A memorial plaque has been erected in honour of the late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain in his hometown of Aberdeen, Washington some 15 years after his passing. The granite memorial features an etched portrait amidst an array of quotes like ‘the duty of youth is to challenge corruption’, certainly unique to the tortured artist who spent years composing the music that inadvertently became the soundtrack to a rebellious generation X. Despite the unease with which locals still greet considering Cobain a native son, the township posted the title of his track Come As You Are at the entrance to town in 2005.

During his turbulent 27 years, the singer-songwriter was never far from controversy usually relating to his unorthodox lyricism, whirlwind relationship with succubus Courtney Love or his ongoing substance abuse, also well documented in his music. Yet Cobain still manages to cause controversy, even from beyond the grave. Aberdeen Mayor Bill Simpson is up in arms over the quote “drugs are bad for you, they will fuck you up,” subsequently resulting in the F-bomb’s removal (or at least the last three letters).

Despite the censorship, the lasting spirit of grunge still flourishes in small town USA, evident through the almost immediate pencilling in of the missing letters.