On this day, we celebrate the late and great Kurt Cobain. Though he passed 22 years ago, there is an extraordinary amount of homage being paid to this unforgettable artist. Even after all this time, Cobain remains a staple to rock ‘n’ roll history. Nirvana’s “Nevermind” still screams through old 90s Pioneer stereo systems and millennials are discovering the soon-to-be vintage sounds of grunge alternative rock.

Cobain was blunt in both music and life. People either loved or hated his cheeky “I don’t give a shit” demeanor and he welcomed all forms of opposition with a smile on his face.

“Hi, my name is Kurt Cobain, I’m homosexual, I’m a pagan, I’m a drug abuser, and I like to fuck pot-bellied pigs!”

To the older, ear-plugging generations, Cobain seemed like a nuisance to society. However, his bold, unforgiving temperament came from his perpetual thirst for equality. He wanted acceptance for everyone and if an unbeliever tried to get in the way of that, he’d wave his middle fingers proudly and mouth an impassioned “fuck you.” Cobain was as progressive as they come, and he made sure to get that message across in any way he could.

“I started being really proud of the fact that I was gay, even though I wasn’t.”

Of course, his music was just as telling as his interaction with society; No flowery vocabulary (though he loved floral patterns), no beating around the bush, no bullshit. Nirvana quickly became the face of honesty and vulnerability.

Watch Lithium (Live at Reading- 1992) 

Whether you’re a personal fan of the band or not, the music had a message. Cobain had a notebook filled with thoughts and feelings that he incorporated into every song. No one told him what to sing (or scream) and his songs brought purpose to the genre.

It’s always sad to say goodbye to the artists who make a difference in our lives. Just this year, David Bowie made his peaceful exit. However, these legends live on in our hearts and through our headphones forever. Cobain mentioned in his suicide note that, “It’s better to burn out than to fade away” and if anything is certain, it’s that the name Kurt Cobain will never fade away in time.