2. Kurt Cobain
Arguably the man who catalysed the grunge movement, though it was a connection he frequently tried to distance himself from. Whatever perspective music fans have of Kurt Cobain, they will all agree that his talent was remarkable. Like so many before him, Cobain died far too young and at a period when he could have gone on to do anything he wanted, such was the gargantuan support for his art. Born in the slow monotony of Aberdeen, Washington on February 20, 1967, the young Cobain spent many a day in private solitude after his parents divorced when he was just seven, an event that would prove to be a critical factor in the direction the musician took in his life and career. At the age of fourteen, the young Kurt bought his first guitar, inspired by his experience of listening to a whole variety of bands ranging from The Beatles to The Sex Pistols. It would prove to be an acquisition that would be the making of him. After a few years of taking in the musical vibe of the off-beat scene in Seattle, Cobain and friend Krist Novaselic formed Nirvana in 1985, which would be the beginning of something very special indeed. In the years that followed, Nirvanas contradictory sound, sometimes angst-ridden, sometimes childishly humorous, made great waves in both America and in Europe, resonating with a generation of disaffected youths. Though his playing may have been minimalistic, the raw, palpable emotions Cobain was able to conjure with his instrument had the power to arrest the attention of many, even those who had an aversion to the frequently aggressive sounds emanating from his amplifier. Its also important to remember that Cobain was a profoundly talented lyricist, who was able to both engage and confuse listeners with his poetic capabilities, who latched on to his every word.