History of Kurt Cobain in Timeline
Kurt Cobain was the frontman, guitarist, and primary songwriter for Nirvana, a grunge band that significantly impacted mainstream rock. His angsty lyrics and anti-establishment attitude resonated with Generation X, solidifying his status as an influential and iconic musician. Cobain's contributions expanded rock music's thematic range and cemented his legacy as a defining voice of a generation.
1930: Great-Uncle's Film Appearance
In 1930, Kurt Cobain's great-uncle, Delbert, appeared in the film "King of Jazz" as an Irish tenor.
1946: Year of Donald Leland Cobain's birth
In 1946, Donald Leland Cobain was born. He later married Wendy Elizabeth and became Kurt Cobain's father.
1947: Year of Wendy Elizabeth's birth
In 1947, Wendy Elizabeth Fradenburg was born. She later married Donald Cobain and became Kurt Cobain's mother.
1959: Martin D-18E Acoustic Guitar
In 1959, Kurt Cobain played a righthanded Martin D-18E acoustic guitar modified for left-handed playing.
July 31, 1965: Cobain's Parents' Marriage
On July 31, 1965, Kurt Cobain's parents, Wendy Elizabeth Fradenburg and Donald Leland Cobain, were married in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
1965: Cobain's Guitar Preference
In 1965, Kurt Cobain owned a Jaguar guitar with DiMarzio pickups, noting his preference for Fender guitars.
February 20, 1967: Kurt Cobain's Birth
On February 20, 1967, Kurt Donald Cobain was born in Aberdeen, Washington. He later became a highly influential musician as the frontman of Nirvana.
1969: Cobain's Favorite Guitar
In 1969, Kurt Cobain owned a Competition Mustang guitar, cited as his favorite despite considering it cheap and inefficient.
1969: Cobain's Competition Mustang
In 1969, Kurt Cobain owned a Competition Mustang guitar, which he played in the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" music video.
April 24, 1970: Birth of Cobain's Sister
On April 24, 1970, Kurt Cobain's younger sister, Kimberly, was born.
January 1979: Birth of Chad Cobain
In January 1979, Kurt Cobain's stepmother, Jenny Westeby, gave birth to a boy named Chad Cobain.
June 28, 1979: Custody Given to Father
On June 28, 1979, Kurt Cobain's mother granted full custody to his father.
1980: First Drug Experience
In 1980, at age 13, Kurt Cobain's first drug experience was with cannabis.
February 20, 1981: Cobain Gets a Guitar
On his 14th birthday, February 20, 1981, Kurt Cobain received a guitar from his uncle, marking a pivotal moment in his musical journey.
1983: First Concert
In 1983, Kurt Cobain reportedly attended his first concert. It may have been Sammy Hagar and Quarterflash, held at the Seattle Center Coliseum, or a free Melvins concert.
1985: Formation of Fecal Matter
In early 1985, Kurt Cobain formed the band Fecal Matter after dropping out of high school, marking one of his early musical endeavors.
1986: First Heroin Use
In 1986, Kurt Cobain first took heroin in Tacoma, Washington.
1986: Cobain Moves into Apartment
In late 1986, Kurt Cobain moved into an apartment, paying rent by working at the Polynesian Resort in Ocean Shores, Washington.
1987: Love's Role in 'Straight to Hell'
In 1987, Kurt Cobain was aware of Courtney Love through her role in the film 'Straight to Hell'.
1987: Formation of Nirvana
In 1987, Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, and Aaron Burckhard formed Nirvana in Washington, marking the beginning of their journey in the Seattle grunge scene.
1987: Kidnapping inspires "Polly"
In 1987, an incident where a 14-year-old girl was kidnapped, raped, and tortured inspired Kurt Cobain to write "Polly" from Nevermind. After seeing Nirvana perform, Bob Dylan cited "Polly" as the best of Nirvana's songs, and said of Cobain, "the kid has heart".
1988: Cobain listens to Surfer Rosa by the Pixies
In 1988, Kurt Cobain listened to the debut album Surfer Rosa, by the Pixies which influenced his songwriting style.
January 21, 1989: First Meeting with Courtney Love
On January 21, 1989, according to Michael Azerrad's biography, Kurt Cobain met Courtney Love at a Dharma Bums gig in Portland.
July 18, 1989: Cocaine Use in New York
On July 18, 1989, Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic took cocaine after a gig in New York.
November 27, 1989: Mental Breakdown in Rome
On November 27, 1989, Kurt Cobain suffered a mental breakdown during a Nirvana show in Rome, climbing a speaker stack and shouting, "I'm going to kill myself!".
1989: Cobain writes "About a Girl" after listening to Meet the Beatles!
In 1989, Kurt Cobain wrote the song "About a Girl" from Nirvana's debut album Bleach after listening to Meet the Beatles! for three hours, showcasing the Beatles' early influence on his music.
1989: Cobain forms the Jury
In 1989, Kurt Cobain, along with members of Screaming Trees, formed a side project called the Jury. On August 20 and 28, 1989, the band recorded four Lead Belly songs: "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
In 1989, Nirvana embarked on their first American tour, during which Kurt Cobain played an Epiphone ET270 before destroying it onstage, a habit that led Sub Pop to search for replacement guitars.
1989: Release of 'Bleach'
In 1989, Nirvana released their debut album "Bleach" on Sub Pop, establishing their presence in the grunge music scene.
1989: Nirvana releases "Bleach"
In 1989, Nirvana, with Chad Channing on drums, released their album "Bleach" on Sub Pop Records. However, Kurt Cobain became dissatisfied with Channing's drumming style and eventually fired him. This marked a key moment in the band's early career as they searched for the right musical fit.
January 12, 1990: Possible Meeting with Courtney Love
On January 12, 1990, according to Charles R. Cross's biography, Kurt Cobain met Courtney Love at the Satyricon nightclub in Portland.
1990: Release on Mark Lanegan's album
In 1990, "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" was released on Mark Lanegan's album, The Winding Sheet.
1990: Cobain collaborates with Tobi Vail in Bathtub is Real
In 1990, Kurt 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. This project highlighted Cobain's appreciation for Vail's creativity and their shared musical interests.
1990: Heroin Use
In 1990, Kurt Cobain told Krist Novoselic about his heroin use.
1990: Nirvana signs to DGC
In 1990, Nirvana signed to DGC Records under the recommendation of Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon, marking a significant step in their career.
January 1991: Heroin Use
In January 1991, Kurt Cobain spoke to Dave Grohl about his heroin use.
May 1991: Formal Introduction
In May 1991, Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love were formally introduced at an L7 and Butthole Surfers concert in Los Angeles.
May 17, 1991: Introduction to Courtney Love
On May 17, 1991, Everett True claims to have introduced Kurt Cobain to Courtney Love.
1991: Success with 'Nevermind'
In 1991, Nirvana achieved commercial success with their album "Nevermind", featuring the hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit," which propelled them to mainstream recognition.
1991: Nirvana releases Nevermind and enters the mainstream
In 1991, Nirvana released their major-label debut album, Nevermind, featuring Dave Grohl on drums. The album's lead single, "Smells Like Teen Spirit," propelled Nirvana into the mainstream and popularized grunge music. This success also opened doors for other Seattle bands, revolutionizing alternative rock in the U.S.
1991: Nirvana and Sonic Youth tour Europe
In the summer of 1991, Nirvana and Sonic Youth embarked on a two-week tour of Europe, documented in the 1992 film 1991: The Year Punk Broke, strengthening their bond and mutual influence.
February 24, 1992: Cobain and Love's Wedding
On February 24, 1992, Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love were married on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, with Cobain wearing green pajamas and Love wearing a dress once owned by Frances Farmer.
August 18, 1992: Birth of Frances Bean Cobain
On August 18, 1992, Frances Bean Cobain was born to Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love. A sonogram was included in the artwork for Nirvana's single, "Lithium."
October 1992: Cobain's Views on Sexuality
In October 1992, Kurt Cobain stated that he would be bisexual if he wasn't attracted to Courtney Love, and expressed identification with the gay community.
1992: Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Rights
In 1992, Kurt Cobain advocated for LGBTQ+ rights, including performing at a benefit against Oregon Ballot Measure 9.
1992: Nirvana opposes Oregon Ballot Measure 9 and Supports Pro-Choice
In 1992, Kurt Cobain and Nirvana became vocal opponents of sexism, racism, sexual assault, and homophobia. The band played at a gay rights benefit concert opposing Oregon's Ballot Measure 9, which promoted discrimination. Cobain was also a supporter of the pro-choice movement, actively participating in L7's Rock for Choice campaign, despite receiving death threats for his stance.
1992: Cobain collaborates with William S. Burroughs
In 1992, Kurt Cobain initiated a collaboration with William S. Burroughs. Cobain added guitar backing to Burroughs' recording of "The Junky's Christmas" and later, they produced "The 'Priest' They Called Him," a spoken word version of the song.
1992: Heroin Use Affecting Nirvana Tour
In 1992, Kurt Cobain's heroin use began to affect Nirvana's Nevermind tour, including falling asleep during a photoshoot before a Saturday Night Live performance.
1992: R.E.M. releases Automatic for the People
In 1992, R.E.M. released 'Automatic for the People', an album later compared to Nirvana's Unplugged set.
1992: Near-Death Overdose
In 1992, after Nirvana's performance on Saturday Night Live, Kurt Cobain experienced his first near-death overdose after injecting heroin; Courtney Love resuscitated him.
1992: "1991: The Year Punk Broke" is released.
In 1992, the documentary "1991: The Year Punk Broke," which documented Nirvana and Sonic Youth's 1991 tour of Europe, was released.
1992: Cobain discusses The Pixies influence
In a 1992 interview with Melody Maker, Kurt Cobain credited the Pixies' 1988 debut album, Surfer Rosa, with influencing his songwriting. He abandoned his Black Flag-influenced style for the Iggy Pop/Aerosmith style found on Nevermind after hearing the album.
1992: Cobain Discusses "Lithium" Inspiration
In a 1992 interview, Kurt Cobain stated that the song "Lithium" was a fictionalized account of a man turning to religion after the death of his girlfriend to avoid suicide.
May 2, 1993: Overdose in Seattle
On May 2, 1993, Kurt Cobain overdosed at his home in Seattle, leading to hospitalization and discharge the same day.
July 23, 1993: Overdose in New York City
On July 23, 1993, prior to a performance in New York City, Kurt Cobain overdosed, and Courtney Love resuscitated him with naloxone before he performed with Nirvana.
October 1993: Cobain Meets William S. Burroughs
In October 1993, Kurt Cobain met William S. Burroughs at his home in Lawrence, Kansas. During Nirvana's European tour, Cobain kept a copy of Burroughs' Naked Lunch.
1993: Cobain praises R.E.M.
In 1993, Cobain expressed his admiration for R.E.M., praising their songwriting and how they handled their success. He considered them one of the greatest bands.
1993: Health Issues and Mental Health
In 1993, Kurt Cobain disclosed that he had narcolepsy and manic depression.
1993: Cobain talks about Beatles influence.
In 1993, Kurt Cobain told Jon Savage that the Beatles were an early and influential musical influence during his childhood.
1993: Interview with The Advocate
In 1993, Kurt Cobain was interviewed by The Advocate, a gay magazine, and included a statement decrying homophobia in the liner notes of Incesticide.
1993: Authorized Nirvana Biography
In 1993, Michael Azerrad published an authorized biography of Nirvana.
1993: Pat Smear joins Nirvana
In 1993, ex-Germs guitarist Pat Smear joined Nirvana, expanding their musical capabilities. Additionally, the Meat Puppets joined Nirvana onstage during their 1993 MTV Unplugged appearance to perform three songs from their second album, Meat Puppets II.
1993: Cobain admits "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was trying to rip off the Pixies
In a 1993 interview with Rolling Stone, Kurt Cobain admitted that "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was his attempt at "trying to rip off the Pixies". He acknowledged the band's influence on Nirvana's music, particularly their use of dynamics.
1993: Cobain cites Lead Belly as a favorite performer
In a 1993 interview, Kurt Cobain cited Lead Belly as his favorite performer, after being introduced to him through William S. Burroughs. Cobain revealed that he found Lead Belly's music to have real soul and deep emotional expression.
1993: Cobain's Interview on Family
In a 1993 interview, Kurt Cobain expressed feelings of shame and resentment towards his parents due to their divorce and his longing for a typical family.
1993: Cobain expresses admiration for Jimi Hendrix
In a 1993 interview, Kurt Cobain expressed his admiration for Jimi Hendrix, calling him "a great musician and a great composer". He acknowledged Hendrix's significance and contribution to the Seattle music scene.
March 1, 1994: Bronchitis and Laryngitis Diagnosis
On March 1, 1994, after a show in Munich, Kurt Cobain was diagnosed with bronchitis and severe laryngitis.
March 1994: Multiple Near-Death Overdoses
By March 1994, Courtney Love had witnessed Kurt Cobain near death from heroin overdoses on more than a dozen occasions.
March 1994: Cobain's Overdose and Intervention
In March 1994, Kurt Cobain overdosed on a combination of champagne and Rohypnol, leading to an intervention and detox program.
March 18, 1994: Police Called to Cobain's Home
On March 18, 1994, Courtney Love called the Seattle police, reporting that Kurt Cobain was suicidal and had locked himself in a room with a gun; police confiscated guns and pills from Cobain.
March 25, 1994: Intervention for Cobain
On March 25, 1994, Courtney Love arranged an intervention for Kurt Cobain's drug use, involving friends and executives.
March 30, 1994: Cobain Enters Detox Program
On March 30, 1994, Kurt Cobain agreed to enter a detox program in Los Angeles, and asked his friend, Dylan Carlson, to buy a shotgun for "self-protection".
April 1, 1994: Cobain Escapes Rehab and Flies to Seattle
On April 1, 1994, Kurt Cobain escaped a rehab facility and flew to Seattle. During the flight, he encountered Duff McKagan, who sensed something was wrong.
April 5, 1994: Kurt Cobain's Death
Kurt Cobain died around April 5, 1994, though he was found on April 8th. His death marked the end of an era for grunge music and impacted fans worldwide.
April 5, 1994: Kurt Cobain's Estimated Day of Death
The coroner's report estimated that Kurt Cobain died on April 5, 1994, at the age of 27. His body was discovered three days later, on April 8th.
April 8, 1994: Discovery of Cobain's Body
On April 8, 1994, Kurt Cobain was found dead in his Seattle home, with the police determining that he had died approximately three days earlier from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
April 23, 1994: MCA Executive Praises Cobain's Contribution
On April 23, 1994, after Cobain's death, Jørgen Larsen, the president of MCA Music Entertainment International, acknowledged Cobain's significant impact on contemporary music, noting his remarkable album sales.
1994: Stipe discusses unreleased Nirvana recording.
In 1994, R.E.M.'s lead singer, Michael Stipe, revealed that Kurt Cobain planned to record a very quiet and acoustic album with lots of stringed instruments. Stipe was angry at Cobain for his death because he knew the next Nirvana recording was going to be amazing. Stipe was also chosen as the godfather of Cobain's daughter, Frances Bean Cobain.
1994: Memorial Vigil for Kurt Cobain
In 1994, a memorial vigil was held for Kurt Cobain in Seattle.
1994: MTV Unplugged in New York released posthumously
In 1994, the album MTV Unplugged in New York was released posthumously, featuring Nirvana's acoustic set, which included renditions of "The Man Who Sold the World" and "Where Did You Sleep Last Night". This album has been compared to R.E.M.'s 1992 release, Automatic for the People.
1994: Nirvana continues In Utero tour
In early 1994, Nirvana continued their In Utero tour, enlisting bands like Butthole Surfers, Shonen Knife, Chokebore, and Half Japanese to join them. Cobain also showed his support for these bands by wearing Daniel Johnston T-shirts during photo shoots.
1994: Events Leading Up to Cobain's Death
The film "Soaked in Bleach" details the events leading up to the death of Kurt Cobain in 1994.
1996: Establishment of the Church of Kurt Cobain
In 1996, the Church of Kurt Cobain was established in Portland, Oregon, though it was later claimed by some media outlets to have been a media hoax.
1996: Release of "Teen Spirit: The Tribute to Kurt Cobain"
The documentary "Teen Spirit: The Tribute to Kurt Cobain" was released as a home video in 1996.
1998: Publication of "Who Killed Kurt Cobain?"
In 1998, Ian Halperin and Max Wallace published their investigation of any possible conspiracy surrounding Cobain's death in their book "Who Killed Kurt Cobain?".
1998: "Kurt & Courtney" Documentary Investigates Conspiracy Claims
In the 1998 documentary "Kurt & Courtney", filmmaker Nick Broomfield investigated Tom Grant's claim that Cobain was actually murdered.
May 31, 1999: Final Ceremony and Scattering of Ashes
On May 31, 1999, a final ceremony arranged by Cobain's mother took place, attended by Courtney Love and Tracy Marander. Frances Bean scattered Cobain's ashes into McLane Creek in Olympia.
2001: DVD Release of "Teen Spirit: The Tribute to Kurt Cobain"
"Teen Spirit: The Tribute to Kurt Cobain" was released on DVD in 2001.
2001: Cobain Biography
In 2001, Charles R. Cross published a biography of Kurt Cobain.
2001: Publication of "Heavier Than Heaven"
In 2001, writer Charles R. Cross published a biography of Cobain, titled "Heavier Than Heaven", which was met with some criticism.
2002: Publication of "Journals"
In 2002, a sampling of Cobain's writings was published as "Journals", offering insights into his thoughts and experiences.
2003: Cobain Ranked Among Greatest Guitarists
In 2003, David Fricke of Rolling Stone ranked Cobain the 12th greatest guitarist of all time.
2003: Paperback Version of "Journals" Released
In 2003, a paperback version of the book "Journals" was released, included a handful of writings that were not offered in the initial release.
May 2004: Kurt Cobain Memorial Committee Formed
In May 2004, the Kurt Cobain Memorial Committee was created to honor Cobain with a memorial park and youth center in Aberdeen.
2004: Release on Nirvana's B-sides collection
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.
2004: Publication of "Love and Death: The Murder of Kurt Cobain"
In 2004, Ian Halperin and Max Wallace collaborated with Tom Grant to write a second book, "Love and Death: The Murder of Kurt Cobain", further exploring possible conspiracies surrounding his death.
2005: Release of "Last Days"
Gus Van Sant loosely based his 2005 movie "Last Days" on the events in the final days of Cobain's life.
2005: "Come As You Are" Sign Erected in Aberdeen
In 2005, a sign was put up in Aberdeen, Washington, that read "Welcome to Aberdeen—Come As You Are" as a tribute to Cobain.
2006: Cobain Ranked Among Greatest Metal Singers
In 2006, Cobain was placed at number twenty by Hit Parader on their list of the "100 Greatest Metal Singers of All Time".
2006: Love Retains Cobain's Ashes
In 2006, Courtney Love stated that she retained Cobain's ashes, kept in a bank vault in Los Angeles.
2006: Everett True's Book
In 2006, Everett True published a book disputing accounts of Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love's first meeting.
2006: Ranking on Hit Parader's List
In 2006, Kurt Cobain was ranked 20th by Hit Parader on their list of the "100 Greatest Metal Singers of All Time."
2006: "Kurt Cobain: About a Son" Documentary Released
In 2006, Michael Azerrad's taped conversations with Cobain were transformed into a documentary about Cobain, titled "Kurt Cobain: About a Son".
2006: Release of Documentaries "All Apologies: Kurt Cobain 10 Years On" and "The Last 48 Hours of Kurt Cobain"
In 2006, the Jon Brewer directed documentary, "All Apologies: Kurt Cobain 10 Years On", and the BBC documentary, "The Last 48 Hours of Kurt Cobain", were released.
January 2007: Love Shops "Heavier Than Heaven" for Movie Adaptation
In January 2007, Courtney Love began to shop the biography "Heavier Than Heaven" to various movie studios in Hollywood to turn the book into an A-list feature film about Cobain and Nirvana.
2008: Publication of "Cobain Unseen"
In 2008, Charles R. Cross published "Cobain Unseen", a compilation of annotated photographs and creations and writings by Cobain.
July 2009: Controversy Erupts Over Cobain Monument Quote
In July 2009, controversy erupted when a monument to Cobain in Aberdeen along the Wishkah River included the quote "... Drugs are bad for you. They will fuck you up."
September 2009: "Kurt and Sid" Play Debuts in London
In September 2009, the Roy Smiles play "Kurt and Sid" debuted at the Trafalgar Studios in London's West End, revolving around the ghost of Sid Vicious visiting Cobain on the day of his suicide.
2009: Everett True publishes Nirvana: The Biography.
In 2009, Everett True's biography, Nirvana: The Biography, featured insights into Kurt Cobain's collaboration with Tobi Vail on the Bathtub is Real project in 1990.
2009: Cobain included in Guitar Hero 5
In 2009, Kurt Cobain was included as a playable character in the video game Guitar Hero 5, allowing players to use him to perform songs by Nirvana and other artists. This sparked controversy, with Novoselic and Grohl condemning the inclusion and Love threatening to sue, despite Activision's claim that Love had contributed to the game's development.
December 2013: Hoquiam Announces Annual Nirvana Day
In December 2013, the small city of Hoquiam, where Cobain once lived, announced that April 10 would become the annual Nirvana Day.
January 2014: Aberdeen Declares Annual "Kurt Cobain Day"
In January 2014, Cobain's birthday, February 20, was declared annual "Kurt Cobain Day" in Aberdeen.
March 2014: Seattle Police Develop Unseen Film
In March 2014, the Seattle police developed four rolls of film that had been left in an evidence vault. The film photographs show the scene of Cobain's dead body more clearly.
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. Grohl, Novoselic, and Love accepted the accolade at the ceremony, where Cobain was also remembered.
2014: Induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 2014, Kurt Cobain was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with his Nirvana bandmates.
January 2015: Premiere of "Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck"
A Brett Morgen film, entitled "Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck", premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2015.
2015: Release of "Soaked in Bleach" Docudrama
"Soaked in Bleach" is a 2015 American docudrama directed by Benjamin Statler that explores the premise that Cobain's death was not a suicide.
2019: Publication of "Serving the Servant: Remembering Kurt Cobain"
In 2019, on the 25th anniversary of Cobain's death, former Nirvana manager, Danny Goldberg, published "Serving the Servant: Remembering Kurt Cobain".
2020: Auction of Cobain's Guitar
In 2020, Cobain's 1959 Martin D-18E acoustic guitar sold for over $6 million at auction, becoming the most expensive guitar ever sold.
July 2021: Cobain's Childhood Home Added to Heritage Register
In July 2021, Cobain's childhood home in Aberdeen was confirmed for inclusion on the Washington State Heritage Register, with plans to turn it into an exhibit.
2021: Death of Wendy Elizabeth
In 2021, Wendy Elizabeth, Kurt Cobain's mother, passed away.
2022: Auction of Competition Mustang Guitar
In 2022, Cobain's 1969 Competition Mustang, sold at auction to Jim Irsay for $4.5 million.
April 13, 2024: Premiere of "Kurt Cobain: Moments That Shook Music"
To mark the 30th anniversary of Cobain's death a new documentary titled "Kurt Cobain: Moments That Shook Music" aired on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on April 13, 2024.
