Rock Musician, Songwriter. He was the co-founder, singer, guitarist and primary songwriter for the seminal grunge band "Nirvana." Born in Aberdeen, Washington at Grays Harbor Hospital, he had an apparently happy childhood, until his parents, Donald and Wendy Fradenburg Cobain, divorced. Constantly placed with one relative after another, he became a recluse, withdrawn and anti-social in high school. In 1987, he formed the band, "Nirvana," in Aberdeen with bassist Krist Novoselic (whom he befriended through his friendship with Krist's younger brother Robert), moved to Olympia, Washington and after going through a string of drummers, they recorded their debut album, "Bleach" (1989) with drummer Chad Channing, under an independent record label, Sub Pop. In 1990, Dave Grohl joined Nirvana as their sixth and longest-serving drummer. By 1991, Nirvana had become a popular group in Great Britain, and they were signed to a contract with major label, DGC Records (founded by music mogul, David Geffen). Their next album, "Nevermind" (1991) made Nirvana successful and brought them into the popular mainstream of American "grunge" music. In February 1992, he married Hole lead singer, Courtney Love, who was already pregnant with their daughter, Frances Bean Cobain (who was born on August 18, 1992 in Los Angeles, California). Later that year, Nirvana released their next album, "Incesticide," and in September 1993, the album, "In Utero," went on to top the charts. On March 4, 1994, he was taken to the hospital in a coma, which many believed to be an unsuccessful suicide attempt. After recovery, he entered a drug rehabilitation facility, only to walk out after a few days. On April 8, 1994, his body was found in his Seattle home, his arms holding a shotgun that had been fired into his head. Near him was an apparent suicide note, addressed to Courtney Love and to his daughter. His last words in the note were "I love you, I love you." He left behind a number of unreleased songs, some of which are now just being released by Courtney Love. His body was cremated, and the ashes scattered in a number of places around Washington State. A comprehensive biography, "Heavier than Heaven" was written by Charles Cross. Cobain was once quoted as saying, "Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are. I'd rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I am not." In 2014, Cobain was inducted posthumously into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Nirvana.
Bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson
Flowers
Advertisement
See more Cobain memorials in:
Advertisement