Kurt Cobain, the troubled but influential leader of grunge legend Nirvana took his own life 17 years ago Tuesday in his home in Seattle. He was 27 years old.

Found by an electrician several days after the suicide, Cobain is survived by his flamboyant rocker wife Courtney Love and their pair's young daughter Frances Bean.
"The fact is, I can’t fool you, any one of you. It simply isn’t fair to you or me," Cobain wrote in the handwritten suicide note that was found near his body. "The worst crime I can think of would be to rip people off by faking it and pretending as if I’m having 100% fun."

Nirvana only had three studio albums before Cobain died. The trio's debut, "Bleach," was released through the influential Seattle indie label Subpop in 1989, in what would be the dawn of the grunge era.

After the New York City art-punk group Sonic Youth was signed to Geffen in 1990, the band encouraged the major label to sign Nirvana. "Nevermind" was released in 1991 with new drummer Dave Grohl providing the punishing foundation for the loud-quiet-loud style of Cobain's haunting arrangements, epitomized in their biggest hit, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" which topped the Billboard charts in January 1992.

Cobain, unfortunately, was never comfortable in the spotlight, and definitely ill-at-ease with the MTV-fueled fame. In his collected diary entries titled "Journals" released in 2002, the depressed heroin addict shed a light on his self-loathing and success. "I made about 5 million dollars last year," Cobain wrote, "ill [sic] be able to sell my untalented, very ungenious ass for years based on my cult status."

Although Cobain never really cashed in on his cult status, in 2006 his widow Courtney Love Cobain sold a 25% stake in Nirvana's song catalog to a New York publishing company in a deal that helped his estate reap approximately $50 million from October 2005 through October 2006.
Drugs were prevalent in Cobain's life and lyrics, but just a few years before his death the rock star sat down with longtime Times music critic Robert Hilburn in the singer's Hollywood Hills home and said that being a father trumped being high.

"I knew that when I had a child, I'd be overwhelmed and it's true," a 25-year-old Cobain told Hilburn in 1992 about Frances. "I can't tell you how much my attitude has changed since we've got Frances. Holding my baby is the best drug in the world."

Unfortunately Cobain's demons, which stemmed from an unhappy childhood and a lifelong struggle with stomach pains, got the best of him and he shot himself in his home. The Seattle Times ran a photo of the bloody scene and later explained why they published the gory image.

In the column titled "Photo Of Death Showed Grim Reality Of Choice Cobain Made On Life," Seattle Times editor Michael R. Fancher explained that although some fans objected to the use of the newspaper's sad photo, it was important to publish.

"In some ways the official conversation about whether to run the photo might have been secondary to the testimonial that had taken place around the photo desk," Francher wrote in 1994. "The picture has an arresting quality that says, 'This is the truth. It isn't pleasant, but this is what happened.'"

Cobain would have been 44 years old this year.

I know, I know his name is KIRK Douglas. I know this because I am of a certain age, and I grew up watching old movies, and reading Hollywood lore. When you love Hollywood, you love the lore.

A new generation was exposed to Mr. Douglas last night, including my sons, who were wondering who he was, and also wondering, as many were, why he was chosen as a presenter. I don’t know why he was chosen, but he certainly seemed to be enjoying himself.

As we watched the old and partially impaired Mr. Douglas, I explained to the kids that once upon a time he was a virile and feisty movie star, a heartthrob even, who was always ripping his shirt off in movies. The kids were skeptical, but intrigued. And I guess they’re not alone, because the Number Two search on Google today was for KURT Douglas.

Ouch. No matter how big a movie star you are, at some point no one will know your name anymore.

Kirk’s original, given name, was Issur Danielovich. He later went by the name Issy Demsky, until he eventually changed it officially to Kirk Douglas when he became an actor. I told you I loved the lore.

Kurt Douglas, however, is an engineer, a dancer, or an event planner, depending upon which Linked In profile you look at.

The Kurt/Kirk issue is just one more sign that time is marching on. The Oscars know this, and they tried hard to straddle the gap between the young internet set and the classic viewer, i.e., those of us who love the lore. There was some forced merriment involving tweets and apps for the young set, and then some nuggets like Kurt, er, Kirk Douglas and a technically evoked Bob Hope. Bob Hope is still funnier than any app.

I know, I know his name is KIRK Douglas. I know this because I am of a certain age, and I grew up watching old movies, and reading Hollywood lore. When you love Hollywood, you love the lore.

A new generation was exposed to Mr. Douglas last night, including my sons, who were wondering who he was, and also wondering, as many were, why he was chosen as a presenter. I don’t know why he was chosen, but he certainly seemed to be enjoying himself.

As we watched the old and partially impaired Mr. Douglas, I explained to the kids that once upon a time he was a virile and feisty movie star, a heartthrob even, who was always ripping his shirt off in movies. The kids were skeptical, but intrigued. And I guess they’re not alone, because the Number Two search on Google today was for KURT Douglas.

Ouch. No matter how big a movie star you are, at some point no one will know your name anymore.

Kirk’s original, given name, was Issur Danielovich. He later went by the name Issy Demsky, until he eventually changed it officially to Kirk Douglas when he became an actor. I told you I loved the lore.

Kurt Douglas, however, is an engineer, a dancer, or an event planner, depending upon which Linked In profile you look at.

The Kurt/Kirk issue is just one more sign that time is marching on. The Oscars know this, and they tried hard to straddle the gap between the young internet set and the classic viewer, i.e., those of us who love the lore. There was some forced merriment involving tweets and apps for the young set, and then some nuggets like Kurt, er, Kirk Douglas and a technically evoked Bob Hope. Bob Hope is still funnier than any app.

Kurt Rambis heading to Minnesota?
According to the Times' own Mike Bresnahan and Broderick Turner, that appears to be the case. Rambis flew to Minneapolis for what would constitute the third meeting between Clark Kent and the Wolves brass. And given how this franchise is in serious "trimming the fat" mode when it comes to allocated dollars, I understand why Brez and BT figure los Lobos didn't jet Rambis into town simply to show him around Mall of America. If his potential departure made your "Worry List," probably time to start chomping on the ol' finger nails.

Should this deal go down, I think the Wolves landed themselves a good and sensible hire. Rambis did, in my opinion, a solid closing out a chaotic '99 season after Del Harris was fired, acquitting himself about as well as could be expected from a rookie coach inheriting a talented but dysfunctional crew. From there, he's gone on to become respected and well-regarded (from everything I've ever read or understood) around the league as an important member of the Laker staff.

Yes, Rambis would be taking over a lousy team, but they're a lousy team with two good pieces (Al Jefferson, Kevin Love), a few youngsters with potential (Jonny Flynn, a healthy Corey Brewer, Ricky Rubio?) and high draft picks certain to come. And since there's no pressure to win right away, the powers that be can afford to take a patient look at Rambis.

Plus, Rambis might get to sign off on a Quentin Richardson trade, which is apparently a lot of fun, since everyone's doing it this offseason!!!
In the meantime, the Lakers will have an easier time, should they choose to do so, transitioning Brian Shaw as the next head coach not named "Phil" or "Jackson." It's a role I've long felt Shaw was being groomed for- I actually thought Shaw would be the guy taking over for Frank Hamblen before PJ shocked the world with his return- and like Rambis in Minnesota, I think the former three-peat member would be a great call. He's young enough to remember what it's like being a player, but far enough removed from active duty to reek of "coach." He communicates well and has a very good way with people. Plus, he's got the everlasting respect of Kobe Bryant, and I'll go out on a limb and predict the brain trusts want a dude with 24's stamp of approval. Obviously, if Jackson stays on longer than expected, the front runner to succeed him may change with that development. But for now, like BK mentioned last week, I think Shaw could be in ownership of the proverbial "cat bird seat."

Also, as an unrelated FYI. The Press-Enterprise's Jeffrey Eisenberg reported earlier today that Sasha Vujacic suffered a left knee injury while working with the Slovenian National Team. It didn't sound too serious at the time, and the latest update has The Machine practicing with the team again. Hopefully, we're back to biz as usual.



Photo: Kurt Rambis. Credit: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images North America

Kurt Rambis heading to Minnesota?
According to the Times' own Mike Bresnahan and Broderick Turner, that appears to be the case. Rambis flew to Minneapolis for what would constitute the third meeting between Clark Kent and the Wolves brass. And given how this franchise is in serious "trimming the fat" mode when it comes to allocated dollars, I understand why Brez and BT figure los Lobos didn't jet Rambis into town simply to show him around Mall of America. If his potential departure made your "Worry List," probably time to start chomping on the ol' finger nails.

Should this deal go down, I think the Wolves landed themselves a good and sensible hire. Rambis did, in my opinion, a solid closing out a chaotic '99 season after Del Harris was fired, acquitting himself about as well as could be expected from a rookie coach inheriting a talented but dysfunctional crew. From there, he's gone on to become respected and well-regarded (from everything I've ever read or understood) around the league as an important member of the Laker staff.

Yes, Rambis would be taking over a lousy team, but they're a lousy team with two good pieces (Al Jefferson, Kevin Love), a few youngsters with potential (Jonny Flynn, a healthy Corey Brewer, Ricky Rubio?) and high draft picks certain to come. And since there's no pressure to win right away, the powers that be can afford to take a patient look at Rambis.

Plus, Rambis might get to sign off on a Quentin Richardson trade, which is apparently a lot of fun, since everyone's doing it this offseason!!!
In the meantime, the Lakers will have an easier time, should they choose to do so, transitioning Brian Shaw as the next head coach not named "Phil" or "Jackson." It's a role I've long felt Shaw was being groomed for- I actually thought Shaw would be the guy taking over for Frank Hamblen before PJ shocked the world with his return- and like Rambis in Minnesota, I think the former three-peat member would be a great call. He's young enough to remember what it's like being a player, but far enough removed from active duty to reek of "coach." He communicates well and has a very good way with people. Plus, he's got the everlasting respect of Kobe Bryant, and I'll go out on a limb and predict the brain trusts want a dude with 24's stamp of approval. Obviously, if Jackson stays on longer than expected, the front runner to succeed him may change with that development. But for now, like BK mentioned last week, I think Shaw could be in ownership of the proverbial "cat bird seat."

Also, as an unrelated FYI. The Press-Enterprise's Jeffrey Eisenberg reported earlier today that Sasha Vujacic suffered a left knee injury while working with the Slovenian National Team. It didn't sound too serious at the time, and the latest update has The Machine practicing with the team again. Hopefully, we're back to biz as usual.



Photo: Kurt Rambis. Credit: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images North America