How Kurt Cobain Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline
How the contributions of Kurt Cobain continue to shape the world today.
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.
1993: Authorized Biography
In 1993, Michael Azerrad publishes an authorized biography about Nirvana.
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: Posthumous release of MTV Unplugged in New York
In 1994, the album "MTV Unplugged in New York" was released posthumously. It has drawn comparisons to R.E.M.'s 1992 release, Automatic for the People.
1996: Establishment of the Church of Kurt Cobain
In 1996, The Church of Kurt Cobain was established in Portland, Oregon; however, some media outlets later claimed that it was a hoax. Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins referred to Cobain as "the Michael Jordan of our generation".
1996: "Teen Spirit: The Tribute to Kurt Cobain" Released
In 1996, the documentary "Teen Spirit: The Tribute to Kurt Cobain" was released as a home video.
1998: Publication of "Who Killed Kurt Cobain?"
In 1998, Ian Halperin and Max Wallace published "Who Killed Kurt Cobain?", an investigation into a possible conspiracy surrounding Cobain's death, arguing for the case to be reopened.
1998: "The Vigil" Film Release
In 1998, the comedy film "The Vigil", about young people traveling to Seattle for Cobain's memorial vigil, was released.
1998: "Kurt & Courtney" Documentary Explores Conspiracy Theories
In the 1998 documentary "Kurt & Courtney", filmmaker Nick Broomfield investigated Tom Grant's claim that Cobain was murdered. Broomfield interviewed several people, including Eldon "El Duce" Hoke, who claimed Love offered him $50,000 to kill Cobain, though Broomfield found insufficient evidence of a conspiracy.
May 31, 1999: Cobain's Ashes Scattered
On May 31, 1999, Kurt Cobain's mother arranged a final ceremony where his ashes were scattered into McLane Creek in Olympia by his daughter, Frances Bean, as a Buddhist monk chanted.
2001: Publication of "Heavier Than Heaven"
In 2001, Charles R. Cross published "Heavier Than Heaven", a biography of Kurt Cobain, which included access to Cobain's journals, lyrics, and diaries. The book faced some criticism for alleged inaccuracies.
2001: Cobain Biography
In 2001, the Charles R. Cross biography about Cobain was released.
2001: "Teen Spirit: The Tribute to Kurt Cobain" Released on DVD
In 2001, the documentary "Teen Spirit: The Tribute to Kurt Cobain" was released on DVD.
2002: Publication of "Journals"
In 2002, a collection of Kurt Cobain's writings was published as "Journals", offering insights into his thoughts and experiences from the late 1980s until his death. The journal pages are reproduced in color, and there is a section added at the back with explanations and transcripts of some of the less legible pages.
2003: Cobain Ranked as One of the Greatest Guitarists by Rolling Stone
In 2003, David Fricke of Rolling Stone ranked Kurt Cobain the 12th greatest guitarist of all time.
2003: Paperback Version of "Journals" Released
In 2003, a paperback version of Kurt Cobain's "Journals" was released, featuring additional writings not included in the initial release.
May 2004: Formation of Kurt Cobain Memorial Committee
In May 2004, the Kurt Cobain Memorial Committee was created as a non-profit organization to honor Cobain, planning to establish a memorial park and youth center in Aberdeen.
2004: Publication of "Love and Death: The Murder of Kurt Cobain"
In 2004, Ian Halperin and Max Wallace collaborated with Tom Grant to write "Love and Death: The Murder of Kurt Cobain", further exploring the conspiracy theories surrounding Cobain's death.
2005: "Last Days" Movie Based on Cobain's Final Days
In 2005, Gus Van Sant released the movie "Last Days", loosely based on the events surrounding the final days of Kurt Cobain's life, with Michael Pitt portraying a character named Blake, inspired by Cobain.
2005: "Come As You Are" Sign Erected in Aberdeen
In 2005, a sign reading "Welcome to Aberdeen—Come As You Are" was put up in Aberdeen, Washington, as a tribute to Kurt Cobain, funded by the Kurt Cobain Memorial Committee.
2006: "Kurt Cobain: About a Son" Documentary Release
In 2006, Azerrad's taped conversations with Kurt Cobain were used to create the documentary, "Kurt Cobain: About a Son", which featured music from artists who inspired Cobain.
2006: Love Retains Cobain's Ashes
In 2006, Courtney Love stated that she was keeping Kurt Cobain's ashes in a bank vault in Los Angeles, as no cemetery in Seattle would accept them.
2006: Everett True's Book
In 2006, Everett True published a book disputing previous accounts of how Cobain and Love met.
2006: Ranking on Hit Parader's List
In 2006, Hit Parader ranked Kurt Cobain 20th on their list of the "100 Greatest Metal Singers of All Time", acknowledging his vocal talent and influence in the music industry.
2006: Cobain Ranked Among Greatest Metal Singers
In 2006, Kurt Cobain was ranked number twenty by Hit Parader on their list of the "100 Greatest Metal Singers of All Time".
2006: Release of Kurt Cobain Documentaries
In 2006, two documentaries about Kurt Cobain were released: All Apologies: Kurt Cobain 10 Years On, directed by Jon Brewer, and The Last 48 Hours of Kurt Cobain, produced by the BBC.
January 2007: Courtney Love Shops Cobain Biography for Movie Adaptation
In January 2007, Courtney Love began seeking a movie studio in Hollywood to adapt the biography Heavier Than Heaven into a feature film about Kurt Cobain and Nirvana.
2008: Publication of "Cobain Unseen"
In 2008, Charles R. Cross published "Cobain Unseen", a compilation of annotated photographs, creations, and writings by Kurt Cobain throughout his life and career.
July 2009: Controversy Over Cobain Monument Quote
In July 2009, controversy arose over a monument to Kurt Cobain in Aberdeen that included the quote "... Drugs are bad for you. They will fuck you up." The city decided to alter the expletive, but fans restored it.
September 2009: Kurt and Sid Debuts in London
In September 2009, the play Kurt and Sid by Roy Smiles, which imagines a meeting between Cobain and the ghost of Sid Vicious on the day of Cobain's suicide, premiered at the Trafalgar Studios in London's West End.
2009: Cobain Included in Guitar Hero 5
In 2009, Kurt Cobain was included as a playable character in the video game Guitar Hero 5. This sparked controversy, with Novoselic and Grohl condemning the inclusion and Love threatening to sue. Activision stated that Love had contributed to the game's development.
2009: Tobi Vail Reflects on Collaboration with Cobain in Everett True's Biography
In 2009, Tobi Vail reminisced about her musical collaboration with Cobain in Everett True's book, "Nirvana: The Biography." She noted Cobain's enthusiasm for her creativity and their shared musical exploration.
December 2013: Hoquiam Announces Annual Nirvana Day
In December 2013, the city of Hoquiam, Washington, where Kurt Cobain once lived, announced that April 10 would be the annual Nirvana Day.
January 2014: Aberdeen Declares Annual "Kurt Cobain Day"
In January 2014, Cobain's birthday, February 20, was declared the annual "Kurt Cobain Day" in Aberdeen.
March 2014: Seattle Police Develop Film from Cobain's Death Scene
In March 2014, the Seattle police developed four rolls of film from Kurt Cobain's death scene, revealing clearer images than previous Polaroids. These photos, reviewed by Detective Mike Ciesynski, confirmed Cobain's death as a suicide. The images were released weeks before the 20th anniversary of Cobain's death.
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.
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, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl, in their first year of eligibility, recognizing their significant impact on music.
January 2015: Premiere of Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck
In January 2015, Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, a film by Brett Morgen, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival before its release on smaller screens and in cinemas.
2015: Release of Soaked in Bleach
In 2015, the docudrama Soaked in Bleach, directed by Benjamin Statler, was released. The film explores the events surrounding Kurt Cobain's death through the eyes of private detective Tom Grant, and questions the ruling of suicide. Following its release, Courtney Love's legal team issued a cease-and-desist letter against theaters that screened the documentary.
2019: Publication of "Serving the Servant: Remembering Kurt Cobain"
In 2019, Danny Goldberg, former manager of Nirvana, published "Serving the Servant: Remembering Kurt Cobain" on the 25th anniversary of Cobain's death.
2020: Martin D-18E Acoustic Guitar Auction
In 2020, Cobain's 1959 Martin D-18E acoustic guitar became the most expensive guitar ever sold, fetching over $6 million at auction.
July 2021: Cobain's Childhood Home to Be Included on Heritage Register
In July 2021, it was confirmed that Kurt Cobain's childhood home in Aberdeen would be included on the Washington State Heritage Register and transformed into an exhibit for visitors.
2022: Auction of Cobain's 1969 Competition Mustang
In 2022, Kurt Cobain's 1969 Competition Mustang, which he played in the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" music video, was sold at auction to Jim Irsay for $4.5 million.
April 13, 2024: BBC Airs Kurt Cobain Documentary
On April 13, 2024, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Kurt Cobain's death, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer aired a new documentary titled Kurt Cobain: Moments That Shook Music.
Mentioned in this timeline
Courtney Love is an American singer songwriter guitarist and actress...
Bob Dylan is a highly influential American singer-songwriter renowned as...
Saturday Night Live SNL is a late-night American sketch comedy...
Christmas is an annual festival celebrated on December th commemorating...
Jimi Hendrix was an American musician renowned for his extraordinary...
Activision Publishing Inc based in Santa Monica California is a...
Trending
8 minutes ago Patriots trade down scenarios: Saints potential offer, Scheim's suggestion and unrealistic proposal
8 minutes ago Harvey Weinstein Retrial: Facing New Sex Crimes Charges in New York Court.
8 minutes ago Cate Blanchett Considers Retirement From Acting at 55: A Hollywood Legend's Potential Exit
1 hour ago Buffalo Bills Gear Up for 2025 NFL Draft: Mock Draft Insights
1 hour ago MLB Celebrates Jackie Robinson Day; Nike Releases Cortez, Players Wear Special Cleats.
1 hour ago Sheinelle Jones' Absence from TODAY: Crew Updates and Prayers for Recovery
Popular
Doug Ford is a Canadian politician and businessman currently serving...
Justin Trudeau served as the rd Prime Minister of Canada...
The Real ID Act of is a US federal law...
Peter Navarro is an American economist and author known for...
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Bernard Bernie Sanders is a prominent American politician currently serving...