View the gallery of Kurt Cobain above.
On April 5, 1994, Kurt Cobain, lead singer of the influential grunge band Nirvana, took his own life in his Lake Washington home. Though he was not discovered until April 8, coroner reports place his death at April 5, which was 18 years ago today. He left this note behind.
Nirvana is not only credited with starting the grunge movement, but also a counterculture that shaped a generation. Kurt Cobain’s death was to gen-Xers what John Lennon’s death was to the baby boomers — though the two deaths were under different circumstance, many people will remember exactly where they were when they heard the news, and still mourn the loss of incredible musicians who stood for more than just the music they made.
Every year, fans flock to Aberdeen, Washington, to drive by the city sign that reads “Welcome to Aberdeen, Come As You Are” and to visit the most recent tribute to the late singer — a statue of his signature Fender Jag-Stang.
Whether he would have liked it or not, Kurt Cobain lives on in the many books, albums and films made about his life and legendary band, and more notably, by the fans and generation who were changed by his music and what he represented.
Do you remember where you were when you heard that Kurt Cobain died?
Related links:
Kurt Cobain’s KISS artwork is a selling feature for Melvins tour van
Happy Birthday Kurt Cobain: 27 Songs That Influenced Nirvana's Lead Singer
Social Grieving: Has social media changed the way we grieve for public figures?