Many people believe Kurt Cobain to be the greatest rock star of all time. He is a grunge pioneer and outspoken advocate for equality who had no concerns about smashing guitars on stage. He changed the face of the frontman through his music and beliefs. Along with creating some of the most iconic alternative rock hits of all time with Nirvana, he was unwaveringly vocal about issues such as misogyny and homophobia.
Few people have had such a profound impact on the rock world, but that doesn’t mean Cobain was a fan of everything or everyone involved. Instead, he openly expressed his dislike for certain aspects of the musical scene in which he participated. For example, he rightfully criticized his rock predecessors, Led Zeppelin, for their sex-driven lyrics.
Kurt Cobain once made a particularly damning statement about two artists while sharing his hatred for rock. He cleverly insulted them by suggesting that he wear a tie-dye shirt made of their bodily fluids. Unafraid to criticize the so-called greats, Cobain named a pair of artists who many fans of the genre believe should sit alongside him at the top.
Phil Collins has been lauded for his prog-rock pioneering work with Genesis and an impressive solo career. Jerry Garcia has been praised for his counter-cultural impact with the Grateful Dead. But it’s safe to say that Cobain was not a fan of either. To do so may be an understatement, as he began his commentary on them with some words. “You know what I hate about rock?” during an interview with Melody Maker in 1992.
“Cartoons and horns,” he went on to say, “I hate Phil Collins, all of that white male soul.”
Along with his work with Genesis, Collins set out on more soulful solo ventures. He produced future hits such as ‘In the Air Tonight’ and ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’ in the early 1980s. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Cobain was not a fan of this sound. Nor was he a fan of the Grateful Dead’s signature tie-dye merch.
“I hate tie-dyed tee shirts, too,” he said. “You know there are bootleg tie-dyed tee-shirts of Nirvana. I despise that. “I wouldn’t wear a tie-dyed t-shirt unless Phil Collins’ urine and Jerry Garcia’s blood dyed it.” It’s a damning statement – one evidenced by the fact that Cobain went on to declare that no one ever prints it.
It’s no surprise that people didn’t want to print the grotesque comment, which even shocked Courtney Love, who called Cobain’s comments “fifth grade” and “so boy!” But, understandably, the pioneering frontman would make such an outspoken statement.
