Kurt Donald Cobain, an American singer-songwriter, musician, and artist, was born on February 20, 1967, and tragically passed away around April 5, 1994. He was the lead vocalist and guitarist of the iconic grunge band Nirvana, which he co-founded with Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1985.
As a key figure in the Seattle music scene, Nirvana released its debut album Bleach on the independent record label Sub Pop in 1989. After signing with major label DGC Records, the band achieved immense success with the hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit" from its second album Nevermind, released in 1991. This breakthrough led to Nirvana being hailed as the flagship band of Generation X, with Cobain being regarded as the spokesman of a generation.
However, Cobain was often uncomfortable and frustrated with the public's misinterpretation of his message and artistic vision, as well as the media's intense focus on his personal issues. He responded to this by challenging Nirvana's audience with its final studio album In Utero, released in 1993.
During the final years of his life, Cobain struggled with heroin addiction, illness, and depression, as well as the pressures of fame and his relationship with musician Courtney Love. On April 8, 1994, Cobain was found dead at his home in Seattle, with the official cause of death being a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head.
The circumstances of his death have remained a topic of public fascination and debate. Throughout his career, Nirvana, with Cobain as a songwriter, has sold an impressive 25 million albums in the US alone and over 50 million worldwide.
