The Day The Music Died
by Damon Martin
I was in my car today, listening to my iPod while driving to the movies, and put on a play list I made that put all my favorite Seattle bands together. A little known Nirvana track that became popular a few years ago called “You Know You’re Right” popped on and it got me thinking back to April, 1994.
For my fellow grunge-age followers, we grew up on Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, and of course Nirvana. We rocked our flannel shirts, and all wanted to move to Seattle. It seemed like everything changed on that spring day in 1994.
I remember I was sitting in my bedroom after school, and I think I was drawing at the time, but I had MTV on in the background. You know, back when MTV used to have music videos on? Anyways, a special report hit the air and Kurt Loder proceeds to tell us all that Kurt Cobain was found dead in Seattle, a victim of an apparent suicide from a gunshot to the head.
When I first started to put together an idea for this post, I put up on my Twitter account asking if people remember where they were when they heard that Kurt Cobain died. I was blown away that within minutes I had a ton of responses from people saying they remember sitting in their 7th grade classroom, to others being in college classrooms, and others driving down the street in their car when the news was announced on the radio.
It was a moment that everyone that loved music back then remembers.
I know at that point in my life I had lost a grandparent, and I’m sure there were other notable celebrities that passed away before that, but this is the first time I remember actually being in mourning for someone that I had never met, never talked to, or ever had any personal interaction with. What Kurt Cobain was able to do was create music that moved us all back then. He created a sound that was unique, even though self-admittedly he’d never call himself a great musician.
I think everyone has those moments in their life that they remember someone monumental in the music industry dying, that personally touched their lives through their songs. For another generation it was February 3, 1959 when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper died in a tragic plane crash.
Another generation felt the sting of death on December 8, 1980 when Mark David Chapman unloaded four gunshots into the back and shoulder of former Beatles’ leader John Lennon.
For my generation it was Kurt Cobain.
It was a sad day in my life, and even at 16-years of age I knew that something terribly tragic had just happened. I remember watching in the days that followed the outpouring of fans in Seattle leaving flowers, records, pictures, notes, and anything else they could think of to honor Cobain. This was of course before the internet age so all of our information back then was by television, newspaper or magazines.
Truth be told, at that time and still to this day for all the Seattle bands of that era, Pearl Jam had always been my favorite “grunge” group, but we all had a connection with Nirvana, we all remember Kurt, and Dave, and Krist, and all learned to mosh by listening to “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
After listening to that song today, I came home and listened to the classic Nirvana “Unplugged” album, and remembered all over again what made Kurt Cobain great. His raspy voice combined with great lyrics (even if they all meant something different to everyone), and an ability to connect with anyone listening to them.
As I write this, I wonder what the music world would have been like if Kurt Cobain wouldn’t have died? I know this for sure. The music would will forever be influenced because Kurt Cobain lived, and that’s something we can all hold onto, especially on days like this when he’s missed.
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Flashback Friday: Nirvana Unplugged Released on DVD
Nirvana Unplugged was released on DVD for the first time this week. I always feel a little self-conscious around the apartment listening to Nirvana in front of my boyfriend or with the windows down in my car for others to hear. I'm afraid that people can read my thoughts when I'm listening to Nirvana albums because I go back in time in my mind and want to stay there. So, I was I excited that Nirvana/Courtney Love's Estate finally released Unplugged. I had an excuse yesterday to plop down on the couch and watch hours of never-before-seen-footage of Cobain and friends.
Sixteen years ago my parents went out of town for Thanksgiving and I was alone. I used my freedom to drive their Oldsmobile (without my license - badass!) and wait for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" to come on the radio. I remember being fully aware of the fact that I was a dorky, suburban kid listening to my little anthem. Eerily enough, almost two decades later another Bush is President and another war in Iraq rages on. I still have acne and am scrounging up $15 to buy some Nirvana product. At least for today I'm not going to let that embarrass me.
On to the review, I apologize for the mind-numbing nostalgia. (At least I didnt go on my rant about how Kurt Cobain was one of the only huge rock stars in my lifetime that constantly tackled women's issues in public and challenged homophobia and what it is to be "a man.")
Seriously, I'm going to tell you all about Nirvana Unplugged. If I'm going to buy something like an Unplugged on DVD I'm hoping to see some previously un-televised between-song-banter and fiddling around. Nirvana Unplugged delivers on this with a full unedited version and even some rehearsal footage. It's great for the new Nirvana fan but extra satisfying for the former child of the '90s. With my new and improved adult understanding of psychodrama, I get to watch the dynamics of a band falling apart and a self-destructive front man.
Watching Nirvana Unplugged is like watching a really slow, intense poker match full of slight moves and telling glances. Dave Grohl people-pleases from behind the drums, cracking jokes and playing silly beats when things get tense because Kurt is cranky. Krist Novoselic is semi-checked out and seems to be having a hilarious conversation with someone else in his head. Kurt lights up when he goofs around with Pat Smear who hasnt been around the band long enough to start calling Kurt on his bullshit - just a guess.
I forgot how classically handsome Cobain was. He's like Brad Pitt with dirty hair and a Benson and Hedges Ultra Light 100 in his mouth. There are some great little conversations that were cut from the original MTV airing. Kurt laughs when he tells Krist that he was always scared of the TV show Davey and Goliath. Kurt muses that the show was evil and "not Christian at all." Sadly, you can see his heroin jaw in action, something I didnt know to notice back in the good old days. The angry, overgrown baby inside of Cobain is evident as he starts the show with a furrowed brow and the declaration, "This song is off our first record. Most people dont own it."
The in-studio audience might not have known about Bleach. I dont know where they pulled these people in from; which brings me to my least favorite part of the disc; MTV NEWS: BARE WITNESS in the Extras section. The DVD box promises "Interviews from the band and the lucky ones who were there." There are no band interviews anywhere on this disc. There are interviews from the audience members who are confessing pre-show that they hope the surprise guest will be Eddie Vedder. There are annoying packaged interviews with various low-level network people who are talking about how nervous they were that Kurt wasnt playing a lot of hits and bringing the likes of the Meat Puppets to the MTV audience.
Even though I think this disc is a little shoddy -- come on, they had 16 years to make it good -- overall it's a good buy if you get it on sale. It's kind of fun to watch it in hindsight. Kurt really does seem like he's orchestrated his perfect funeral and a few times his eyes seem to reveal, "I'm so outta here." Dave Grohl looks like he's about to jump out from behind the drum set and christen the Foo Fighters right then and there. It's an interesting snapshot in time of a band that appears to be trying to break new ground as well as just get the whole thing over with.
Courtney Love: Dr. Martens' Unauthorized Cobain Ad is "Despicable" and "Outrageous"
As previously reported, Dr. Martens ads featuring angelic photoshopped versions of Kurt Cobain, Joey Ramone, Joe Strummer, and Sid Vicious wearing the company's footwear began running in the UK this week.
The ads were met with a great amount of negativity from the public and, in statement from her publicist, Courtney Love. The wife of of the late Cobain said she would have never approved the company using his likeness.
"[Courtney] thinks it's outrageous that a company is allowed to commercially gain from such a despicable use... of Kurt's name and likeness. She did not, and would not, approve of such a use...[She] had no idea this was taking place."
Though such a use of the likenesses of the deceased musicians is apparently legal in the UK, the ad agency responsible for the ads, Saatchi & Saatchi, have now been fired by Dr. Martens. The shoe company issued a statement that revealed the ads were never approved by anyone at Dr. Martens.
"Dr Martens is very sorry for any offense that has been caused by the publication of images showing dead rock icons wearing Dr Martens boots.
Dr Martens did not commission the work as it runs counter to our current marketing activities based on FREEDM, which is dedicated to nurturing grass roots creativity and supporting emerging talent.
As a consequence, Dr Martens has terminated its relationship with the responsible agency."
Saatchi & Saatchi has stood by the ads calling them "edgy but not offensive."
Dr. Martens CEO David Suddens later apologized to Love.
We are really, really, really sorry. We do think that it is offensive. We made a mistake. My message to Courtney Love is: This is something we shouldn't have been doing."
Perhaps Ms. Love left one of her famously venomous answering machine messages calling for the head of Suddens, leaving Dr. Martens shaking in its own 10-holes.
Calls After Midnight: Kurt Cobain Reached Out to Iggy Pop
Before his death in 1994, Kurt Cobain once placed a late night call to Stooges frontman Iggy Pop and left the wiley singer a message asking if the pair could team up sometime soon for a studio collaboration. Pop claims he made repeated attempts to contact the Nirvana frontman but to no avail.
The 60-year-old says, "He called me up once at two in the morning. But this was when I was old enough to start going to bed at 9:30. When Im not gigging Im sensible so I didnt take his call.
"It was cool because it was a great musician at his peak and hes going, Iggy, this is Kurt Cobain, lets get in the studio man. "So he leaves me a number for the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. And then every time I would call it was like, Mr. Cobain is under the bed, or We havent heard from Mr. Cobain in three days."
Talk about a missed opportunity...
How to Milk a Dead Cow: Courtney Love Makes Progress with Cobain Biopic
For those of us who saw director Gus Van Sant's Last Days under the assumption that it was about Kurt Cobain, get prepared for a slap in the face with the first authorized movie about the lead singer.
[Courtney] Love has acquired the rights to Heavier Than Heaven, author Charles Cross' biography on the late grunge singer, a source close to the star told Access. According to our source, several studios are in discussions with Love to bring the book to the big screen.
Most book-to-movie deals don't usually follow the script of the actual book. Can anyone really imagine a film that satisfies both the corporate groundhogs and the artistic integrity of a musician such as Cobain? But then again, many wonder as to whether or not Love even cares about preserving the integrety of her late husband. I'm just as guilty as the next hardcore Nirvana fan for racing to the store to snatch-up the box set. Yet I have a genuine, sinking suspicion that Cobain probably wouldn't want me listening to the music thats on those discs, let alone watch a movie based on a biography he didn't approve of.
Ewan McGregor is Love's first choice to play her late husband in the film.
Cobain Reaches Nirvana as Top Earning Dead Celeb
The King is dead. This year Forbes.com declared Presley's reign as the top-earning dead celebrity over. For the first time since the list began 6 years ago the crown was ceded and to none other than newcomer Kurt Cobain nosing out in front of Elvis Presley by a cool 8 mil, who has reigned supreme over all the dead up until this year.
Cobain's triumph can be attributed to financial whiz Courtney Love, the actress, singer, widow, and legacy destroyer. Love sold a 25% stake in the Seattle grunge group's catalog to the New York publishing company PrimeWave. The reported 50 Million dollar sale means that Nirvana fans should expect material in pretty much every commercial and TV spot show in the near future. Brace yourself.
Here are how the dead rank this year:
1. Kurt Cobain - 50 Million
2. Elvis Presley - 42 Million
3. Charles M. Schulz - 35 Million
4. John Lennon - 24 Million
5. Albert Einstein - 20 Million
6. Andy Warhol - 19 Million
7. Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) - 10 Million
8. Ray Charles - 10 Million
9. Marilyn Monroe - 8 Million
10. Johnny Cash - 8 Million
11. J.R.R. Tolkien - 7 Million
12. George Harrison - 7 Million
13. Bob Marley - 7 Million
Fortunately, the future looks bright for dead people, and the advantages of technology can help ensure that their legacy is exploited for years to come in ways they never dreamed or intended. From Forbes.com:
...with emerging technology, the public will likely get an opportunity to hear--and see--a lot more of many deceased stars, often as theyve never been seen before. Already, voice modeling and computer-generated imaging can bring posthumous stars back to provide authentic performances for videogames, films and advertisements. You need only flip on the TV to see Audrey Hepburn dancing about in the Gap's skinny-black-pants advertising campaign.
Here is that commercial:
Love Laments Loss of 'Pulp Fiction' Role
Courtney Love revealed she and her late husband, Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, turned down roles in the 1994 film Pulp Fiction. Love said Pulp director Quentin Tarantino offered the roles of the drug-dealing couple eventually played by Eric Stoltz and Rosanna Arquette. Love admitted she deeply regrets not taking the role; she thought Kurt would have enjoyed taking part in the film.
"If Kurt had survived we'd be taking private jets by now. He'd have loved that."
Kurts delivery of Coke is dead as-- dead
Heroin is coming back in a big fucking way, would have been priceless.
