Career Timeline of Kurt Cobain: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Kurt Cobain built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Kurt Cobain was the frontman of Nirvana, a highly influential grunge band. His angsty lyrics and anti-establishment attitude resonated with Generation X, making him their reluctant spokesman. Cobain's songwriting broadened the scope of mainstream rock, solidifying his place as one of rock music's most impactful figures.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

February 20, 1981: Gift of a Guitar

On February 20, 1981, for his 14th birthday, Kurt Cobain received a used guitar from his uncle, marking the beginning of his musical journey.

1985: Formation of Fecal Matter

In early 1985, Kurt Cobain formed the band Fecal Matter after dropping out of Aberdeen High School, one of the joke bands associated with the Melvins. Dale Crover played bass and Greg Hokanson played drums.

1987: Formation of Nirvana

In 1987, Kurt Cobain formed the band Nirvana with Krist Novoselic and Aaron Burckhard in Seattle, marking the beginning of their journey in the burgeoning grunge scene.

1989: Formation of side project The Jury

In 1989, Cobain, along with members of Screaming Trees, formed a side project called The Jury. Over two days, August 20 and 28, 1989, the band recorded four songs by Lead Belly: "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?", an instrumental version of "Grey Goose", "Ain't It a Shame", and "They Hung Him on a Cross".

1989: First American Tour and Guitar Destruction

In 1989, Nirvana embarked on their first American tour, during which Kurt Cobain played an Epiphone ET270. He developed a habit of destroying guitars onstage, including this one, which lead to Sub Pop needing to replace them.

1989: Release of Bleach

In 1989, Nirvana released their debut album "Bleach" on Sub Pop, marking a significant step in their early career. The album featured Chad Channing on drums.

1990: Release of "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" on The Winding Sheet

In 1990, "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" was released on Mark Lanegan's album, The Winding Sheet.

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1990: Musical collaboration with Tobi Vail in Bathtub is Real

In 1990, Cobain collaborated with his girlfriend, Tobi Vail of Bikini Kill, on a musical project called Bathtub is Real. They both sang and played guitar and drums, recording their songs on a four-track tape machine.

1990: Nirvana signs to DGC

In 1990, Nirvana signed to DGC under recommendation from Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon.

1991: Commercial Success with Nevermind

In 1991, Nirvana achieved commercial success with their album "Nevermind", featuring the hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit". This album propelled them into the mainstream and solidified their place in music history.

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1991: Release of Nevermind and breakthrough success

In 1991, Nirvana, with Dave Grohl on drums, released their major-label debut album, "Nevermind". The album's lead single, "Smells Like Teen Spirit", propelled Nirvana into the mainstream and popularized grunge music.

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1991: Nirvana tours Europe with Sonic Youth

In the summer of 1991, Nirvana and Sonic Youth did a two-week tour of Europe, as documented in the 1992 documentary, 1991: The Year Punk Broke.

1992: Support for Gay Rights and Pro-Choice Movement

In 1992, Cobain and Nirvana publicly supported gay rights, playing at a benefit concert opposing Oregon's Ballot Measure 9. Cobain was also a vocal supporter of the pro-choice movement and participated in L7's Rock for Choice campaign, leading to death threats from anti-abortion activists.

1992: Collaboration with William S. Burroughs

In 1992, Cobain contacted William S. Burroughs for a collaboration. Burroughs sent a recording of "The Junky's Christmas", to which Cobain added guitar backing. They later met to produce "The 'Priest' They Called Him", a spoken word version of the song.

1992: LGBTQ+ Advocacy

In 1992, Kurt Cobain advocated for LGBTQ+ rights, including performing at a benefit in Oregon against Ballot Measure 9.

1992: Heroin Use Affecting Nevermind Tour

In 1992, Kurt Cobain's heroin use began to affect Nirvana's Nevermind tour. During a photoshoot before their Saturday Night Live performance on January 11, he fell asleep several times due to heroin use.

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1992: Release of documentary 1991: The Year Punk Broke

In 1992, the documentary "1991: The Year Punk Broke" was released. The film documents the tour of Europe done by Nirvana and Sonic Youth in 1991.

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1992: Cobain Describes "Lithium"

In a 1992 interview, Cobain stated that the Nirvana song "Lithium" was a fictionalized account of a man who "turned to religion as a last resort to keep himself alive" after the death of his girlfriend.

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1992: Cobain Interview on Guitars

In a 1992 interview, Kurt Cobain stated that "Junk is always best" regarding his preference for budget guitars, explaining it was a necessity due to difficulty finding high-quality left-handed guitars.

1993: Interview with The Advocate

In 1993, Kurt Cobain was interviewed by The Advocate, a gay magazine, which he said would be his only interview for the Incesticide album. The album's liner notes decried homophobia, racism, and misogyny.

1993: Pat Smear joins Nirvana

In 1993, ex-Germs guitarist Pat Smear joined Nirvana. The Meat Puppets also appeared onstage during Nirvana's 1993 MTV Unplugged appearance to perform three songs from their second album, Meat Puppets II.

April 23, 1994: MCA Music President on Cobain's Contribution

On April 23, 1994, Music & Media reported that Jørgen Larsen, president of MCA Music Entertainment International, acknowledged Kurt Cobain's significant contribution to contemporary music, noting his ability to sell millions of albums.

1994: Planned Acoustic Album with Michael Stipe

In 1994, Cobain and Michael Stipe of R.E.M. had planned to record a demo tape for a very quiet and acoustic Nirvana album with lots of stringed instruments. Stipe was also chosen as the godfather of Cobain's and Courtney Love's daughter, Frances Bean Cobain.

1994: In Utero Tour

In late 1993 and early 1994, Nirvana enlisted bands like Butthole Surfers, Shonen Knife, Chokebore and Half Japanese for the In Utero tour.

2004: Release of B-Sides on With the Lights Out

In 2004, "Grey Goose", "Ain't It a Shame" and "They Hung Him on a Cross" were released on Nirvana's B-sides collection, With the Lights Out.

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April 10, 2014: Nirvana Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

On April 10, 2014, Nirvana was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with Grohl, Novoselic, and Love accepting the award. Kurt Cobain was remembered during the ceremony. He is also known as one of the most famous members of the 27 Club.