a|one

Not really much of an arguement... just thinking how much it sucks that Kurt Cobain shot himself before I was old enough to go to a concert. Ever wonder what the music scene would be like if Nirvana had kept going? (supposing Kurt survived)

Any opinions/memories/favorite songs welcome

littlemissattitude

I'm not sure I'm a good person to answer this post - I've still not completely gotten over being pissed off at Cobain for offing himself. Yeah, I know the story - the physical as well as the psychic pain he seemed to be in. But he had a Gift (in my opinion, anyway) and it just makes me furious that he chose to waste it. Also, he had a kid he should have been thinking about, rather than just his attitude that it was just such a bummer to be famous.

I think he was a brilliant writer. I mean, I'm past the age to be in the generation that should have identified with his work, but I identified with it anyway. That takes talent, I think, to be able to work within a very generational-specific genre like grunge and pull in people of an age who should have considered him just the flavor of the month for high-schoolers.

I also have to say something about Courtney Love here. I understand that some of Cobain's fans aren't/weren't fond of her and thought she was bad for him and for his career. She hasn't helped that perception by some of the ridiculous things she's done recently. But I see them as an interesting pair. Having heard both of them interviewed at different times, aside from their rock-star affectations, both came across as quite bright individuals. I think absent the drugs and absent the celebrity circus, they were a good fit for each other. I don't know; just my opinion, I guess.

Oh, and in relation to the songs: "Here we are now, entertain us" is a brilliant line, perhaps one of the most brilliant in all rock music. It captures perfectly not just the generation it was aimed at, but present-day western culture generally. The vast majority of people today, again in my opinion, just aren't going to pay attention unless they're entertained, amused. Otherwise, everything is just "boring". Also, I love that he wrote a song about Frances Farmer ("Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle"). I think he was thinking about having a little bit of revenge on Seattle himself. Whether or not that is true, Frances Farmer was an interesting person (see the film "Frances", with Jessica Lange and Sam Shepard, or better yet, read about her), and certainly had some things to get revenge from Seattle for.

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knivesout

In a word, yes.


Also Alice in Chains. And Soundgarden (Chris Cornell is as good as dead, based on his moribund showing on the new Audioslave single, 'Be Yourself).


Damn.

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LadyFel

Not really...I was 17 when he shot himself, and I liked a few of their songs, but honestly, ALL these crazes on the music scene sort of tend to go over my head...

If I like something, great, if not, ok, but I've never been a Beatlemania type...I was sorry when he died, but I moved on to other stuff...Michael Hutchence too...I didn't look on their deaths in the musical sense, but in the human tragedy sphere...

I do agree with LMA about Courtney Love though...as she's been around a lot longer now and in the media all the time with her problems, those few times she's actuaččy been sober during an interview and the couple of movies she's made have cinvinced me there's a powerful intellect behind the facade...Too bad she's wasting it in the worst possble way

I, Brian

A better question might be - imagine what would have happened if Mudhoney had the big break instead of Nirvana.

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knivesout

A bit like all the crazes in the lit scene go over my head I guess. Courtney Love can't write a good song without Cobain, Corgan or maybe Drew Barrymore ghost-writing it for her.

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Princess Ivy

I liked nirvan. their early stuff. but having recently re-listend to that rather pathetic and self-pittying unplugged album, i'm sorry to say that if that was the way they were going to keep going, its best that they didn't. I'll remember classic nirvana (still agro that i lost their early cd's in a burglary) and that i can listen to when i do get those cd's replaced.

Polgara

I do. The world is a much sadder, emptier place without him and his musical genius

Leto

Yep I do too.
Was it for solely his talent or am I missing my youth ? I don't know, but I really miss him.

Neon

Absolutely not. I hated Nirvana, and hated grunge music even more. IMO, the only reason Nirvana is so reverred is because Cobain killed himself (but then again that isn't an uncommon result given other history). I give him credit for successfully being able to tap into the disgruntled feelings of the generation ..... but then again the band was devoid of any musical talent. If he had lived, they would have put out more albums which fans would view meek in comparison to Nevermind or Unplugged. I don't wish death upon any man, but I certainly neither miss him nor the band.

a|one

What makes you think their talentless? Have you actually read or contemplated any of their lyrics? have you heard any songs that werent hits?

Foxbat

I don't miss Kurt Cobain's music simply because it didn't do anything for me. That doesn't mean that it's bad - just that it ain't for me.

On the other hand, I do miss the musical talents of the likes of Joplin, Morrison, Hendrix, Alex Harvey, Tommy Bolin.....the list of musical tragedies is endless and in that respect (sadly) Kurt Cobain is neither the first or last

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Neon

If you noticed I complimented him on being able to relate to the generation, i.e. in his lyrics. But I feel the actual music is pure rubbish (both singing and musicianship). And just because a song is a "hit" doesn't mean it's good music. Just look at all the pop/rap junk that sell millions of records.

Winters_Sorrow

You've just reminded me of a classic simpsons episode where Homer goes to Hullapalooza (guest starring the smashing pumpkins & sonic youth)
Bart says to Lisa "Making teenagers unhappy is like shooting fish in a barrel.
That kind of sums up my feelings on Kurt Cobain. Liked some of his songs - thought he was over-rated at the time, and then he killed himself and a new generation has 'discovered' him
I'm glad some people liked his music, but he's just another dead rock star to me, I'm afraid.

Personally, I was more upset when Freddie Mercury died

littlemissattitude

Here, here, Foxbat. Especially Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison. I've been a big fan of both of them ever since...well, ever since they were both still alive. It's just too bad that their excesses caught up with them. I think it's interesting that Morrison seemed to realize - at least to some extent - near the end of his life that he might have blown it. There's a line in one of his poems that talks about how "I pissed it all away". I have to say that I cried when read that.

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