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bobo746

Kurt Cobain R.I.P .

When Kurt Cobain shot himself into the great beyond 17 years ago today, did he take rock 'n roll with him?
Sometimes it seems that way.
In all the years since that horrible day, when a distraught 27 year old man killed himself in the most self-obliterating way possible (he shot himself in the face), rock 'n roll hasnt been able to send another great band, or movement into the commercial stratosphere.
The early '90s grunge movement, which Cobain and Nirvana ignited, hasn't seen a parallel wave in the nearly two decades since. Think about the biggest selling rock bands to emerge post grunge - acts like Linkin Park (third rate rap-rock), Velvet Revolver (superstar vanity project), My Chemical Romance (emotionally bankrupt emo) and Daughtry (4th generation grunge-pop).
It's not a pretty legacy.
While no shortage of great rock groups have emerged in the time since - from the now defunkt White Stripes to Brooklyln's art-freak-out band TV on the Radio - they thrive in cults rather than in the mainstream.
That may have actually pleased Cobain, who saw music as something sacred and exclusive, not a force for the masses. Yet, for the populists among us, that's just another reason to see today's anniversary as a sad occasion.
The other, far larger one - Cobain's death itself -represents something unprecedented in the history of rock. All other pop stars who died young did so due to an accident. JImi, Janis and Jim Morrison didn't intend to die (though, eerily like Kurt, they all did so at age 27). Of them, Kurt alone meant to put a period on his life - and a particularly angry one at that.
No one can know the full reasons for someone's suicide. It's among the most individual and private acts a person can perform. But from the evidence, it seems like Kurt did mean to punish someone besides himself with his violent act. And that someone was the audience - the force that became his bane through their very worship. When you hate yourself as much as he apparently did, the love of others only seems that much more invasive, counterfiet and threatening. It's a sad cycle of psychology and, also, a deadly one.
There's only one balm for this - and that's the music itself. Kurt didn't leave a lot, but the pieces he did offer changed the world for a time. And it still has the power to move and provoke. It surely will for many more sad anniversaries to come

bobo746

Wasn't a real big fan saw them in brisbane in '92 great show doesn't seem that long ago. dave grohl went on to bigger things with the Foo Fighters who i have seen heaps of times great band.

Marmite the Dog

Jesus - talk about scraping the barrel. There's loads of decent bands if the writer removed his head from his arse and dared peer across the Atlantic.

That being said, no band since Nirvana has had such a huge impact on rock music.

bobo746

Definately influenced a generation of musicans and fans.

Mr Brown

Better to burn out than fade away

went to an extreme to prove that

Tunaka

I saw Nirvana for $8 dollars back in 1992.

Cobain was a talented writer and musician - like him or not, we must admit that.

I've read that book by the retired FBI detective about potential foul play.

We'll never know.

He had his life long problems, and marrying/being with Courtney Love was his biggest mistake, IMO.

Regardless, RIP.

Frankenstein

I don't grieve much although Nirvana were alright. Dave Grohl was the more talented of the bunch in my opinion, and he really enjoys every minute of his life. Kurt should have tried that too.

kmart

Saw Nirvana at the Reading Festival about 20 years ago, just before "Nevermind" hit the shops. They were fucking awesome.

The sudden, instant fame and marriage to psycho-bitch Courtney Love was too much for poor old Kurt.

Attilla the Hen

Great musician and writer.
Miserable excuse for a human being.

The Muffinman

Yup, too true.


You're probably right about that, but for me grunge is just a footnote in the encyclopedia of modern music. It also sounds pretty dated now.

I loved Nevermind, it blew me away when I first heard Smells like Teen Spirit, still remember exactly where I was. But I didn't care much for his later stuff, not sure if he had much left in the tank if he hadn't shot himself in the face.

pickel

I was lucky enough to see them three times. Would have loved to hear more music come from him. Shame he died. And with the crazy bitch of a wife he had, don't rule this out:

Wally Dorian Raffles

I agree.

His "oh the pain, the pain, poor old miserable me" mindset was selfish immature bullshit. Everyone on the planet has problems FFS.

He was a father too, which makes it worse.

Yep. Great artist, but shit person.