Cobain, Kurt Donald (1967–1994)

Grunge band Nirvana at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1993, receiving the Best Alternative Video Award for ‘In Bloom’. The Seattle-based band – from left, Kris Novoselic, Dave Grohl, and Kurt Cobain – defined and popularized a style of music that came to be known as grunge rock, with the band's first album Bleach (1989) gaining it a counterculture following among college students.

US rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist, founder member of Nirvana. The group popularized grunge rock with the breakthrough of their second album, Nevermind (1991). Their biggest hit was ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ (1991). Cobain's suicide in 1994 shocked fans worldwide.

Born in rural Washington State, Cobain played in various groups from his midteens on. He formed Nirvana in 1986 with bassist Krist Novoselic, and the line-up that was to bring them the most success featured drummer Dave Grohl. Nirvana's first album, Bleach, was recorded for Seattle's independent Sub Pop label in 1988. To the dense, abrasive grunge sound he brought the hooks and melodic felicity of classic pop, some heavy-metal guitar licks, and expressive lyrics. When Nevermind was released on a major label, it sold 10 million copies. Cobain had the pretty face and troubled personality of an archetypal rock star, but his contempt for the commercialism of the music industry made it impossible for him to adapt to chart success – the follow-up to Nevermind, In Utero (1993), had the working title I Hate Myself and I Want to Die. A few weeks after a nearly fatal drug-and-alcohol overdose in Rome, Italy, during a European tour, he shot himself at his home in Seattle. Cobain's Journals were published posthumously in 2002.

Cobain was married to US singer Courtney Love 1992–94.