April 5 marks the sombre anniversary of Kurt Cobain’s untimely death, which occurred thirty years ago when the Nirvana frontman tragically took his own life at the tender age of 27.
At the time of his passing, Cobain seemed to have the world at his fingertips. He had recently tied the knot with singer Courtney Love, now 59, and was a proud father to eight-month-old daughter Frances. Additionally, he had achieved immense success with Nirvana, boasting two chart-topping studio albums.
However, on April 5, 1994, Cobain’s life came to a violent and abrupt end, leaving music fans devastated and his loved ones shattered with grief. In fact, his tragic death led to a heated battle between Billboard and 60 Minutes.
Kurt Cobain’s Untimely Demise Led to an Unexpected Battle Between Billboard and 60 Minutes
Kurt Cobain’s death rattled everyone in the world, but some people had very different reactions to his untimely passing.
In the April 23, 1994, issue of Billboard, the news of Kurt Cobain’s death was prominently featured with headlines such as “Cobain Mourned By Fans, Industries In Memorials, Music Stores” and “Cobain Death Spurs Rush At Retail: Biz Talk Turns To Band’s Unreleased Work.”
In the subsequent issue, Billboard sharply criticized the “witless, mean-spirited comments” made by 60 Minutes contributor Andy Rooney, who had dismissed Cobain’s death on-air by questioning, “What would all these young people be doing if they had real problems?”
Billboard condemned Rooney’s remarks, suggesting that CBS should consider implementing a mandatory retirement policy in light of such insensitive commentary.
How Did Kurt Cobain Die?
Kurt Cobain’s final days were marked by troubling incidents that ultimately culminated in his tragic death. After leaving rehab on April 1, 1994, he visited a gun store in Seattle the following day, purchasing shotgun shells. When questioned by a taxi driver about his purchase, Cobain expressed concerns about potential burglaries at his home.
Six days later, on April 8, Cobain’s body was discovered in a room above his garage at his Seattle residence by an electrician installing security lighting. Initially mistaken as being asleep, Cobain was found with a gunshot wound, alongside a suicide note affixed to a nearby flower pot.
The shotgun used in Cobain’s death belonged to his friend Dylan Carlson. Reports later indicated that Cobain had asked Carlson to purchase the gun, fearing potential legal repercussions, as he had faced firearm confiscation by police in the past.
Kurt Cobain left a poignant note before his tragic death, stabbing it into a flower pot with a pen, embedding the message into the soil. The note read:
“I have it good, very good, and I’m grateful, but since the age of seven, I’ve become hateful towards all humans in general…. Thank you all from the pit of my burning, nauseous stomach for your letters and concern during the past years. I’m too much of an erratic, moody baby! I don’t have the passion anymore, and so remember, it’s better to burn out than to fade away.”
Post-mortem tests revealed the presence of morphine and valium in Cobain’s bloodstream. Seattle police officially ruled his death as suicide by gunshot, dating his demise to April 5, 1994, despite the discovery of his body occurring three days later. The circumstances surrounding Cobain’s death continue to provoke discussion and speculation among fans and scholars alike.