Another Kurt Cobain Timeline

Another Kurt Cobain Timeline by Cuphead2006. If you are a true Nirvana and Layne Staley fan, you will understand some of these demo songs, unreleased songs, and b-side songs, but if you're new here you would probably think that I made up a few of these songs you never heard of (inspired by YouTubers Jonejo_ and If Kurt Cobain Lived. Also, I wasn't too happy with my Cobain Lives series since I knew he would've wanted to make a single acoustic album or two and then continue making his famous grunge material. I'm making a category where I can post my own celeb what ifs with my own opinions on what they would've done today. This project is less like a Wikipedia article and more like a timeline, which is what I'm aiming for for a few of my articles in the near future)

Timeline

  • April 5th, 1994: Kurt's worldwide fame seems meaningless to him with health issues, a failed tour, turning down a Lollapalooza performance, and an escape from rehab not too long before after overdosing in Rome. Cobain experiences feelings of deep depression and despair. Because of this, Kurt attempts suicide by shooting himself, but the gun slips out of his hands and jerks towards his chest, the bullet strikes his heart, nearly killing him. He miraculously survives, although he's left with grievous injuries. He is found by paramedics sometime later, still alive but slowly dying of blood loss. Kurt, rushed to University of Washington Medical Center to treat his injuries, somehow remains in a semi-conscious state after nearly bleeding to death. Cobain now requires emergency surgery to stay alive after taking a shotgun shot to the heart, something doctors didn't think Cobain could survive.
  • April 5th - May 4th, 1994: Kurt undergoes over 30 hours of emergency surgery on the heart and other ruptured veins and nearby organs. He is placed in a medically induced coma for four weeks, fighting for his life on life support. Rumors spread that Courtney Love had left him around this time for a man younger than her after a few public sightings in downtown Seattle, taking Frances with her. These rumors are unfortunately true.
  • May 4th, 1994: Kurt Cobain reawakens after being in a four week coma, still recovering from his injuries and in pain as seen and heard in two interviews conducted with Kurt around this time. This version of Cobain is much worse, acting more depressed than usual and visibly suffering the effects of his injuries, causing a therapist, Gregory Jackson, to visit Kurt at the hospital once every weekend. Cobain learns about Frances being taken by Courtney around this time and is angered and disappointed by the news. Gregory gets Cobain into physical therapy as well, which helps him learn how to walk again and be able to do certain activities again to improve his life after his gun had misfired. Cobain writes letters to drummer Dave Grohl, informing him that he's doing okay-ish and that he can take Cobain's spot as the lead vocalist. In response to the letters, Dave Grohl would compile some of his Pocketwatch demo songs and put them onto a Nirvana compilation album called Foo Fighters that would come out in October of 1994. During Kurt's therapy, Dave temporarily assumes the lead singing role for Nirvana, performing some live shows where Dave sings some of his Pocketwatch songs.
  • May 15th, 1994: Nirvana, led by Dave Grohl, releases "You Know You're Right", along with other hit songs from the group on a self-titled compilation album.
  • June 12th, 1994:
    • Kurt Cobain is released from the hospital and is interviewed, expressing his intention to consider rehab and make positive changes in his life. Kurt plans to continue making music, predicts that he could possibly tour again with Nirvana in 1996 or 1997, attempt rehab and remain sober for as long as he can, and reconnect with family and friends.
    • Courtney Love dates a 19-year-old Russian man from Port Hadlock named Pavel Sukov, and they work on a controversial solo duet album featuring Hole on the instrumental track, simply titled Elton John, set to be released in August 1994 under record label Epic. Cobain plans legal action against Courtney Love and her boyfriend around this time, fighting for custody of Frances while busy with his band.
    • This relationship between Pavel and Courtney is a strange and awkward one to say the least (their relationship is similar to John Lennon and Yoko Ono to me, honestly LMAO, just that Pavel is Russian and Courtney is American), controversial because of the age gap between the two and a few controversial statements from the couple during their two months together. This solo album is infamous for being recorded while Pavel and Courtney are under the influence of marijuana and heroin, also for the odd sounding tracks (mainly audio collages and noise rock) and has a sort of cheap and public access TV sound complete with broken English from Pavel Sukov. She has been avoiding Kurt for a while after leaving him, almost never speaking of him.
    • Conspiracy theories circulate about Kurt Cobain's sincerity in his interview, with some speculating he might return to drugs based on his behavior in the past. Many seem to think he said these things to get off the medication he was prescribed to stay away from heroin and other drugs (based on his escape from rehab a few months earlier).
    • Despite the doubts, many Nirvana fans eagerly anticipate Kurt's return to performing and recording, hoping for a fourth Nirvana album that might resemble their MTV Unplugged performance.
  • July 1994: Kurt Cobain begins his journey towards sobriety and rehabilitation. He enters a well-regarded rehab facility, determined to overcome his addiction and regain control of his life. During his time in rehab, he reconnects with his family and friends, mending relationships that had been strained by his struggles with substance abuse.
  • August 16th, 1994: While Kurt is in rehab, Dave Grohl and the rest of Nirvana perform their first live show with Kurt Cobain back as the lead vocalist at Climate Pledge Arena, singing material from the upcoming compilation album Foo Fighters and some unreleased demos from Dave, those three unreleased demos being "Alone + Easy Target", "Exhausted", and "Wattershed". Cobain and crew perform some hits from their third studio album In Utero and even perform a new version of "Nobody Knows I'm New Wave" with a few new lyrics. The band receives mixed reviews from fans and critics due to ongoing conspiracy theories that Kurt Cobain would return to drugs and that he was seen backstage already intoxicated on something, but their dedication to keeping the music alive is commendable. They play a mix of Nirvana's classics and some of Dave's own songs before his time with Nirvana at Climate Pledge Arena.
  • August 11th, 1994: Courtney Love's controversial solo duet album with Pavel Sukov, titled Elton John, is released. Despite the bizarre and experimental nature of the album, it garners some attention from both critics and fans, albeit for all the wrong reasons. Courtney's reputation takes a hit due to the controversial statements made during this period. Courtney proceeds to ignore her fans and the critics.
  • October 8th, 1994: Nirvana fans are treated to the release of the Foo Fighters compilation album, featuring Dave Grohl's songs from his solo project. The album receives positive feedback and adds to Dave's growing reputation as a musician. Around this time, Nirvana leaves Sub Pop for Capital Records, a record label Nirvana would continue to stick with as their final decision.
  • November 1994: Kurt Cobain stays true to his word and successfully completes his rehab program after four months and is determined to stay clean (Cobain becoming partially sober debunks the theory of him going back to drugs. He still smokes and drinks, but cuts down on the alcohol consumption), but still plans on sticking to the original Nirvana format and experimenting with different rock genres. He begins working on new music at Robert Lang Studios with Nirvana and starts writing a song that reflects on his journey towards recovery called "Clean". Fans eagerly anticipate the possibility of a fourth Nirvana album, hoping to hear an acoustic MTV Unplugged styled album. This album allegedly features an acoustic cover of the Nirvana demo "Marigold". Cobain is still the same man he was before, but with more freedom despite the fact that he will always struggle with depression.
  • January 1995: Nirvana, with Kurt Cobain back at the helm as the lead vocalist, begins recording their fourth studio album, Do Re Mi. The music reflects Kurt's newfound clarity and sense of purpose. The band's sound evolves, incorporating elements of acoustic and alternative rock, inspired by their MTV Unplugged performance. This project features Michael Stipe as the producer of the album, even providing the backing vocals for a few of the songs on the album.
  • April 13th, 1995: Nirvana's fourth album, Do Re Mi, is released to critical acclaim. The track "Healed" addresses Kurt's struggles with addiction and his journey towards sobriety, resonating deeply with fans who have followed his tumultuous life. The album, as many predicted, is a stripped down MTV Unplugged-esque acoustic album.
  • August 20th - December 28th, 1995: Nirvana embarks on a long and tiring world tour to promote Do Re Mi with Michael Stipe. The tour is a massive success, with fans supporting Kurt's recovery journey and the band's new music. The tour features Nirvana performing in multiple venues with acoustic guitars and singing some material from their other three albums with electric guitars as well, including an electric version of their cover of "Lake of Fire" in Copenhagen.
  • January 8th, 1996: Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love officially divorce in court back in Washington after a few years of being apart, and they both focus on their respective careers and personal lives. Kurt remains dedicated to his music and upcoming art gallery, while Courtney continues her controversial path in the music industry with her boyfriend, causing the breakup of Hole later that same month. Along with the divorce, Kurt takes custody of Frances Bean after a few long years of trying to get her back in his arms again. Cobain, who has a better mental state now that he's taking his band in a new creative direction and is off of drugs (again, he still smokes, but he drinks less alcohol. In other words he is not completely sober just to stay accurate with this timeline, but he's leading a better life), promises Frances a better life away from Courtney and Pavel hopefully forever.
  • February 1996: With the divorce finalized, Kurt Cobain focuses even more on his music and art. He starts working on a solo project that combines his love for both music and visual arts in a psychedelic style. This project involves creating original artwork and music that complements each other, with the aim of hosting a unique art exhibition that showcases his talents in both fields.
  • April 4th, 1996: Dave Grohl, having gained significant experience as the lead vocalist of Nirvana during Kurt's absence, decides to launch his own side solo project, the Foo Fighters (based on the 1994 compilation album of the same name from Nirvana), as a one-man project. The group's debut album, Alive & Well, is released to critical acclaim, solidifying Dave's status as a respected musician in his own right. The album features complete versions of "Alone + Easy Target", "Exhausted", and "Wattershed".
  • May 11th-June 20th, 1996: Kurt's art exhibition at his home, titled "The Window Pain Exhibit," opens in Seattle to critical acclaim. The exhibition features a collection of his paintings, sculptures, and other visual art pieces, accompanied by a soundtrack of new and instrumental music he composed specifically for the event with some help from his daughter. Fans and art enthusiasts alike are impressed by Kurt's artistic versatility. The exhibit concludes on June 20th of that year and is met with praise.
  • July 3rd, 1996: Nirvana opens for Alice in Chains at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, performing two songs: Smells Like Teen Spirit and Lake of Fire. This would be Alice in Chains' last show before going on indefinite hiatus due to lead vocalist Layne Staley's drug abuse problems.
  • July 1996: Kurt Cobain begins working on the concept for Nirvana's fifth studio album, titled Token Eastern. This album marks a return to the band's grunge sound after the release of Do Re Mi, featuring the heavier and more metal sounding elements of their early work (from the Fecal Matter and Bleach demo era, albeit with most songs being re-recorded). It's a highly anticipated project that fans have been eagerly awaiting, similar to their last album. Also, with the rising popularity of the internet, Nirvana decides to post updates on projects and other things on their website for everyone to see. Cobain begins work on a home studio for him, other musicians on occasions to jam out and record, and his band around this time. This recording studio is called "The Playroom" (but I'll just keep calling it Cobain's home studio).
  • August 1996: Nirvana begins recording sessions for their fifth studio album, Token Eastern, at Cobain's under-constructed home studio in the basement of his house (I could imagine that part of the basement having soundproof walls to prevent complaints of loud noises in the area). The album explores the earlier, heavier, and more grunge-oriented sound of Nirvana, reminiscent of their early days. Kurt, now fully immersed in his artistic pursuits and personal growth, pours his heart into the songwriting process. The band's chemistry is palpable, and fans are excited to hear the new material. The album is set to feature re-recorded versions of the songs "Nobody Knows I'm New Wave", "D-7", "Sound of Dentage", "Blathers Log", "Creation", "Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip" (known under the new title "Five Months Late (Haven't Had Sex For a Week)"), and a version of "Underground Celebritism" with a new instrumental. The album also features songs like "Sappy" and "If You Must."
  • March 1997: Nirvana completes recording Token Eastern, and the album enters the post-production phase. The band collaborates with a renowned producer to ensure the album's sound meets their creative vision.
  • July 4th, 1997: Token Eastern is released to eager fans worldwide. The album receives some critical acclaim for its return to the band's grunge roots, with tracks that harken back to the raw energy of their early work. It mostly receives negative reviews from critics for the song "Nobody Knows I'm New Wave" and a few other songs for their lyrics. Songs like "Courtney Will Take Us Over Soon Enough", "Token Eastern Song", “Sappy”, "Mexican Seafood", and "Grandpa's Whiskey" (a song similar to "Stupid Mop" by Pearl Jam, meaning that it is basically the "Revolution 9" of this Nirvana album, and is an instant classic for being a creepy sound collage) become instant classics, and the album is celebrated as a testament to Nirvana's enduring influence on the grunge genre. Songs like Sound of Dentage and Blathers Log feature Krist Novoselic on lead vocals. Courtney Love threatens to sue Nirvana, but nothing comes of this whatsoever as she and her boyfriend unexpectedly move to Germany due to the media backlash she and her boyfriend had been receiving from Kurt Cobain and news sources. Courtney and Pavel, who hadn't released anything since the failed Elton John solo album, remain quiet and are hardly seen going out in public, with many starting to believe that they are going to retire from public life after a few years of backlash, controversy, and the breakup of Hole in 1996. Kurt fears for the safety of Frances Bean, who he had recently regained custody of. He is worried that Courtney and Pavel will reappear again sometime soon.
  • July - September 1997: Nirvana opens an audition for a new drummer after Dave Grohl announces that he would focus more on his group the Foo Fighters, now a band consisting of Pat Smear, Josh Freese, and Franz Stahl (this also comes after months of decision making, leading to guest drummers during concerts). Former Alanis Morissette drummer and part-time Blur (because the Foo Fighters starts differently and so on) drummer Taylor Hawkins passes the audition in September of 1997, becoming the band's new drummer, performing live with them a number of times. Nirvana getting a permanent drummer comes after having guests drummers for live performances and some recording sessions for their fifth album.
  • December 4th, 1997: Kurt Cobain and Nirvana take a well-deserved hiatus after the mixed ball that was the Token Eastern album, the fear of Courtney striking once again, a grand tour (bigger compared to Nirvana's other tours), and for Cobain to spend more time with Frances and family. The grunge movement is still thriving in this world in the later half of the 1990s and pushing forward with Kurt Cobain still alive and with other grunge albums becoming popular, meaning that post-grunge is nonexistent. Kurt uses this time to further explore his artistic endeavors and begins brainstorming ideas for a follow-up art exhibition in the near future. Cobain also posts his plans for some solo work with Taylor Hawkins on drums on the Nirvana website, some material in similar style to In Utero and the Alice in Chains EP Jar of Flies, even taking some inspiration from them. Cobain and Hawkins decide to record this album in the near future under the record label Interscope. Cobain states in an interview that this new solo album would not come out until around 2000 or 2001, around or after the new millennium as it's already in the concept stages and with Kurt focusing on family and friends, now that he's back home and on hiatus. Cobain continues to take care of Frances Bean the best way he can while on hiatus. A few Nirvana compilation albums, mainly demos and outtakes, are set to release sometime in January of 1998 under the name Nirvana: The Studio Outtakes.
  • January 11th-20th, 1998: Nirvana fans are treated to another compilation album: Nirvana: The Outtakes. This album features rare demos, outtakes, and behind-the-scenes recordings, giving fans a deeper look into the band's creative process. An interview with Kurt Cobain reveals that he would like to settle down and focus more on his art career, publishing career, and family and retire Nirvana, hence why he decided to go on hiatus. He wants to spend more time around his daughter and less time tirelessly touring and taking his daughter with him. Cobain would rather raise his daughter back in Washington as opposed to traveling constantly and never having enough time to do the things that he wants to do. In another interview around this time on the Howard Stern Show (his first appearance on the radio show), Cobain expresses his anger towards Courtney Love, threatening to place her and her boyfriend in prison if they attempt another custody battle or terrorize Kurt Cobain's life again. He reveals that a minor reason for going on hiatus was to shield his daughter away from those junkies for the time being, laying low as a result.
  • April 18th, 1998: Kurt Cobain performs alongside the Foo Fighters at Lake Tahoe, singing some songs from their recent Nirvana album Token Eastern and some Foo Fighters songs.
  • May 1998: Kurt Cobain starts to write a book on his life, titled Montage of Heck. Besides sculpture making, drawing, and painting, Cobain decides to make a career off writing and selling his diary entries to be viewed by the public.
  • June 1998: Kurt Cobain's solo project with Taylor Hawkins begins recording sessions for their album at Cobain's home studio. The two musicians meet at the studio and the album takes shape as a blend of grunge and alternative rock, featuring Kurt's distinctive songwriting style. Cobain continues to explore his artistic expression both visually and musically, drawing inspiration from his experiences and personal growth. Kurt tries to get a response from former Alice in Chains member Layne Staley via some voicemails to record some material for this Jar of Flies, In Utero inspired album. Layne surprisingly shows up to record two songs, "Shatter" and "The Things You Do", eventually getting into an argument with Kurt after recording a few takes, causing Layne to leave the home studio. Kurt would never see Layne Staley again after that. He would try to contact Layne for a few months following the unexpected argument with Kurt, but to no avail. He would ultimately stop contacting Layne completely.
  • July 13th, 1998: The Foo Fighters' second studio album The Colour and the Shape is released and features Kurt Cobain singing alongside Dave Grohl in a duet for a few of the tracks, including "Everlong".
  • September 18th, 1998: News leaks onto the internet, revealing that Pavel Sukov and Courtney Love have secretly married in a private ceremony in Germany. The age gap and the controversial nature of their relationship continue to fuel media speculation and criticism. Despite their attempts to allegedly stay out of the public eye, their union becomes a topic of heated debate among fans and the media and is covered by news sources with new photos that are also leaked of the couple being shown.
  • October 1998: In a surprising turn of events, Kurt Cobain's book, Montage of Heck, becomes an instant bestseller upon its release. The intimate and raw diary entries offer a glimpse into Cobain's inner thoughts and struggles, resonating with fans and readers worldwide. The book also includes some of Cobain's artwork, further showcasing his talents beyond music. Frances starts to engage in her father's painting, drawing, and even helping sell these illustrations of his.
  • December 1998:
    • Kurt Cobain's solo project with Taylor Hawkins completes recording the album, tentatively titled Solitude. The album features a mix of emotionally charged and introspective songs, showcasing Cobain's evolution as a songwriter and musician. The release date is set for early 2000 (the new millennium), adding to the anticipation of Nirvana fans.
    • Kurt Cobain is invited to perform with Sunny Day Real Estate in Orlando after reunion concerts are announced. He accepts the offer.
    • Cobain and Sunny Day Real Estate perform together before the start of the new year on December 27th, with Cobain notably performing their hit song "Seven."
  • January 1999: Kurt Cobain begins selling some of his diary entries for thousands, along with copies of his paintings and drawings.
  • March 1999: Pavel Sukov and Courtney Love remain married despite the ongoing controversy surrounding their relationship. They maintain a low profile, attempting to shield themselves from the relentless media scrutiny. Rumors continue to circulate about their unconventional marriage, but the couple remains tight-lipped about their personal lives.
  • May 1999: Kurt Cobain announces plans for a new art exhibition, titled "Visions of the Underground," scheduled for later in the year. The exhibition will showcase a combination of his visual art, including paintings and sculptures, alongside demos from his first solo album, Solitude, as a sneak preview for what is to come.
  • September 8th, 1999: Kurt Cobain's art exhibition (this time held in an art gallery instead of a small house), "Visions of the Underground", opens to the public in Seattle. The exhibit is a fusion of visual and musical art, providing visitors with a unique multisensory experience. Cobain's journey from the depths of despair to artistic reawakening is on full display, leaving attendees inspired and moved by his creative evolution. The demos for Solitude (which are nearly completed) are described as something a little similar to Korn, but grungier and on the alternative rock spectrum, possibly a protest against nu metal and rap metal. One of the songs played at the exhibition is the 1991 Nirvana demo "Horrified" (better known as "Unknown #2"), which is confirmed to be on the album as an official track. Along with Horrified is another experimental track from the early years of Nirvana, titled "Come on Death" (or "Unknown #6").
  • November 23rd, 1999: Pavel Sukov and Courtney Love surprise the world by announcing their decision to adopt a child from Germany. This unexpected move sparks a new wave of speculation and media attention, as the couple are infamous for their drug problems and would be declared unfit to raise a child again. The couple remains enigmatic, leaving the public to wonder about their motives and intentions. Drugs have become a serious problem for the couple for the past five years, being spotted in public getting into fights with civilians on the streets and overdosing a few times. Courtney Love is more despised than ever by former fans and multiple media sources.
  • December 31st, 1999: As the millennium approaches, Nirvana fans anticipate what the band and Kurt Cobain will bring to the world in the new century. Kurt's journey from darkness to creative rebirth continues to inspire and captivate audiences, promising an exciting future for both his music and his art. Nirvana reunites for a special one-night-only performance in Times Square for New Year's Rockin 'Eve to sing some tracks from their album Nevermind and the songs "Creation", "D-7", and "Sappy". The performance becomes an unforgettable night for fans as the band makes their first public appearance since a year prior in 1998. Despite Nirvana having gone on hiatus a year prior, the members still talk to each other occasionally and work on their own projects, both musical and activities besides music with Krist Novoselic drifting towards US politics and thinking about ditching music in the future, creating music with his side project Sweet 75.
  • January 1st, 2000: The new millennium marks a fresh start for Kurt Cobain and Nirvana. The band is energized by their successful New Year's Eve performance and the positive reception from fans. Kurt Cobain's solo album, Solitude, is scheduled for release in the coming months, and anticipation for the album is at an all-time high.
  • March 7th, 2000: Solitude, Kurt Cobain's first solo album, is officially released. The album is a fusion of grunge and experimental rock, showcasing Cobain's distinctive songwriting and emotional depth. It receives critical acclaim and becomes a commercial success, solidifying Kurt's status as a musician and artist beyond Nirvana. The album includes tracks like "Shatter," "Horrified," "She Only Lies," "The Things You Do," (a track featuring Layne and Taylor singing together and isn't an unfinished Aftervibes song in this timeline) and "Soaked in Bleach," each with its unique sound and lyrical depth. The later 1990s and 2000s seem to be good and bad times for Cobain (who has to hear about Pavel and Courtney’s issues and hang on tight to his daughter because of that) and Nirvana.
  • July 2000: Pavel Sukov and Courtney Love's tumultuous relationship continues to make headlines throughout the month. Their erratic behavior and ongoing struggles with substance abuse attract media attention and public scrutiny. Their adopted child Jackie's welfare remains a point of concern among child protective services and the media.
  • October 2000: Kurt Cobain's art and music continue to thrive. He announces plans for another art exhibition in 2001, promising even more innovative and thought-provoking pieces. Meanwhile, he begins writing new songs and sketches for what could potentially be his second solo album.
  • December 2000: The year 2000 comes to a close, and fans eagerly anticipate what the new year will bring for Kurt Cobain and Nirvana. The band's successful reunion and Kurt's solo endeavors mark a hopeful beginning for the new century, leaving fans excited about the future of their music and art.
  • March 2001: Kurt Cobain's second art exhibition, titled "Metamorphosis," opens to the public in Seattle. This exhibition showcases his evolving style as both a visual artist and musician. Attendees are treated to a preview of his upcoming second solo album, sparking anticipation and excitement among fans.
  • June 2001: Pavel Sukov and Courtney Love's personal lives continue to spiral out of control, leading to legal troubles and rehab stints. The media's fascination with their tumultuous relationship shows no signs of abating, while their adopted child remains caught in the middle of their ongoing battles.
  • July 14th - July 17th, 2001: Pavel Sukov, deeply affected by the loss of Courtney Love from a drug overdose, disappears from the public eye completely. He resurfaces later under an assumed identity and begins working on music with a completely different sound, far removed from the controversial solo duet album he recorded with Courtney, but still struggling mentally and dealing with drug abuse. Jackie, now eight years old, is taken away from his father a few days later by child protective services.
  • September 2001: Kurt Cobain is forced to delay the release of his second solo album, titled Rebirth, due to the events that happened on September 11th. The album explores new musical directions, blending elements of alternative rock and acoustic folk. Tracks like "Sulk," "Fractured Dreams," and "Wandering" resonate deeply with fans and critics alike, solidifying Kurt's reputation as a versatile and innovative artist.
  • October 3rd, 2001: Nirvana fans are treated to a surprise announcement of a limited series of reunion concerts scheduled for 2002, celebrating the band's legacy and the enduring impact of their music. The news generates tremendous excitement among fans, who eagerly anticipate the chance to see the band live once again.
  • Pavel Sukov's new music project, operating under the alias "Nikolai Malkovich" emerges with a unique and experimental sound. The music is a departure from his earlier work with Courtney Love, focusing on ambient and electronic elements, showcasing Pavel's ability to reinvent himself creatively. His identity is hidden, and during live performances, has his songs performed by another unknown musician instead of Pavel himself to keep his identity more of a mystery. Because of Pavel assuming a new identity without any word about changing his music style, many believe that he committed suicide. Conspiracy theories aside, little is known about his personal life outside of the music scene under his new identity.
  • December 12th - December 27th, 2001: As the year draws to a close, Kurt Cobain's art and music continue to captivate audiences worldwide with the release of his second studio album, Rebirth, after being delayed in September. His creative journey from the depths of despair to artistic rebirth serves as an enduring source of inspiration, leaving fans hopeful about the future of both his solo career and the upcoming Nirvana reunion concerts in 2002. Cobain confirms on the Nirvana website that a sixth album could be possible, as he had been planning it for quite a while and wants it to be one of the last Nirvana projects before focusing on his artistic endeavors.
  • January 1st - 13th, 2002: The new year marks a period of anticipation for both Kurt Cobain and Nirvana fans. Kurt begins planning for a new Nirvana album, aiming to release it after the upcoming reunion concerts. The band members are excited to get back into the studio together.
  • February 1st, 2002: Pavel Sukov, still operating under the alias Nikolai Malkovich, releases a critically despised ambient electronic and noise rock album titled Serpent Eyes. Despite his new identity, some people are already able to tell that Nikolai Malkovich is Pavel, but word on this isn't confirmed. Pavel's reputation as a musician has been ruined quickly, and he does not want his cover blown by media sources, so he makes claims on the internet to further keep his identity hidden but to no avail as this gimmick of his starts coming apart quickly.
  • April 2nd, 2002: Nirvana officially announces their reunion concerts, which are set to take place in iconic venues across the United States throughout the summer. Fans rush to secure tickets, eager to witness the band's return to the stage.
  • June 14th, 2002: The highly anticipated Nirvana reunion concerts kick off, starting with a performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City featuring Metallica. The band's energy and chemistry on stage are palpable, and they perform a mix of classic hits and Metallica material. Fans and critics alike praise the shows as a testament to Nirvana's enduring legacy.
  • August 26th, 2002: Pavel Sukov retires from the public completely once again after rumors had begun to spread about his identity, only performing four live shows prior to his permanent retirement. Pavel's mental health starts to deteriorate quickly.
  • October 2002: Kurt Cobain, inspired by the success of the Nirvana reunion concerts, decides to move forward with plans for a sixth Nirvana album after four years, ready to conclude the career of Nirvana after concerts earlier in the year. The band members are eager to collaborate and begin writing and recording new material, marking a new chapter in their musical journey.
  • February 7th, 2003: Nirvana starts recording sessions for their highly anticipated sixth studio album back at Cobain's home studio. The band's chemistry is as strong as ever, and they explore new sonic territories while staying true to their grunge roots for the last time.
  • July 17th, 2003: Nirvana releases their sixth and final album, Boddah. The album features a mix of heavy, grunge-inspired tracks and acoustic songs, reminiscent of their fourth album Do Re Mi. It becomes an instant hit among fans and critics, with standout tracks like "Letters to Frances," "Resonance," and "The Pretender" (which comes out several years earlier here, but sounds almost the same) garnering praise. The album explores themes of personal growth, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the band. It's a fitting conclusion to Nirvana's remarkable journey. Kurt Cobain, feeling a sense of closure with Nirvana's final album, shifts his focus back to his solo career and life as a single father.
  • October 30th 2003: Pavel Sukov's mental health continues to deteriorate, leading to his withdrawal from the public eye entirely. The mystery surrounding his true identity and his abrupt exit from the music scene become the subject of speculation and intrigue among fans and the media. It has been reported that Pavel is preparing his own suicide.
  • June 2004: Kurt Cobain announces his retirement from the music industry, citing a desire to focus on his visual art and other creative pursuits. He expresses gratitude to his fans for their support throughout his career and looks forward to the next chapter of his life.
  • October 2004: Pavel Sukov's whereabouts remain unknown, with rumors circulating about his well-being. Despite his troubled past, there is a growing concern among fans and the media about his welfare and the impact of fame on his life.
  • December 2004: Kurt Cobain holds an art exhibition, titled "Infinite Canvas," showcasing a diverse range of his visual art creations. The exhibition is a reflection of his artistic journey and personal growth over the years.
  • April 5th, 2005: On the 11th anniversary of his survival, Kurt Cobain pens an open letter to his fans, expressing his gratitude for their unwavering support and sharing his reflections on his life's journey. He reaffirms his commitment to his art and the pursuit of creativity in various forms.
  • July 15th, 2005: Pavel Sukov's story becomes a subject of documentaries and investigations as fans and the media continue to search for clues about his whereabouts. The mystery surrounding his disappearance adds to his enigmatic legacy. Eventually, Pavel, aged 30, is found by German police dead at his home, hung from the ceiling with a suicide note. Near the end of this note, Pavel states that he wishes that he still had custody of Frances to make his life whole again.
  • 2005 and beyond: Kurt Cobain quietly enjoys his retirement, focusing on his art and personal life. He remains a beloved figure in the world of music and art, with his impact on both realms enduring over the years. In conclusion, Cobain occasionally does unofficial reunions with Nirvana despite the fact that he is retired from music, often collaborating with Dave Grohl when a new project is in the works in the 2010s and 2020s, but as a producer. Focusing more on his artistic career and his recent author career become known as one of the best periods in the musician's life (even being talked about in documentaries on Cobain or Nirvana), saving him from another breaking point as he is able to express himself. After publishing Montage of Heck, Cobain has published several other books over the past few decades and has been signing the autographs of fans ever since then. Along with this, he is still a part-time producer and still allows musicians to record in his home studio. This home studio of his even becomes an official record label by 2020, but for smaller artists and located elsewhere in Seattle instead of Cobain's house basement.


Check out my playlist based on this timeline (I hope YouTube doesn't take down the videos I uploaded, knowing that the current president of YouTube and whatnot has an issue with certain songs being used in videos. I credited the people who made the fan covers of these Nirvana songs in the comments of my uploads on this playlist):

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAX6huMczEXI1oLElqxdD3-KBIiEh_8y&si=fQC-TjWRRITM4c3g

Bonuses

  • October 20th, 2001: Kurt Cobain does an acoustic, Unplugged styled performance at The Concert For New York, singing "Jesus Doesn't Want Me For a Sunbeam" in tribute to those who died on September 11th.
  • April 8th, 2002: Kurt Cobain performs some acoustic renditions of Alice in Chains' most well known songs at a small venue in Seattle in Layne Staley's memory.
  • November 17th, 2006: The movie Casino Royale releases theatrically, featuring the Layne Staley-Taylor Hawkins song, "The Things You Do", as the opening theme, further popularizing the Solitude track, which was Layne's last vocal performance before his passing from a drug overdose in 2002.
  • July 3rd, 2007: The Transformers movie comes out and also features some material from Solitude, including "Soaked In Bleach", "The Things You Do" (which was featured a year prior in Casino Royale and made somewhat of a gem of the 2000s), and You Can't Change Me, songs that are considered some of Cobain's best solo songs around this time. I know that Kurt Cobain wouldn't have liked the idea of his songs being used in movies, but since he is alive his works could possibly be used in his films, but he would allow his songs to featured in movies a few times on occasions since he doesn't want to be seen as just a cultural icon and nothing but. His songs would be used in films like Pacific Rim, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Into the Wild, The Batman (yes, Something In the Way is still used in my timeline), and even some of the recent two Shrek films (Shrek 3 and Shrek Forever After, mainly using stuff from Nevermind as it's a family movie series and younger people may be familiar with songs like Smells Like Teen Spirit or In Bloom).
  • February - July 2008: Kurt Cobain produces his first album with an actual band, this being the Foo Fighters on their fifth studio album Long Road to Ruin. Cobain would go on to produce a few more Foo Fighters albums throughout the years (but I won't really list any of that stuff on here).
  • September 28th, 2008: The biographical musical drama film Something In the Way (directed by Bryan Singer, who would later go on to direct Bohemian Rhapsody) is released to mixed reviews from critics, calling out some of film's historical inaccuracies and the portrayal of Courtney Love. This movie stars Macaulay Culkin as Kurt Cobain and Bonnie Gruesen as Courtney Love.
  • October 11th, 2008: A Nirvana compilation album with fully unheard Nirvana tracks and live jamming sessions, all recorded sometime in the mid to late-1990s (late 1994-1997), is released under the name The Unheard Songs. The album includes an early version of the controversial Courtney Will Take Us Over Soon Enough, recorded in September 1996 under the name "Penis." Some of these lost songs become favorites amongst fans of the group and are even played over the radio.
  • June 12th, 2018: Kurt performs Mrs. Buttersworth and Come As You Are on the Howard Stern Show with Nirvana, their first performance since 2003 when they retired as a band. This is also Kurt Cobain's first performance since retiring from making music. The band would reunite for live performances on rare occasions afterwards.
  • late-2000s-present: Rumors of another Kurt Cobain solo project or a seventh Nirvana album (featuring Cobain or Frances Bean Cobain herself) are thrown around for decades, but are denied by both Cobain and his bandmates who have no plans to reunite officially for new Nirvana material. Solo material is also denied by Kurt Cobain, but it is hinted by him that he could come out of retirement sometime in the near future, but nothing related to new Nirvana material or tour dates, just the occasional live shows at small venues.

Album covers

 
1994 (compilation album)
 
1994
 
1994 (compilation album)
 
1995
 
1996
 
Alive & Well backside
 
1997
 
1998 (compilation album)
 
2000
 
2001
 
2003
 
2008 (compilation album)