ThuFeb 20

Featured

Rock Singer

Kurt Cobain

February 20, 2025

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Kurt Cobain was born on February 20, 1967. He undeniably shook rock music to its core. Cobain started as a child with an artistic mind. Although he had a rough childhood, Cobain grew to be one of the most influential musicians in the history of alternative rock. His compositions widened the thematic conventions of mainstream rock music. Today, we’ll help you celebrate his special day right here.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Kurt Donald Cobain

Nickname:

Pixie Meat

Birth date:

February 20, 1967

Death date:

April 5, 1994 (age 27)

Zodiac Sign:

Pisces

Height:

5' 9"

Net Worth:

$50 million

Background

Kurt Donald Cobain was born in Aberdeen, Washington on February 20, 1967. His father, Donald Leland Cobain (born 1946), was an automotive mechanic who worked at Derrell Thompson Chevron Station. His mother was a waitress named Wendy Elizabeth (born in 1948). Cobain’s Irish ancestors emigrated from Carrickmore, County Tyrone, Ireland in 1875. They settled in Ontario, Canada before moving to Washington. Cobain’s family had a musical background. His uncle, Chuck Fradenburg played in a band; his aunt, Mari Earle, was a guitarist. His great-uncle, Delbert McClinton was an Irish tenor who made an appearance in the 1930 film “King of Jazz.”

Cobain enrolled at Robert Gray Elementary School in 1972. He began developing an interest in music when he was two. He had a very normal childhood until his parents divorced in 1975. This event was later cited by Cobain himself as having a significant impact on his life. According to his mother, his personality changed dramatically, and he became more withdrawn. After staying with his mother for one year following the divorce, he moved to Montesano, Washington where he stayed with his father and transferred to Beacon Elementary School. They lived together until the second year of high school then went back to live with his mother. Two weeks before graduation, he dropped out and his mother kicked him out. He spent the next few years living with friends.

Cobain’s affinity for music started when he was very young. He would draw his favorite characters from films and comics. When Cobain was in high school, he attended live shows and rock concerts. On his 14th birthday, his uncle gave him a guitar as a gift. Soon he began working on his songs.

Career timeline

1985

Fecal Matter

After dropping out of high school, Cobain, Dale Crover, and Greg Hokanson form a band.

1988

The Birth of Nirvana

Cobain forms Nirvana with Krist Novoselic as the guitarist and Aaron Burckhard as the drummer.

1990

Sonic Youth Tour

Nirvana lands an opportunity to tour with the rock band Sonic Youth.

1991

Nirvana and Geffen Records Unite

Nirvana releases “Nevermind” and ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit.’

1993

“In Utero”

Cobain and his band release a successful album in September “In Utero.”

1994

His Death

Cobain escapes a detox program, goes home, and dies from suicide on April 5 at age 27.

Why We Love Kurt Cobain

His music was real
Cobain’s music was all about his feelings and the suffering he had gone through. He didn’t hide this part of his life.
He had a good heart
Despite all this fame and recognition, Cobain remained humble. During interviews, he promoted the bands that he grew up listening to.
The music he wrote inspired generations
Cobain’s music shook the entire rock industry. Modern artists such as Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z have quoted Nirvana’s songs in their own lyrics.

5 Surprising Facts

He hated ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’
Yes, it was Nirvana’s biggest hit but Cobain got sick of it once it blew up.
Kurt Cobain predicted his future
At 14, he confessed he planned on becoming a famous rockstar and retiring by passing away due to suicide.
He worked as a janitor
After dropping out of high school, he worked as a janitor in the same school.
He recorded a hit while homeless
When he left his mother’s house, Cobain spent days in the streets and recorded ‘Nevermind.’
He was a drug addict
Cobain admitted to spending $100 daily on heroin.

Kurt Cobain FAQs

Did Kurt Cobain write all of Nirvana’s music?

He was Nirvana’s chief songwriter and he wrote all their lyrics and almost all of their music.

Did Kurt Cobain have kids?

He had a daughter, Frances Bean Cobain who was just 18 months old when her father died.

Did Cobain live under a bridge?

After dropping out of high school, he spent the next few months as a nomad. Cobain lived with his friends and crashed under the North Aberdeen bridge occasionally.