If you are a true punk rock lover, you probably know about Nirvana, Generation X’s flagship band and their legendary lead singer and songwriter Kurt Cobain. Chances are you have heard of these names, even if you are not a true fan.
But do you know their story? Be it behind their success, fallout, or personal lives. Having been a fan myself, I have curated a list of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana books that get to the bottom of their experiences- the good, the bad, and the ugly. So, let’s rock and roll.
Serving the Servant, by Danny Goldberg (2019)
This is a riveting Kurt Cobain biography to fill you in on his life and Nirvana’s journey. Danny was Cobain’s manager, and he gives a different perspective in this book. Instead of focusing on the dark side of Kurt’s life, he reflects on the lovely, insightful tender-hearted singer who was full of life and talented despite his untimely death.
When Danny took on the band, he had no idea that it would become one of the most sensational bands in America and that Kurt would be a legend in pop culture. Only comparable to the likes of Michael Jackson and John Lennon. This was just the beginning of a timeless story.
In this book, Danny reveals the success of the Nevermind album, the incredible life of Kurt meeting and marrying Courtney Love, and the critics that came with the ups and downs of their relationship. He also talks about hidden memory files and interviews with Kurt.
You will get to know about Kurt’s inner circle and marvel at his love and ambition for music. Danny intriguely captures what other previously published books overshadowed: the portrait of a legendary artist and not a ‘tortured soul, troubled boy’ narrative.
Heavier than Heaven, by Charles R. Cross (2019)
Heavier than Heaven is one of the most gruesome and deeply revealing biography books of Kurt Cobain you will ever come across. It is a page-turner describing the actual events of the Nirvana band, with Kurt Cobain’s photos and all the happenings surrounding his addiction and drug abuse up to the point of his demise.
Through this book, Charles takes you through an exquisite craft of exposing Kurt’s private life- from the deep secrets revealed in more than 400 interviews, quotes and suicide notes. There is also an unreleased masterpiece by Nirvana in this book.
You will find scrutinized details of Kurt’s lies and how they played a part in his death. You will also see how Cobain’s love life became entangled with his art and some of the stories behind his popular hits.
Cross also unleashes gripping details about Cobain’s childhood trauma. Despite Kurt being a contradictory and famous teen athlete, he had suicidal genes from his relatives.
Find out the truth about Kurt sleeping with his best friend and stealing a car even as a millionaire. These thoughts may be disturbing, but you will relish how Cross puts to rest some of the misconceptions about Kurt’s life with interesting truths.
Nirvana, by Everett True (2009)
This book is thorough and refreshing for any Kurt Cobain enthusiast. Everett engages you with the story of Kurt Cobain and the Nirvana band intensely. The book outwardly gives an inside account of how young musicians get into the music industry and suddenly become poisoned with fame and self-obsession because of attention.
Everett was among the first interviewers of Kurt Cobain, and he covered the first scenes of the Seattle music scene. He also had an interview with Nirvana in the late 80s. Having brought famous bands into the international limelight, he introduced Kurt to Courtney Love. He was also the one who pushed Kurt into the stage of the Reading Festival in 1992 while in a wheelchair. So be sure to get authentic details about Kurt, Nirvana and their highs and lows.
Everett narrates performing with the Nirvana band and how he moved to several stages in different events. You will enjoy the author’s inclusive and authentic voice as he talks about the evaluation of the band that has suffered criticism since 1994.
This book covers the life of Kurt, quotes, other drug dealers, seminars, music scenes, allies and close acquaintances in his life. It is a masterpiece if you want to truly see Kurt’s life through a friend’s point of view and will generally make you think about the development and effects of mental health issues.
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Originally published at https://joelbooks.com on November 16, 2022.
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