1967
Kurt Donald Cobain
1967-1973
1974-1979
1979-1982
“I’d rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I am not. The duty of youth is to challenge corruption.”
– Kurt Cobain
Early Childhood (1967-1973)
Age 2-4
Shows early musical aptitude, enjoying family jam sessions and making up his own lyrics
Age 5-6
Begins learning simple melodies on piano by ear; receives Mickey Mouse drum set from parents “Bleach” is released
Growing Up Years (1974-1979)
Age 7
Diagnosed with hyperactivity; prescribed Ritalin briefly and placed on a special diet
Age 9
Parents divorce when Kurt is about to enter fourth grade; develops stress-related eye twitch
Age 10-12
Early health issues emerge, possibly early signs of the chronic stomach condition that would affect him throughout his life
Adolescence (1979-1982)
Age 12
Begins seventh grade at Montesano Junior High School; joins school band as drummer
Age 12-13
Joins junior varsity wrestling squad; forms relationship with coach Kinichi Kanno, an important male role model
Age 13
Artistic talents emerge; artwork featured on cover of school paper Puppy Press
Age 14-15
Begins making early statements about becoming a musician
Discovering Punk Rock (1982-1986)
Age 16
Discovers punk rock through the Melvins, who become a significant influence; begins skipping school
Age 18-19
Makes short experimental Super-8 films, showing his broader artistic interests beyond music
Age 19
Records the Fecal Matter demo tape, which convinces Krist Novoselic to form a band with him
Early Music & Nirvana (1986-1989)
Age 19
Makes his debut performance in front of a paying audience at Gessco club in Olympia, reading poetry while Dale Crover and Buzz Osborne of the Melvins play improvised music
Age 19
Rents his first place at 1000½ East Second Street in Aberdeen with Matt Lukin, and later Dylan Carlson; Records early demo material here including “Mrs. Butterworth”
Age 19-20
Works as a roadie for the Melvins, learning about the music industry firsthand
Age 21
Begins relationship with Tracy Marander, who provides creative support during this formative period
Age 20
Records first Nirvana demo with producer Jack Endino, Krist Novoselic on bass, and Dale Crover on drums and backing vocals
Age 21
Demo circulates in Seattle music scene, leading to interest from Sub Pop Records
Age 22
Nirvana signs with Sub Pop for a single and an EP; begins developing underground following
Age 22
Releases debut album “Bleach” on Sub Pop Records, recorded for just $606.17
Rise to Prominence (1990-1991)
1990 (Age 23): Meets Tobi Vail of Bikini Kill; becomes involved in Olympia’s influential indie music scene, engaging with feminist and DIY ethics through figures like Calvin Johnson of Beat Happening and K Records
August 1990 (Age 23): During a night of drinking, Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill writes “Kurt smells like Teen Spirit” on his apartment wall, later inspiring the song title
September 1990 (Age 23): Dave Grohl joins Nirvana as drummer, completing the classic lineup
May 2-June 1991 (Age 24): Records Nevermind with producer Butch Vig at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California
Spring 1991 (Age 24): Signs with major label DGC Records, a pivotal move from the indie world to the mainstream
Nevermind Era and Mainstream Success (1991-1992)
September 24, 1991 (Age 24): Nevermind released, featuring iconic songs like “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” “Come As You Are,” and “Lithium”
November 1991 (Age 24): “Smells Like Teen Spirit” music video debuts on MTV’s 120 Minutes, quickly moving to daytime rotation
January 11, 1992 (Age 24): Nevermind reaches #1 on the Billboard 200 chart, displacing Michael Jackson
January 1992 (Age 24): Performs on Saturday Night Live, reaching a massive mainstream television audience
February 24, 1992 (Age 25): Marries Courtney Love on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii
August 18, 1992 (Age 25): Daughter Frances Bean Cobain born
August 1992 (Age 25): Performs at the Reading Festival in England while wearing a hospital gown, a legendary performance that addressed rumors about his health
Social Advocacy and In Utero (1992-1993)
August 1992 (Age 25): Performs at a “No on 9” benefit concert in Portland, opposing homophobic legislation in Oregon
Fall 1992 (Age 25): Includes statement in Incesticide liner notes rejecting sexist, racist, and homophobic fans
February 12-26, 1993 (Age 26): Records In Utero with producer Steve Albini at Pachyderm Studios in Minnesota
April 1993 (Age 26): Gives a candid interview to The Advocate, discussing his support for LGBTQ rights and describing himself as “gay in spirit”
September 1993 (Age 26): In Utero released, debuting at #1 on Billboard charts with more challenging, less commercial sound
November 18, 1993 (Age 26): Records MTV Unplugged in New York at Sony Music Studios, creating one of the band’s most acclaimed performances with innovative acoustic arrangements and covers
Final Months (1994)
January 30, 1994 (Age 27): Records “You Know You’re Right,” Nirvana’s final studio recording, at Robert Lang Studios in Seattle
February 1994 (Age 27): Embarks on European tour with Nirvana
March 3-4, 1994 (Age 27): Overdoses in Rome and is hospitalized
March 1994 (Age 27): Final public appearances and performances
March 30, 1994 (Age 27): Enters rehab facility in Los Angeles
April 1, 1994 (Age 27): Leaves rehab facility and returns to Seattle
April 5, 1994 (Age 27): Dies by suicide at his home in Seattle
April 8, 1994 (Age 27): Body discovered by electrician Gary Smith
April 10, 1994 (Age 27): Public memorial held in Seattle where thousands gather
Musical Legacy
November 1, 1994: MTV Unplugged in New York released posthumously, winning Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album
October 28, 1996: From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah live compilation released
November 23, 2004: With the Lights Out box set released, featuring previously unreleased material
April 14, 2014: Kurt Cobain and Nirvana inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
2023: Nirvana honored with Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
Kurt’s Legacy in Numbers
Kurt’s music represented authenticity in an era of artifice, giving voice to the disillusioned and creating a sound that was both accessible and subversive
The Melvins
The Pixies
Sonic Youth