We Lost Kurt Cobain (April 5, 1994) 20 Years Ago Today

We didn't hear the news until I believe April 8th of 1994, but it was thought 20 years ago today that Kurt Cobain died due to an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound.

I'll be upfront, back in the early 90s, I was more about the hair metal and rap, but it was still shocking as really in mainstream music at this point Nirvana was at the top of the world.

Nirvana busted out with "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "bye bye" went the pretty-boy hair bands pretty much overnight. It was like a bomb exploded over bands like Poison, Motley Crue, Def Leppard, etc.

With 'MTV Uplugged', huge album sales, pop radio airplay and integrity they were becoming the one of the monster bands like the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin.

Kurt Cobain's writing was very intelligent and poetic, something that at the time most bands were not about. Nirvana with Cobain were connecting with passionate Gen Xers and critics making them not just popular but still liked by the ones who "noticed them first." They were able to keep credibility and be able to sort of sell out, not an easy thing to do.

There has always been debate as to whether Cobain committed suicide or was murdered and recently this subject is back in the news.

Regardless of the truth surrounding Cobain's death it was one of the days when you knew where you were when you heard the news.