[Closed] was nirvana really that great?

they did awesome covers as well... besides some good meat puppets stuff I really like this one (Even though I adore the meat puppets for their unique style back then)...

Originally posted by nibbana

Originally posted by delete461
He had the gift of Mozart coupled with the attitude of Sid Vicious.

Cobains gifts as songwriter are clear, lyrically and melodically. His guitar playing was competent.

Mozart however was undeniably a prodigy, he was composing from age 5 and was able to write the whole of Miserere out from memory on hearing it only once as a 12/13 year old.

I don't think the two are comparable

Mozarts childhood and Cobains childhood are worlds apart, Cobain hardly laid eyes on a musical instrument until he was 13 or 14. He certainly couldnt stroll into the family room at the age of four and start playing on the grand piano.

Originally posted by delete461
Mozarts childhood and Cobains childhood are worlds apart, Cobain hardly laid eyes on a musical instrument until he was 13 or 14. He certainly couldnt stroll into the family room at the age of four and start playing on the grand piano.

I doubt you'd find too many people born 200 years apart whose childhoods weren't "worlds apart". We can agree though that Cobain didn't have some of the priveleges that Mozart did. I just think people make these comparisons a little lightly and hypothetically - you know hypothetically any of us given Mozarts upbringing could have been damn good musicians, but all of the nurturing in the world couldn't make a Mozart out of someone without a natural ability and curiosity for Music.

If you have a flick through Cobain Unseen - you see a different picture to the one you paint.

Some quotes:
"The drum became Kurt's first foray into music and his first demonstration of any kind of creative gift. Even as a baby, he beat on it like a junior Ringo Starr. Neighbors recalled him pounding on the drum in the yard as soon as he could walk, looking like the leader of a marching band. A few years later, he got a real drum set for Christmas and also whaled away on that. Though his early attempts at playing the drum did not strike anyone as showing musical virtuosity, he did have a very strong interest in making music. Several of Kurt's aunts and uncles were musicians, and he grew up in a world where music was part of the family landscape."

In his own words - on his aunt Mari
"She gave me an elecric Hawaiian guitar and amplifier when I was like eight years old."

OK so I can accept that Kurt didn't have the same life as Mozart, not the same push from his parents and many other distractions (notably his art, which he was much more interested in for a long time by all accounts). You must accept though, that it's not as though music was shut out of his life, it sounds like he had a fairly high exposure to music as a child.

Talented, yes. Creative, undoubtedly. Prodigious or prolific enough in music to be compared with Mozart, not a chance.

I got to agree with Nibbana personaly. Imo Nirvana or Curt Cobain are neither very special. And certainly should not be compared to Mozart imo. In 200 years probably no one will remember or know Nirvana.. To this day almost everyone has heard the name Mozart and have some vague idea of who he was.

Also the person who brought up that he wasn't putting in alot of effort.. that's the dumbest excuse i've heard.. I believe everyone can do almost anything if they just put in enough effort (Medical dissabilities and things that require talent aside like music). I could also become a great drummer if i had been drumming since i was young.. But that's no excuse for me not being able to drum now and being a crappy drummer.. No.. i simply didn't put in the effort.. (or could get a drum set for that fact)

check out the movie 'about a son', quite an insight into his life. might possibly
change your view of him.

curt was a talented (but deeply troubled) guy, with a passion for rock music.
nirvana had a massive fan base and sold a lot of albums. they have been a
huge influence on many of todays artists and the rock music we listen to today.

comparing him with mozart is like comparing an apple with a stinging nettle.

hope that didnt sound too serious, just woke up ♠_confused:

I didnt mean to imply that Cobain was AS gifted as Mozart or could have been as great. Just that he was gifted in the same kind of way, that he could pick up an instrument and pull melodies out of thin air without sitting down for hours trying to write it.

stumbled on an old thread, think bother to post.

IMO nirvana's or Kurt's greatness did not come from talent, how gifted he was or was not, how much they drank or smoke. Most important part was that they discovered or did what was needed at that time. A new generation was coming, they needed some new music, some "new" ideas etc, and here you are, ladies and gents - nirvana! And a number of other similar bands, some of them were more successful, some less. Cobain's death ofc helped a lot to keep the whole fan hype going, and, as someone already pointed out, knowing that there will be no more of their music made existing more special and appealing.
Also lets consider their audience. Kids 14 - 20 years of age, maybe slightly more, slightly less - they have no idea whats going on, don't want to take existing paths, thinking very good of themselves, needing a leader - and here he is, partying, not giving a sh*t, cool music, here we go! And now, years later, nirvana reminds us of those nice times, and we like to remember those nice times. Its the same as Elvis still appeals to some, who grew to his tunes. I guess what I'm trying to say here that emotional value becomes much greater and more important as "real" value, and to someone who kissed his first girl while listening to them they will always remain very special.

Originally posted by Jehudas
they did awesome covers as well... besides some good meat puppets stuff I really like this one (Even though I adore the meat puppets for their unique style back then)...

This is one of the most painful things I have ever heard. It's just bad.

lol at putting Mozart and Kobain in the same sentence , unless it's meant in irony.