"The bluest skies you've ever seen, in Seattle / And the hills, the greenest green, in Seattle." Pop Argot's off to the great northwest for the annual EMP Pop Conference, a confab of dozens of the nation's leading music critics, journos, historians, ethnomusicologists, and the like, to talk shop and break bread. It's always a joy to be there. But that means no more posts until next week.So for now, in tribute to one of my favorite cities, here's Seattle's favorite musical son - and I should note that last week I missed the 15th anniversary of his death. That event wasn't a big moment for me, I must admit. I mean, I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news - I was walking through Caflisch Hall in between classes when Kurt Loder was talking about it on MTV. But Nirvana weren't what I listened to with regularity. I did know, when I first heard "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in the fall of '91 on the campus radio station, that a wind of change had come, but vocally Kurt Cobain wasn't where I was at. Still isn't, though I mightily respect his pained voice's power on this live performance of "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" Does send more than a few chills.
Ultimately, though, I find that Nirvana means a great deal to rock music but not a great deal to me. And I don't wonder what would have happened had Kurt not killed himself - because then I'd fear he'd have instead become a Layne Staley, or worse, an Andy Dick.
On that cheery note, see you all next week.
2 comments:
Have a good time!
I first learned about Kurt's death from the Internet, which I believe was the first time that happened. That was Usenet; suddenly a bunch of groups (I can't remember which ones) were flooded with "Did you hear? Is it true?" messages. You had to ask, because even in those days, there were a lot of people that got their jollies by posting nonsense. But it turned out to be true.
-D*
Enjoy your stay in Rainytown; have a few clams at Ivar's for me.
Post a Comment