Kurt Cobain: The Last Interview and Other Conversations

Kurt Cobain burst into American consciousness with a vengeance with the release of Nevermind, an instant classic that defined a sound and a generation. Three years later, he was dead of suicide, leaving a meteoric career and a cultural influence that would never wane.

As the lead singer and guitarist of Nirvana, Kurt Cobain changed American music as few musicians ever have. His instantly identifiable raspy croon, his slash-and-burn guitar playing, and his corrosive and poetic lyrics made him a hero to a generation of lost souls. In interviews Cobain was funny, thoughtful, sarcastic, impassioned, and even kind. This collection of interviews provides a look at a man who was too often misunderstood.

Kurt Cobain (February 20, 1967 – April 5, 1994) was an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter. With his band Nirvana he invented the hard-rock genre known as grunge and became an inspiration to a generation with his corrosive, poetic lyrics and blistering stage presence. He was inducted posthumously into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.

vii        INTRODUCTION BY DANA SPIOTTA
 
3          “I CONSIDER ROCK AND ROLL LIKE MATHEMATICS”
            Interview by Bob Gulla
            CD NOW
            April 18, 1990
 
00        SMITH COLLEGE RADIO INTERVIEW
            Interview by Laura Begley and Anne Filson
            WOZQ
            April 27, 1990
 
00        MY EMBARRASSING INTERVIEW WITH KURT COBAIN
            Interview by Roberto LoRusso
            CHRW London Ontario
            September 20, 1991
 
00        “I’LL GO BACK TO PLAYING IN FRONT OF 20 PEOPLE—IF I’M STILL ENJOYING IT”
            Interview by Jon Savage
            Guitar World
            July 22, 1993
 
00        KURT COBAIN, UNPLUGGED
            Interview by Erica Ehm
            Much Music TV
            August 10, 1993
 
00        COBAIN ON COBAIN
            Interview by Edgar Klüsener
            August 10, 1993
 
00        SUCCESS DOESN’T SUCK
            Interview by David Fricke
           Rolling Stone
            January 27, 1994
 
00        THE LAST INTERVIEW
            Interview by Chuck Crisafulli
            Fender Frontline Magazine
            February 11, 1994