It's difficult to imagine but if Kurt Cobain was still with us he would have been celebrating his 50th birthday in 2017, but sadly he was lost to us in April 1994 at just the age of 27.
Born Febuary 20th, 1967 Cobain became know as the 'spokesman of a generation', after Nirvana were propelled to fame following the release of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" from their second album Nevermind issued in 1991. Despite releasing only three full-length studio albums in their seven-year career, Nirvana has come to be regarded as one of the most influential and important rock bands of the modern era.
His daughter, Frances Bean Cobain celebrated her dad's birthday and shared a heartfelt note on Instagram remembering her father. "Today would have been your 50th birthday," she wrote. "You are Loved and you are missed. Thank you for giving me the GIFT of Life. Forever your Daughter, Frances Bean Cobain."
Frances told Rolling Stone Magazine "my father sacrificed his life for his art because the world demanded it of him. I think that was one of the main triggers as to why he felt he didn't want to be here and everyone would be happier without him." She went on to say "In reality, if he had lived,...I would have had a dad," she continued. "And that would have been an incredible experience."
No one can deny he was such an iconic image and spokesperson for the music generation he represented at the time and the photograph below for the NME magazine really demonstrates his powerful presence and personality.
© Martyn Goodacre
We love this candid and captivating shot of Kurt Cobain taken by Martyn Goodacre in 1991. He managed to capture this iconic image when Nirvana had a short stay in London, at the Dalmacia Hotel in Shepherd's Bush, before performing at the Astoria.
Martyn Goodacre recalls 'I had to meet the band and their PR Anton Brooks at the Dalmacia Hotel in Shepherds Bush. It was really a bed and breakfast and they were all staying in the basement. I dragged them outside but it was freezing so the session was quickly drawn to an end but not before I walked up and down the road looking for locations. I finally settled on a zebra crossing and a launderette. I managed to get a few solo shots before they darted back into their room to get warm. Other photographers that day had to shoot them inside.'
The image made the front cover of the NME and has since become both an iconic image of Kurt Cobain as well as an famous front cover for the world renowned music publication. It is available to buy here or below.
