Kurt Cobain ( 20/2/67 - 5/4/94) - "I'm so happy, because today I found my friends, they're in my head."

 

Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain would have marked his birthday today, In the brief, less-than-three-year window between Nevermind’s release in the fall of 1991 and the Nirvana frontman’s suicide on April 5, 1994, at the age of 27 there was no one more influential in rock music than Kurt Cobain, whose impact on the world is still being felt.

Kurt Donald  Cobain  was born  on February 20, 1967, in the small logging town of Aberdeen, Washington. His parents divorced when he was seven years old. He later said that the divorce had a profound effect on his life, while his mother noted that his personality changed dramatically with Cobain becoming defiant and withdrawn, but as a child was artistic and had an ear for music. During his sophomore year in High school, Cobain began living with is mother in Aberdeen..

He began playing in bands in Olympia, Washington after dropping out of high school in 1985. Cobain was very influential in creating what became known as grunge music, Grunge musicians pushed back against music they saw as commercial and shallow. 

Kurt created  the Seattle band Nirvana, with his friend Kris Novoselic in 1987, At the height of the bands immense fame, Kurt's intense lyrics, unique  voice and incredible stage charisma cemented his place as the voice of a generation.His hits as the band's lead singer and writer include Smells Like Teen Spirit, Lithium and Come As You Are, still sound as fresh to me as to when I first heard them, lyrics of raw intensity and feeling  that focused on themes of existentialism, loneliness, and  yes depression that led to him becoming one of the most influential musicians in the history of alternative rock. He changed music in a big way in a very short period of time, leaving an astonishing legacy and music that has inspired many.He was also an activist , who used his voice to speak out against racism, misogyny, sexism and supporting many social justices causes..

Unfortunately he battled substance abuse problems all his life and  the way that US drug laws worked, the stigma attachd failed him, pushing him  into treatment that simply did not work , the same forces that fsil other todayd , this  combined with his difficulty to deal with his fame, and his deep depression i fuelled his self detonation.

On April 8, 1994 Kurt was  found dead in his home in Seattle , with fresh injection marks in both arms and a fatal wound to his head from the 20-gauge shotgun found between his knees'.He was only 27 and left behind a suicide note , his wife Courtney Love and his daughter Francis Bean Cobain.

His death shocked the music world and left countless fans devastated. Despite the tragic circumstances of his life  his songs have actually helped me get me through many times of darkness  and managed at same time to actually lift me up, so am grateful for that at least, and he remains a very talented and beautiful human..

But lets be clear there is nothing glamorous about depression or mental illness, it can effect anyone, rich or poor, like Kurt you just have to be human, the important thing is to keep talking, battling, surviving,  try and be defiant and keep raging against the world, but remember too that the road to Nirvana is often very hard to find... 

"If  any of you in anyway hate homosexuals, people of color, or women, please do this one favor for us don't come to our shows and don't buy our records." - Kurt Cobain  

Happy Birthday Kurt

Lithium

I'm so happy because today
I've found my friends
They're in my head
I'm so ugly, but that's okay, 'cause so are you
We've broken our mirrors
Sunday morning is everyday for all I care
And I'm not scared
Light my candles in a daze
'Cause I've found god
Hey, hey, hey

I'm so lonely but that's okay I shaved my head
And I'm not sad
And just maybe I'm to blame for all I've heard
But I'm not sure
I'm so excited, I can't wait to meet you there
But I don't care
I'm so horny but that's okay
My will is good
Hey, hey, hey

I like it, I'm not gonna crack
I miss you, I'm not gonna crack
I love you, I'm not gonna crack

I killed you, I'm not gonna crack

I like it, I'm not gonna crack
I miss you, I'm not gonna crack
I love you, I'm not gonna crack
I killed you, I'm not gonna crack