Kurt Cobain
Founding member, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter for Nirvana

Kurt Cobain joined the 27 club on April 05, 1994. The cause of death is recorded as: Suicide by gunshot

Kurt Donald Cobain was an American musician, born on February 20, 1967, in Aberdeen, Washington. He gained international recognition as the lead vocalist, guitarist, primary songwriter, and founding member of the grunge rock band Nirvana. Cobain's angsty songwriting and anti-establishment persona widened the thematic conventions of mainstream rock music, making him a spokesman for his generation and a significant influence on alternative rock music.

Forming Nirvana in 1987 with Krist Novoselic and Aaron Burckhard, Cobain established themselves as part of the Seattle music scene that later became known as grunge. Nirvana went through lineup changes, with Chad Channing being replaced by Dave Grohl before their debut album Bleach was released on Sub Pop in 1989. With this finalized line-up, the band signed with DGC and found commercial success with their critically acclaimed second album, Nevermind, and its hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (1991). Throughout their career, Cobain wrote many other Nirvana hits such as "Come as You Are," "Lithium," "In Bloom," "Heart-Shaped Box," "All Apologies," "About a Girl," "Aneurysm," "You Know You're Right," and "Something in the Way."

Despite his widespread influence, Cobain was uncomfortable with being hailed as the voice of his generation. During his final years, he struggled with chronic depression, heroin addiction, and personal and professional pressures, including his tumultuous marriage to fellow musician Courtney Love. In March 1994, Cobain overdosed on a combination of champagne and Rohypnol, leading to an intervention and detox program. Tragically, he was found dead in the greenhouse of his Seattle home on April 8, 1994, at the age of 27, from a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head.

Cobain's legacy continues to be celebrated, with posthumous inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2014) alongside his bandmates Novoselic and Grohl. He is recognized as one of the greatest songwriters, guitarists, and singers in rock history, appearing on numerous lists compiled by esteemed music publications such as Rolling Stone and MTV. Cobain's influence on alternative rock music remains undeniable, shaping generations of musicians and continuing to inspire new artists today.