Helen Mirren Reflects on Kurt Cobain’s 1994 Passing, Laments He Never Experienced GPS

Helen Mirren expressed her sadness over Kurt Cobain not having experienced technological innovations such as GPS, as he passed away in 1994.

The lead singer of Nirvana was just 27 when he died, with authorities concluding his death was a suicide.

Cobain’s untimely demise placed him in the infamous ’27 Club’, a group that includes musicians like Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison, all of whom died at the same age.

Even 30 years later, Cobain remains a significant figure in the music world, and recently, actor Helen Mirren spoke about the late musician.

During an appearance on the Evening Standard’s Brave New World podcast, Mirren acknowledged feeling fortunate to have lived through the remarkable technological progress witnessed in recent years.

However, while discussing this, she expressed her regret that Cobain never got to experience it.

She remarked, “I always say it’s so sad that Kurt Cobain died when he did. Because he never saw GPS, as it’s the most wonderful thing to watch my little blue spot walking down the street. I just find it completely magical and unbelievable.”

This isn’t the first time Mirren has linked Cobain’s passing with technological advances. In a 2015 interview with Cosmopolitan, she said, “I was thinking about Kurt Cobain the other day and he died without knowing the internet, and I’m totally blown away by that.”

In another conversation with Oprah Winfrey a year earlier, Mirren again touched on the subject.

She told the talk show host, “Look at Kurt Cobain – he hardly even saw a computer! The digital stuff that’s going on is so exciting. I’m just so curious about what happens next.”

Earlier in the year, Frances Bean Cobain, Cobain’s only child, welcomed her first child.

Frances is wedded to Riley Hawk, who is the eldest son of former professional skateboarder Tony Hawk.

Before the birth of their baby, Frances had not announced her pregnancy publicly.

However, in September, she shared a collection of images on Instagram of the newborn and Riley together.

“Welcome to the world most beautiful son. We love you more than anything,” Frances captioned the images.

She disclosed the child’s full name as Ronin Walker Cobain Hawk.

According to People magazine, Frances and Riley tied the knot on October 7, 2023, with a marriage certificate confirming the event.

R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe, who is Frances’ godfather, reportedly officiated the wedding.