Serving the Servant: Remembering Kurt Cobain
Written by Danny Goldberg
Narrated by Danny Goldberg
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
On the twenty-fifth anniversary of Kurt Cobain’s death comes a new perspective on one of the most compelling icons of our time—and the only book written by someone who knew him.
In early 1991, top music manager Danny Goldberg agreed to take on Nirvana, a critically acclaimed new band from the underground music scene in Seattle. He had no idea that the band’s leader, Kurt Cobain, would become a pop-culture icon with a legacy arguably at the level of that of John Lennon, Michael Jackson, or Elvis Presley. Danny worked with Kurt from 1990 to 1994, the most impactful period of Kurt’s life. This key time saw the stratospheric success of Nevermind, which turned Nirvana into the most successful rock band in the world and made punk and grunge household terms; Kurt’s meeting and marriage to the brilliant but mercurial Courtney Love and their relationship that became a lightning rod for critics; the birth of their daughter, Frances Bean; and, finally, Kurt’s public struggles with addiction, which ended in a devastating suicide that would alter the course of rock history. Throughout, Danny stood by Kurt’s side as manager, and close friend.
Drawing on Goldberg’s own memories of Kurt, files that previously have not been made public, and interviews with, among others, Kurt’s close family, friends, and former bandmates, Serving the Servants sheds an entirely new light on these critical years. Casting aside the common obsession with the angst and depression that seemingly drove Kurt, Serving the Servants is an exploration of his brilliance in every aspect of rock and roll, his compassion, his ambition, and the legacy he wrought—one that has lasted decades longer than his career did. Danny Goldberg explores what it is about Kurt Cobain that still resonates today, even with a generation who wasn’t alive until after Kurt’s death. In the process, he provides a portrait of an icon unlike any that has come before.
Danny Goldberg
Danny Goldberg is president and owner of Gold Village Entertainment, an artist management company; former CEO and founder of Gold Mountain Entertainment; former chairman and CEO of both Mercury Records and Artemis Records; former CEO of Air America; and frequent contributor to the Los Angeles Times, The Nation, Huffington Post, Dissent, Billboard, and many other outlets. He is the author of In Search of the Lost Chord, Bumping into Geniuses, and How the Left Lost Teen Spirit, and coeditor of It’s a Free Country. He lives in Pound Ridge, New York.
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Reviews for Serving the Servant
80 ratings6 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This was absolutely not a money grab. It was an honest and intelligent view of Kurt from someone who knew him and has had years to decide what to say. The book reminds us that Kurt’s major talent was that he was born with the ability to write melodies that never failed at being catchy. Perhaps no one is better at that. He was aware of his gift. He was super kind to people. His struggle is well documented and the rumors are put to rest with this book. Side note that a couple of gripping highlights are Danny’s play by play of Ledbelly’s song at Unplugged and the limo driver’s story. Book is worth the listen for any Kurt fan and anyone who says Danny is doing this for money is disrespecting Kurt and Danny. Thank you Danny for sharing something so personal to you and realizing how personal it is to everyone touched or aware of Kurt when he had it all and succumbed. - Dan Failla, Santa Barbara
2 people found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Loved this brilliant book, recommend it to any Kurt Cobain, Nirvana, or music lovers who want a deeper insight into the genius that was Cobain.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Danny’s here to clean up shop. Piece of shit “Milking It.” He’s a liar, and so is his wife. Shame to them and may they live miserable live’s.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I am beyond impressed by this author. As I was listening about Kurt's insecurities with regard to his own talent and future, his struggle with heroin addiction along with the complicated relationship with Courtney as if I was directly witnessing it! Also, the details around Kurt's attitude towards Axl Rose and Eddie Veder were not known to me. Compelling! Brilliant! Absorbing!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5One of the best artist to ever live and so we miss the most
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Danny’s insight and story telling was excellent. I loved seeing inside the band and Kurt’s perspectives.