This is the second of two articles regarding Kurt Cobain’s suicide.

“Don’t expect me to cry/ Don’t expect me to lie/ Don’t expect me to die for me” – Kurt Cobain (MTV Unplugged – 1994)

The unanswered questions surrounding the death of Nirvana front man, and rock revolutionary, Kurt Cobain are legendary. The “Suicide VS. Murder” controversy ranks as rock’n’roll’s greatest mystery – ahead of “How can anyone tolerate Poison The Well?”

One question, as unanswerable as it is fun to speculate, is what Cobain and Nirvana would have entailed had their career not been cut short in 1994. It may have gone something like this:

November 1994 – After battling severe stomach pains since childhood, the same pains that had hospitalized him a year earlier, Cobain would check himself into a Californian rehabilitation center to hopefully target the problem. During his stay, attempts to finally kick heroine would be successful.

February 1995 – A pro-active and drug-free Cobain would begin a new approach to life. His growing dissatisfaction with Courtney Love is well documented and one of the prime factors by conspiracy theorists. Inevitably, the newly sober Cobain would divorce the quintessential Riot Grrl.

October 1995 – Nirvana would release their fourth official studio album. On 1993’s “In Utero,” the song “Dumb” was the first hint of a mellower side of Cobain. The MTV Unplugged performance furthered his interest in strings and acoustic guitars. The fourth record would still incorporate the trademark loud/soft approach and outsider lyrics, yet several of the tracks would embrace delicate songwriting.

December 1995 – Surprised by the commercial success of the “new” Nirvana, never one to relish commercial success and national acclaim, he would be taken aback by the public’s positive response. Believing the critics and fans to be “hypocrites” – as they embraced a record of music Cobain was praised for destroying – he would revert to some former habits. On a lonely New Years Eve, Cobain would again use heroine.

April 1996 – After a grueling world tour filled with “sell out” performances on talk shows and festivals, Cobain’s drug use would reach an all-time high. After feeling guilty about raising daughter Frances Bean being in a single-parent household, he would begin another romantic endeavor with Courtney Love.

July 1996 – Dave Grohl, who had over 15 songs written by 1994, would now have enough material for two records. Tension between Grohl and Cobain would heighten, as the two bickered over song selections for the upcoming Nirvana tour and recording. Ultimately, Cobain would win out and only one Grohl song would be included with the preliminary song selections.

December 1996 – Feeling threatened by Grohl’s growing public persona, Cobain retreats to his Washington home and puts Nirvana on hiatus. Meanwhile, Grohl has begun singing and playing guitar for a side project with Pat Smear.

May 1997 – Feeling stagnant and that he was losing his best friend and band, Krist Novaselic would urge the members of Nirvana to reconcile and regroup in the studio. After feeling satisfied with the success of his side project Foo Fighters, Grohl would return to Seattle ready to work alongside Cobain.

September 1997 – After battling Cobains drug abuse and the Yoko-like presence of Courtney Love in the studio, producer Butch Vig postpones recording until after the Thanksgiving holiday.

December 1997 – Reunited in the studio, but with growing distain for Geffen Records who wanted the record to be released before Christmas, Nirvana puts the finishing touches on the fifth studio LP.

February 1998 – Now living with Courtney Love, Cobain seems uninterested in touring. Instead, another Foo Fighters tour ensues, as Grohl has become a regular guest on MTV and the talk show circuit.

May 1998 – After seeking advice from close friend Michael Stipe, Cobain decides to take a year off from music. Feeling his happiness was in danger, due in part to his growing paranoia, he again retreats to Washington. In a dramatic press release to his fans, Cobain stated he felt guilty about his plans to abstain from publicly making music. He would go on and promise to record in his home during his reclusive year.

August 1998 – In a Paul McCartney-esque move, Krist Novaselic would diplomatically end Nirvana. In an address on the bands rarely- updated Web site, the founding band member would blame the split on a growing hatred for the record industry, Grohl’s interest in Foo Fighers, Cobain’s stomach pains and a desire to stay friends with each.

January 1999 – Cobain and Lover are photographed by US magazine attending a parent/teacher conference. The magazine would openly bash the couple for their poor parenting, yet speculate Cobain might soon re-enter the public eye.

April 1999 – “Hello, welcome to an MTV news break. I’m Kurt Loder. The body of former Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain was found this afternoon in his Washington home – dead of an apparent drug overdose. Few details have been disclosed at this time. Cobain is survived by daughter Frances Bean and ex-wife/current girlfriend Courtney Love.”

Northern Star Online, April 9, 2004