.

[[caption-width-right:350:The icon of a generation.]]

-->[[Music/AliceInChains '''Jerry Cantrell:''']] (chuckling) Kurt was such a shitty guitar player. But he was a great songwriter, and that's what mattered.