Heavier than Heaven

A Biography of Kurt Cobain

By: Charles R. Cross

Narrated by: Lloyd James

Length: 14 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

When Kurt Cobain died by his own hand in April 1994, it was an act of will that typified his short, angry, inspired life. Veteran music journalist Charles R. Cross fuses his intimate knowledge of the Seattle music scene with his deep compassion for his subject in this extraordinary story of artistic brilliance and the pain that extinguished it.

Based on more than 400 interviews, four years of research, and exclusive access to Cobain's unpublished diaries, lyrics, and family photos, Heavier than Heaven traces Cobain's life from his early days in a double-wide trailer outside of Aberdeen, Washington, to his rise to fame, success, and the adulation of a generation.

©2001 Charles R. Cross (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Definitive...Cross untangles the soul of a man." ( USA Today)
" Heavier than Heaven sets a high, new standard." ( Rolling Stone)
"One of the most moving and revealing books ever written about a rock star." ( Los Angeles Times)

Great narration

Love Nirvana and blew through this in less than a week. You won’t regret the purchase!

I WROTE A BAD REVIEW.

I wrote a bad review about this book but I would like to say here, I was wrong as I had not finished it. This is one of the most in depth and revealing books on one of the most amazing souls of the last century. Yeah, Cobain was that big. I loved this book and appreciate the revelations about one of my heros. RIP COBAIN.

Blew me away

Would you consider the audio edition of Heavier than Heaven to be better than the print version?

Listening, vs, reading, helped me to digest this incredible and moving story of a man who would grow up to make the impact that changed the musical taste of my generation. I could actually place myself in the world of the characters. I would have loved to be able to see pictures though.

What other book might you compare Heavier than Heaven to and why?

I can't actually say which book it would be, but after reading several biographies of Jim Morrison, I would have to say that I can see some similarities between the two artists. Not so much their childhoods, but how both of them having these deep insecurities and not realizing the talent that lay within their souls and the effect they had on people. Both artists were game changers but maybe failed to see this.

Which character – as performed by Lloyd James – was your favorite?

Of course Kurt Cobain was my favorite character, however, I could really relate to Tracy, I was a girlfriend of a musician, who was a good bit like Kurt, when I was young and I remember how sensitive he was as well as his constant need for my support of his art.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I had an EXTREMELY strong reaction on so many personal levels. My son, due to my youth (pregnant and married my senior year) and inexperience, had some of Kurt's pain. He was a product of a divorce and the having to go from one house to another. I don't have addiction issues, but was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder in his teens and is an addict. My son grew up hearing me listening to Nirvana and taught himself to play and sing their songs. I think many artists, such as Kurt, are very sensitive creatures, who need the outlet, that music provides, as a form of therapy. There were MANY parts of this book that brought tears to my eyes and after finishing it, I called my son to say

Any additional comments?

As soon as I downloaded the Audible app, Heavier than Heaven was the first book I searched for, I was elated that you had it in stock.

Great read

Great for first (read). Kurt is interesting and very good narrator made the story tolerable.

Let me clip dirty wing

a must lesson for music fans of the early 90's I finished in one day

A Great Listen

Charles R. Cross’s biographies are very in-depth and easy to listen to. The narrator is the same as the Jimi Hendrix biography. He’s not bad but just uses the same voice and and annunciation for every person, a stupid complaint, but I like when it’s a little more acted out. But overall, I really enjoyed it.

Excellent Book

Very well written book. I highly recommend for any fans of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana!

A moving and honest book, about life and choices.

Sad, beautiful, and moving. Rather than focusing on all the rock star BS, this book instead follows the journey of a little boy on a snowy hill with his family. There is nothing sensational or scandalous, just a story of a boy from a small town whose life is upended by divorce, violence depression, Ritalin, doctors and friends. This book makes him a real person that many, myself included, can identify with. It's blunt without being reckless or disrespectful, and it doesn't point fingers or assign blame to a particular person group or substance. This is a wonderfully written and narrated book and I think it's subject matter is very important and meaningful.

Good story

The story was enjoyable but sad. I was 16 when his body was found. I still remember the MTV airing of the vigil and and the audio of Courtney Love reading his suicide letter. I enjoyed learning more about Kurt Cobain, his family, and Nirvana's rise to fame. Listening to the story has been a bittersweet trip down memory lane. I will say that I am thankful that I was able to witness firsthand the quirkiness of Nirvana (via MTV) to the transition of Kurt Cobain to a near mythic legend. RIP Kurt Cobain.

Loved it ..... Huge Kurt fan

Was great. Good story and also well read. Would totally recommend this read to anyone who is a Nirvana or Kurt fan.