I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not. - Kurt Cobain

The song American Pie was written to commemorate the death of  rock legend Buddy Holly, saying that that was the day the music died; death of some of our greatest musicians also left us grieving, that again as the song implied, their music had gone along with their graves.

Contrary to the song, I came to know about Kurt Cobain's existence, and his music on the day he died, and up to now, it still lives within me.  So I am writing this piece on his birthdate, as my respects to the great musician. 

That was amost 17 years ago when I saw my sister, glued to our uncle's television set, (as we do not have our own cable connection yet at that time), I was very much intrigued because it was one of the rare instances that I got to see my sister in front of the television for that long and it was on MTV, and I remember MTV News was on at that time.  I saw a hint of grief in her.  I joined her and asked what happened.

"Kurt Cobain died."

I had no idea who he was at that time, and I felt ashamed for it, as I watch (on MTV) people grieving at the loss of  one of music's greatest icons.  And on that day, I attentively watched MTV as they paid tribute to him, playing countless music videos from Nirvana, live sets, documentaries, interviews, and even the whole Unplugged in New York Sessions.  Before we turned off the tv that time, MTV played thier "immortal", anthem-ic song (if there was such a term), "Smells Like Teen Spirit";as for me, another face/phase of rock music unfolded and awakened my senses.

Thank you, to the Grand-daddy of Grunge Rock, who should have been 34 today, your music lives on.