Heavier Than Heaven: The Biography of Kurt Cobain - Charles Cross

I'll get the controversial bit out of the way right from the start: I never rated Nirvana. In fact, I count them as one of the most over-rated music acts in recent memory, if not ever. If it wasn't for all the controversy and the untimely suicide of lead singer Kurt Cobain, I don't think they would still be remembered now. Perhaps the endurance of their music is proof of the old adage that it's better to burn out than to fade away. Whatever I may feel about his music, there was enough of interest in his life and death to make me curious enough when I came across Charles R. Cross' "Heavier Than Heaven". The other selling point, having just read a ...  Read the complete review

To this day controversy and rumour still surround Kurt Cobain's untimely death however this biography, named after an early tour of Europe, gives a very well researched view into the life of the rock star. The extent of the research done is clear when you see the pages of source notes and full index. You would be forgiven in thinking that this was an extremely long essay rather than a book! Cross' research consisted of four years of work, during which he conducted over 400 interviews with people connected to Cobain. These include ex-band mates, ex-girlfriends, relatives and of course, his widow, Courtney Love, some of whom also allowed their personal photos ...  Read the complete review