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Dave Grohl: 'I knew Kurt Cobain was destined to die early'

Ex-Nirvana drummer says he had a feeling about frontman

Dave Grohl has said that he always knew that his late Nirvana bandmate Kurt Cobain was destined not to live a full life.

He told Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 1 that he had prepared himself for an incident such as Cobain's suicide in 1994.

"There are some people that you meet in life that you just know that they are not going to live to be a 100 years old," he explained. "In some ways, you kind of prepare yourself emotionally for that to be a reality."

However, Grohl, now drumming with John Paul Jones and Josh Homme in Them Crooked Vultures, said that Cobain's death still came as a shock.

"It was a terrible surprise," he said. "It was probably the worst thing that has happened to me in my life. I remember the day after that I woke up and I was heartbroken that he was gone. I just felt like, 'OK, so I get to wake up today and have another day and he doesn't.'

"Usually it takes something like that for people to appreciate life as a gift and you have to take advantage of the time that you have. Sometimes you just can't save someone from themselves."
 

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Comments (9)

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onethirtyeight 

Nov 10, 2009

it's been 15 years...get over it. He was a coward who couldn't face up to the life he created. He is not a martyr or a role model. Surely this is no longer any kind of news?

semi_mental 

Nov 10, 2009

Hmm? Oh, sorry I must have fallen asleep reading this article. Next!......

LukeG123 

Nov 10, 2009

I wish he hadn't have died man, inspired me, I'm 16 and no music has done that for me really except him and Bob Dylan RIP man, and onethirtyeight, your an idiot and a moron, he is a legend in music whether you like it or not, show some respect, when Kurt died loads of people mourned and when you die no one will give a shit.

LukeG123 

Nov 10, 2009

RIP man, true great, 138 is a moron, you have never done anything in your life, so shut up. He was a coward?, stop judging people you don't know, my first comment wasn't allowed for some reason.

clockworkradio 

Nov 11, 2009

Its news because he is still relevant, he still inspires people and influences peoples lives/music today you idiot.

lewis1979 

Nov 11, 2009

Sigh... onethirtyeight, what a fucking moron you are. Nobody said Kurt was a role model or a martyr, just an amazing musician. Perhaps you should tell us what you think constitutes "news" then? The latest "gos" on your favourite skinny jeans, stripey t-shirt, white sneaker wearing, Wella Shockwaves hairstyle sporting little cretins perhaps? I, for one, would love to read about those again! Where do I sign up?! Oh, and semi_mental? I doubt you are. I bet you are ther real deal! Partying all night and such! I need a lie down...

GPez7 

Nov 11, 2009

Alright, there will always be "brilliant minds" like 138. This is the deal... Cobain will always be remembered as a god. He was able to capture the anguish that so many people felt. When he died, he took a huge chunk of rock and roll with him and we have missed him always. I don't think anyone was surprised when he left, but none of us were ready for him to go.He was not a coward. None of us "create" the life we live. I don't know if it is news, but if anyone can see the pain that his suicide caused and thinks twice, then maybe it is worth it. RIP Kurt. You are still missed.

onethirtyeight 

Nov 11, 2009

Why should I show the slightest bit of respect for a heroin addict who left his child fatherless? I'm not talking about his music, I am talking about him as a man. This "true great" you speak of.Suicide is the cowards way out, Luke. With the greatest respect to you, being 16 years old, I wouldn't expect you to have had much experience of heroin addicts and suicides. When you've had to deal with watching people destroy themselves with smack, or leave their family and friends heartbroken through suicide, then come back to me and tell me how much respect I should show him. It's all about choices. No one forced him to be in a band, no one forced him to take smack, and no one forced him to have a child. Suicide is the ultimate selfish act. I can't respect anyone who makes that choice. And now millions of misguided kids like yourself see this man as some sort of idol, where in reality (musical output aside) he is nothing to admire.Also, I can't resist pointing out that telling me not to judge people I don't know is pretty much the single most hypocritical statement anyone has ever made when attached to your comments.

Dancooper62 

Nov 12, 2009

when reading onethirtyeight's first comments i agreed with everyone else in thinking he was a prick. But having read his latest comment i can kind of see where they are coming from,first of all, well done for staying cool, explaining yourself and showing respect for the 16 year old, im tired of reading things like this were everyone has a go at one another and it gets esculated to the thread just being one big argument and insult page.and secondly - the issue. i agree that Cobain made some wrong choices in life and also agree suicide is never the thing to turn to and it is selfish. however there is still millions of people that respect him for what he has accomplished and thats fine. im not a big fan personally, and i do believe he may be over-hyped due to his death. If you look at the artists today that are exposed as drug users they are persecuted and rediculed for it. There are arguments on both sides here. Yes he should be respected for the musical success and contribution, however as a person he simply couldnt cope and there are plenty more people out there - such as the troops dying for a worthy cause - that better deserve our respect.

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Pic: PA Photos

Pic: PA Photos

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