Nirvana's Kurt Cobain – in pictures

# Indie

# Kurt Cobain

# Nirvana

# Pop and rock

Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of Kurt Cobain's death. From early days of fatherhood to the band's famous MTV Unplugged session, a look back at the late rock icon

Gallery
Kurt Cobain of Nirvana during the taping of MTV Unplugged at Sony Studios in New York City, 1993.
The Nirvana frontman during the taping of MTV Unplugged at Sony Studios in New York City, in 1993. Photograph: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images Photograph: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
Kurt Cobain performs on stage with Nirvana at the MTV Video Music Awards, September 10, 1992. Photograph: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
During the recording of the MTV video music awards in 1992, Nirvana performed the chorus of Rape Me, before launching into Lithium. Photograph: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images Photograph: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
Kurt Cobain of Nirvana Nirvana - 1993.
Cobain in 1993. Photograph: Stephen Sweet/Rex Features Photograph: Stephen Sweet/Rex Features
American rock group Nirvana, Belfast, 1992. Left to right: bassist Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl and guitarist and Kurt Cobain. Photograph: Steve Pyke/Getty Images
Nirvana in Belfast in 1992. From left to right: bassist Krist Novoselic, drummer Dave Grohl and guitarist and Cobain. Photograph: Steve Pyke/Getty Images Photograph: Steve Pyke/Getty Images
Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Kurt Cobain recording in Hilversum Studios. Photograph: Michel Linssen/Redferns/Getty Images
The band recording in Hilversum Studios. Photograph: Michel Linssen/Redferns/Getty Images Photograph: Michel Linssen/Redferns/Getty Images
Kurt Cobain of the band Nirvana swims underwater for a portrait in a North Hollywood pool.
Recreating the iconic Nevermind cover art, Cobain swims underwater for a portrait in a north Hollywood pool. Photograph: Kirk Weddle/Corbis Photograph: Kirk Weddle/Corbis
Kurt Cobain, posed, looking to camera, recording in Hilversum Studios, with acoustic guitar.
Kurt Cobain recording in Hilversum Studios. Photograph: Michel Linssen/Redfern/Getty Images Photograph: Michel Linssen/Redferns/Getty Images
Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, in concert 25/10/1993.
Following the release of their third and final album, In Utero, Cobain performs with Nirvana in concert in October 1993. Photograph: James Crump/Getty Images Photograph: James Crump/Getty Images
Kurt Cobain, Nirvana, Munich 13/11/1991.
A live shot taken in Munich during a performance in September 1991. Photograph: Rab GP Lewin/PYMCA/Rex Features Photograph: Rab G.P. Lewin/PYMCA /REX
Cobain is shown in a file photo with
'He isolated himself in a lot of ways, emotionally. But he had a genuine, sweet nature,' Grohl (right) told Rolling Stone. Photograph: STR New/Reuters Photograph: STR New / Reuters
Kurt Cobain, Courtney Love and baby Frances Bean attending the 1993 MTV Music Video Awards in Los Angeles 09/02/93.
Cobain and Courtney Love, with daughter Frances Bean, at the 1993 MTV music video awards, in Los Angeles in February 1993. Photograph: Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images Photograph: Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images
Kurt Cobain with his daughter Frances Bean Nirvana - 1993.
Cobain holds his daughter, Frances Bean, in 1993. Photograph: Stephen Sweet/Rex Features Photograph: Stephen Sweet/REX
MTV Live and Loud: Nirvana Performs Live - December 1993.
Nirvana perform at MTV's Live and Loud on Seattle's Pier 48 in December 1993. A DVD of the show was released last year. Photograph: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images Photograph: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images
Kurt Cobain performing live onstage at Palasport, Modena, playing Fender Mustang guitar
Cobain with a Fender Mustang guitar live in Modena, Italy. Photograph: Raffaella Cavalieri/Redferns/Getty Images Photograph: Raffaella Cavalieri/Getty/Raffaella Cavalieri
Kurt Cobain of Nirvana Nirvana - 1993.
Cobain in 1993 outside a cinema bearing the words Men Don't Protect You Anymore. Photograph: Stephen Sweet/Rex Features Photograph: Stephen Sweet/Rex Features

Contributor

Guardian music

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
Kurt Cobain death-scene note disparages Courtney Love

Letter found at the time of Nirvana singer's suicide describes Love as 'a bitch with zits', raising doubts over its sincerity

Sean Michaels

30, Apr, 2014 @11:39 AM

Article image
Would the real Kurt Cobain please stand up?
Film-makers, musicians and authors have reimagined and reinvented the Nirvana frontman ad nauseam – and that’s a problem. On the 20th anniversary of Cobain’s death, Everett True, who knew the singer, struggles to resurrect the spirit of the band

Everett True

05, Apr, 2014 @8:00 AM

Article image
Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck soundtrack to be filled with his home recordings
The album of the documentary, which will include recordings Cobain made on a cassette player at home, will emerge in two versions on 20 November

Guardian music

29, Sep, 2015 @6:54 AM

Article image
Kurt Cobain film is 'not a good legacy', says the Melvins' Buzz Osborne
Childhood friend of Cobain stands by his review of Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck and criticises it for taking Courtney Love’s side

Guardian music

12, Jun, 2015 @7:20 AM

Article image
Kirk Weddle's best photograph: Nirvana's Nevermind swimming baby
‘Spencer is 27 now. I’d love to shoot him again – he’s got some really good tats these days’

Interview by Tim Jonze

06, Jun, 2019 @5:00 AM

Article image
Courtney Love plans Kurt Cobain movie
Singer working on documentary about late husband scheduled for 2014, says director and collaborator Brett Morgan

Sean Michaels

16, Nov, 2012 @1:15 PM

New exhibition captures spirit of Kurt Cobain
Playful, innocent and childlike: a hitherto unseen side of Kurt Cobain is captured by a new exhibition of photographs showing raw emotion off stage and Nirvana's exhilarating performances on it.

Patrick Barkham

14, Oct, 2005 @11:04 PM

Article image
Nirvana's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame collaborations: why they worked
At the grunge band's induction last night, remaining members reunited for performances with Joan Jett, St Vincent, Lorde and Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon. Here's why each choice provided a masterful stroke of musicianship

Ben Travis

11, Apr, 2014 @11:36 AM

Article image
‘Who knew Kurt Cobain was that funny?’
For his new documentary, Brett Morgen was given unrestricted access to the Nirvana frontman’s archives. He talks about his unflinching portrait

Kathryn Bromwich

08, Mar, 2015 @8:45 AM

Article image
Kurt Cobain to appear in Guitar Hero 5
The late Nirvana frontman will be resurrected as a pixellated grunge throwback in the latest instalment of the video game

Sean Michaels

28, Aug, 2009 @9:13 AM