MUSIC
The Dark Side of Nirvana: How Kurt Cobain Struggled with Fame, Drugs and Depression
A look at the life and legacy of the iconic grunge singer who died at 27
Kurt Cobain was one of the most influential and successful musicians of the 1990s. His band, Nirvana, pioneered the grunge genre and changed the face of rock music. But behind the scenes, Cobain was a troubled and tormented soul who battled with addiction, mental illness and the pressures of fame. He died by suicide on April 5, 1994, leaving behind a legacy of music and a mystery of what could have been.
The Rise of Nirvana
Cobain was born on February 20, 1967, in Aberdeen, Washington. He had a happy childhood until his parents divorced when he was nine. He became rebellious and withdrawn, and developed an interest in music. He started playing guitar at 14 and formed his first band, Fecal Matter, at 16. He dropped out of high school and moved to Olympia, where he met bassist Krist Novoselic. They formed Nirvana in 1987 and recruited drummer Dave Grohl in 1990.
Nirvana’s breakthrough came in 1991 with their second album, Nevermind, which featured the hit single “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. The song captured the angst and alienation of a generation and catapulted…
