Kurt Cobain Was the Last One to Have an Impact
By Nikhil Krishnan
If you are driving in the city of Aberdeen in the state of Washington, you are likely to see a sign that reads “Welcome to Aberdeen – Come as You Are”. The sign refers to the 1991 song Come As You Are by Nirvana, intending to pay a tribute to the city’s son, the leadsman of Nirvana, Kurt Cobain. Cobain was probably the last acclaimed rock persona we have seen till now. Cobain’s prominent music, coupled with his ideals and heartbreaking life and death, has led to a massive cult following of Nirvana and Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain was born on February 20, 1967 at Aberdeen, Washington. Cobain showed an early interest in music when he first heard The Beatles’ classic Hey Jude and tried playing it on piano at the age of 4. His life soon turned upside down when his parents separated. He was treated as an outcast and was often severely bullied throughout his years at school. He soon dropped out of his high school two weeks prior to his graduation and was subsequently banished from his house by his mother. He would then live on streets or sneak into his friends’ houses to sleep.
Cobain was an ultimate music fan which was evident from the New York Times Bestseller Journals, a collection of journal entries by Cobain. He had an eclectic musical taste that ranged from 19th Century Blues music, 60s rock of The Beatles to Punk-Rock and Heavy Metal of The Sex Pistols and Black Sabbath. He also appreciated the then contemporary alternative rock bands such as REM and The Pixies in the late 1980s. He made several greatest albums’ lists which included Punk Rock, Folk and even Rap albums. His exploration of diverse genre sounds influenced him to find the ultimate sound for his band. His idol was John Lennon of The Beatles with whom he shared his political and social ideals.
Cobain met Kris Noveselic, who became his best friend and the bassist of his band Nirvana. The band played Grunge, a subgenre of Alternative Rock that was only known to Seattle. Following their locally successful debut album Bleach (1989), Nirvana replaced their previous drummer with Dave Grohl and received their breakthrough ticket by releasing the highly influential classic album, Nevermind in 1991. Nevermind consistently ranks as one of the greatest albums of all time, and popularized Alternative Rock and Grunge in the mainstream music. Nevermind spanned big hits such as Come As You Are, In Bloom, Lithium, and of course the classic teenage anthem, Smells Like Teen Spirit. Nevermind catapulted Nirvana into international stardom with Cobain being labeled as the spokesman of his generation. His lyrics infused his Buddhist-like ideals about freedom and peace with teenage desolation. He was, however, very uncomfortable with the fact that he was being misinterpreted and soon became extremely depressed. Nirvana went on to release In Utero (1993) which was noted for being different from Nevermind.
Kurt Cobain gradually got disgusted by the material world that surrounded him. He realized he could not change people’s minds and affect the world ethically with his music. He soon turned suicidal and shot himself on April 5, 1994. Since then, Nirvana has sold over 30 million records and made many milestones. Kurt Cobain has always been viewed as a revered person who tried changing the world but became a target of the world instead.
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