Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain, pictured at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards show, was born Feb. 20, 1967. He would have been 48 years old now. Reuters

Feb. 20 marks what would have been Kurt Cobain’s 48th birthday. The singer, songwriter and guitarist was born in 1967 in Aberdeen, Washington. Becoming obsessed with the guitar as a teen, Cobain went on to form a band with friend Krist Novoselic in 1985. That band eventually turned into Nirvana with drummer Dave Grohl.

Nirvana found sudden success in 1991 with the release of its first major-label record, “Nevermind.” The following year Cobain wed Hole singer Courtney Love in Hawaii. In August 1992, they welcomed their only child, Frances Bean Cobain.

Cobain experimented with drugs throughout his career. He made an attempt at rehab in 1992, and again in 1994. On April 5, 1994, Kurt Cobain died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after using heroin. His body was discovered on April 8 at his Seattle home.

Kurt Cobain led a troubled life, but he’s remembered for his musical talent. On his 48th birthday, we’re looking back at some of his most memorable quotes from interviews:

1. “I didn’t want all the limelight because even if you’re not a songwriter, the lead singer always get everything. They get all the attention and everything. And I still to this day would much prefer that.”

- VH1 interview

2. “I really don’t go for the CD revolution either. There’s something I like about records. I really can’t explain it. I know it sounds stupid, but music to me is sacred.”

- Cambridge, Massachusetts, interview (April 1990)

3. “Alternative music is no longer alternative once it’s in the mainstream.”

- Cambridge interview (April 1990)

4. “All drugs are a waste of your time. They destroy your memory and your self-respect and everything that goes along with your self-esteem. They make you feel good for a little while, and then they destroy you. They’re no good at all. But I’m not going to go around preaching against it. It’s your choice, but in my experience, I’ve found they’re a waste of time.”

- Rolling Stone interview (April 1992)

5. “I don’t blame the average 17-year-old punk-rock kid for calling me a sellout. I understand that. And maybe when they grow up a little bit, they’ll realize there’s more things to life than living our your rock and roll identity too righteously.”

- Rolling Stone interview (April 1992)

6. “I had a really good childhood, until the divorce. Then, all of a sudden, my whole world changed. I started to understand the reality of my surroundings, which didn’t have a lot to offer.”

- Jon Savage interview (1993)

7. “I just hope I don’t become so blissful I become boring. I think I’ll always be neurotic enough to do something weird.”

- Rolling Stone interview (January 1994)

8. “I never wanted to sing. I just wanted to play rhythm guitar – hide in the back and just play. But during those high school years when I was playing guitar in my bedroom, I at least had the intuition that I had to write my own songs.”

- Rolling Stone interview (January 1994)

9. “It was so fast and explosive. I didn’t know how to deal with it. If there was a Rock Star 101 course, I would have liked to take it. It might have helped me.”

- Rolling Stone interview (January 1994)

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