Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain was a singer, songwriter and guitarist best known as the frontman of the rock band Nirvana. After being gifted a guitar at age 14, he began learning to play and write his own music. He briefly attended Aberdeen High School before dropping out just weeks before graduation.

In the late 1980s, Cobain formed Nirvana with bassist Krist Novoselic. The band released their debut album Bleach in 1989 and after finalizing their lineup with drummer Dave Grohl, signed with DGC Records. The group rose to global fame with the release of their sophomore album Nevermind (1991) which featured the single “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The song later became one of the best-selling singles of all time.

Led by the singer, Nirvana released the critically-acclaimed album In Utero (1993). Cobain also participated in collaborative projects with artists such as Screaming Trees and then-girlfriend Tony Vail.

He wed singer Courtney Love in 1992. The couple welcomed daughter Frances Bean Cobain that same year.

Cobain struggled with addiction and depression and died by suicide on April 5, 1994, at the age of 27.

Nirvana was awarded the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Performance after the release of their posthumous album MTV Unplugged In New York (1994).