Serving the Servant audiobook

Goldberg reminds us that massive success for an artist isn't the only thing that goes down as legend. It's the view from just outside, that person breathing fog rings on a window and sucking them away, listening through the aging panels that do little good keeping the noise in. A rare glimpse inside the mind of a cautionary tale: Too big, too fast. He didn't need to have serious chats with Kurt to know how he struggled, why he struggled or how intense his struggle was. He lived alongside another human being, empathy strong as ever, feeling a hint of his pain, seeing a glimpse of his vision. Vice-versa. No one's gonna accuse him of being his brother or his father. But he was there, helping him get it done. I think I appreciated Goldberg’s own point-of-view and his own happenings as much as I did Kurt's. It's not always the star that goes down in history, ‘cause in this book, this is Goldberg, this is HIS-story. Respect.

Serving the Servant by Danny Goldberg is a first-hand account on the Seattle grunge movement that catapulted a contemplative Kurt Cobain into superstardom. And, suicide. Deeply damaged by his meteoric rise to fame and drugged out of his mind, Cobain’s tragic death 25 years ago has forever changed the music industry and remains a cautionary tale for all seeking the seductive spotlight. While Goldberg’s intimate insight on Cobain’s mental instability is painful to read at times, especially for this Grunger, I’m still left wondering…what if? And, it sucks.

I honestly can’t believe it’s been 25 years since Cobain’s death. I was 12, and can remember my older brother’s utter devastation. Cobain’s friend and former manager has penned an intimate look at the brilliant, but troubled artist during the peak of Nirvana’s fame through his tumultuous last days. This is an honest and touching tribute, though admittedly biased (naturally). It’s an excellent companion to the extremely detailed Michael Azzerad biography.

Me at 17: Kurt Cobain was ridiculously hot.Me at 32: Kurt Cobain was a creative genius. That's why he was ridiculously hot.

I Mine tre år med Kurt Cobain fortæller musikmanageren, Danny Goldberg, om sine tre år som Nirvanas manager. Han blev bandets manager kort før udgivelsen af ’Nevermind’ og var det i tre år frem til Kurt Cobains selvmord. Det var en skeptisk Goldberg, der i 1991 blev præsenteret for ideen om at blive Nirvanas manager. Hidtil havde punkrockbands ikke tjent penge på deres musik, – genren opstod som del af en antikapitalistisk ideologi, så et kommercielt gennembrud stod på mange måder i kontrast til musikkens udgangspunkt – så at Nirvana skulle skabe det album, der kom til at erstatte Michael Jacksons førsteplads på Billboards top 200 var umuligt at forudse. Ikke desto mindre tog Danny Goldberg opgaven på sig, og i tre år fulgte han bandet tæt, særligt tæt kom han på Kurt Cobian og senere Courtney Love, som hans hustru, Rosemary Carroll, var advokat for.I bogen fortæller han Nirvanas historie ud fra en stram kronologisk komposition, og selvom mange af hans beretninger er fortalt før, så tilfører han nye indblik og forsøger at skabe et helstøbt billede af Kurt Cobain. Der er oftest en tendens til helgendyrkelse, når der tegnes billeder af afdøde idoler, og selvom Danny Goldberg gør sit bedste for at beskrive Cobains mange nuancer, så skinner hans kærlighed til kunstneren alligevel igennem. Forfatteren er dog bevidst om egne tendenser og gentager, at han ikke er helt objektiv, hvilket er med til at skabe en transparent og forholdsvis saglig beretning. Det er en opslugende og levende fortælling om bandets og Cobains udvikling fra at være antikapitalistiske rebeller til at blive et af de største rocknavne i verden.

Anytime I get to read something about Kurt - I feel totally blessed to even have any access to what he was like (artistically, his work ethic, the passion and empathy for people around him, the way he was humble, vulnerable, raw and most of all - flawed, partly like the rest of us but also in an artistic genius way). He was a mystery to even those closest to him and I believe he didn't understand himself fully either. However, we are truly fortunate to be able to listen and feel the emotions he conveyed through his art.While I was reading the book, I could intensely feel some of the aspects Danny Goldberg was depicting, and in some occasions I had to stop and read again Kurt's words because I was in awe of the flow of his thoughts and the way he meticulously arranged to perfection his words, lyrics, art and persona. His being was deeply rooted in constantly creating, learning and trying to evolve all while staying true to his values and yet pushing for new horizons and opportunities. He knew what he wanted all along, even if it didn't seem like that. He was a visionary, a sensible soul but also a brave and strong-willed artist that never settled or compromised his art for the sake of anyone's opinion.I am truly thankful and I believe so many people are too. He will always live in the memory and hearts of those who loved him and through the music he left behind.Danny, thank you for putting in time and effort to commemorate Kurt - as a person, a friend, an artist and a hero to countless. Love always, Jenny

Fascinating account, which I highly recommend to anyone interested in the history of 90s rock music or pop culture and iconography and art in general. I could write 1,000 words of praise, discussing all the things I really enjoyed about this book, which was headed towards a solid five stars. Instead of doing that, I'll explain my one-star demerit. I complemented my read of Goldberg's text with as much online media as I could: when he describes concert performances, or interviews, etc, I looked them up online, turning the experience into more of a multi-media project. In a few cases I found small inaccuracies. Case in point, Goldberg writes: "One of MCA’s roles was to secure TV appearances, the first of which was for the Channel 4 show The Word, at which Kurt proudly told the studio audience, “I’d like you all to know that Courtney Love is the best fuck in the world.”" Here is video of what Kurt actually said: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcpcE... "I'd like all of you people in this room to know that Courtney Love, the lead singer of the sensational pop group Hole, is the best fuck in the world." The meaning may come to the same, but nuance is lost through the abbreviated version. I believe that attributed quotes should be verbatim whenever possible, particularly when the source is so readily available; details matter. And if words are left out, that should be signaled in the transcript. Hence the slight rating dip for a few of these discrepancies. Still, an overall fantastic book, with a clearly stated point of view, from someone who was there, on the inside.

Brought back some good memories of my time in Pittsburgh PA. Can't believe how old I am! I was in my 20s when Nirvana came on the scene, and I don't really know much about them. I have ambivalent feelings about the author, and I'm sure there are other sides to the history of the band, but I wound up wondering what Kurt Cobain would be doing now, and feeling the loss.

Many thanks to Hachette Australia for providing me with a copy of Serving the Servant, in exchange for an honest review.I was fifteen years old when Kurt Cobain died.  I still remember exactly where I was, who I was with and what we were doing the very moment the news came over the radio.  In a short time, Nirvana had shaped much of the music I adored in my teenage years, and still love today, so when I received Serving the Servant: Remembering Kurt Cobain from Hachette Australia for review, to say I was excited would be an understatement. I found a lot of the intricate ins and outs Danny Goldberg laid down about the music industry a little tedious at first, but once I got into the swing of the stories and heartfelt descriptions of Kurt's personality, I was hooked.  There was so much about Kurt Cobain that I didn't know, and I thought I knew a lot.  As a fifteen year old in the early nineties, I didn't take much notice of the fact that he was a feminist and a supporter of gay rights - it just wasn't something on most teenagers radar then (although nowadays teens seem much more worldly and outspoken about important issues).  I loved reading about his views and the way he rejected other rock stars who showed racist, sexist and homophobic viewpoints in their lives and music.  If I thought I couldn't love Kurt any more than I already did, this alone proved me wrong.  The explanations surrounding Kurt's viewpoints on 'reverse snobbery' in the underground indi music industry really resonated with me too.  That's something that certainly still goes on today but Nirvana were instrumental in bridging that gap between so many different music lovers.  Danny Goldberg writes about Kurt in such an endearing way, almost like an older brother would lovingly describe his rascally younger sibling.  He admits on several occasions in the book that he is biased when it comes to thoughts about Kurt, because he loved him so much and his pain when discussing Kurt's addiction is obvious.  He doesn't hold back on talking about the sadder parts of Kurt's life and personality, but he does such a great job of celebrating the intelligent, incredible music genius that resided inside him. Danny's description of Kurt as a quiet, funny person, who could switch to depressive episodes so quickly, showed the obvious mental health challenges he faced.  It was devastating to read how the pressures of instant stardom and media witch-hunts took such a toll on both Kurt and Courtney and inconceivable that it was only 3 years from the time Nevermind was released to Kurt's death.  The ripples Nirvana made in the music world have lasted well into the current day and I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who loves their music.MY BLOG ~ INSTAGRAM

Danny Goldberg writes an intimate readable story about Kurt Cobain's life from his point of view as Nirvana's music manager, a job he accepted just prior to Nevermind's release and Nirvana's warp speed ascent to fame. The music industry details might drag a bit for some, but I usually like those bits. Kurt Cobain was a true individualist with his own vision, an artistic genius. He walked a line between punk sensibility and world exposure, never bowing to the restrictions of either faction. Cobain compromised smartly, just a smidgen, infrequently. Eventually, his depression and addiction took him off his chosen path and ended his life. He was an outspoken supporter of women's rights and gay rights. Where many people find it easy to stand up for a group/an ideal, Cobain identified sexism in individual instances, for example, when supporting his wife, Courtney Love. This is true activism. I firmly believe that supporting an agenda, without supporting people in our own lives, keeps us/the larger movement stagnant. It's hypocritical. Boldly and naturally, Nirvana was the first high profile band to play in support of gay rights. Their actions were compassionate and revolutionary. Fans and haters of Kurt Cobain seem to relentlessly hold on to their view of who they think he was. The way he connected through his music, gives people the feeling that they knew him even if they never met him. Silly as it seems, I feel that way. Yet, to those people closest to him, he remained an enigma. He was approachable and friendly. At the turn of a dime, he could become sullen, distant, lost in thought. I love Kurt Cobain even more after reading Goldberg's account. My favorite non-fiction books are about musicians. This book is in the top five.

Decades after his tragic suicide, Kurt Cobain, the mercurial frontman of punk-grunge superstars Nirvana, is still an object of fascination. Unfortunately, however, to borrow a famous phrase, history is written by the victors, in this case the journalists who profited from crafting Cobain’s public image, and they’ve made a cottage industry of portraying him in a very narrow manner: as a depressive, drug-addled genius who was destroyed by the weight of his fame. Thankfully, there are a few members of his inner circle that have tried to set the record straight, and the latest salvo in this battle comes courtesy of Danny Goldberg, Nirvana’s manager, the head of Gold Mountain Entertainment, and a father figure for Cobain, in his memoir “Serving The Servant: Remembering Kurt Cobain.” Though obviously biased in its own way, the book sheds some much-needed light on some of the lesser known facets of its subject’s personality, making for an extremely bittersweet reading experience.For fans of Nirvana (and, seriously, who isn’t?), “Serving The Servant” is a little bit of Cobain 101. It covers his dysfunctional, poverty-stricken childhood, through the creation of the band, their meteoric success, his chaotic marriage with Courtney Love, and the downward spiral of his heroin abuse. Having been their manager, Goldberg’s memories tend to skew more towards the business side of things - negotiations with record labels, disputes with video directors, putting out media fires, etc. - but his intimate access also reveals the overlooked sweetness, generosity, humor, and innate decency that made Cobain a great man, not just a great musician or artist. It was incredibly heartwarming to read about how Cobain went out of his way to connect with fans, share his good fortune with friends in other bands, and - most importantly - bring attention to political causes that he believed in, like LGBT rights, gender equality, and pro-choice institutions. It was also unbelievably sad to have a front row seat as he struggled not to succumb to his demons; I’m not ashamed to say that some passages left a lump in my throat. But I also didn’t realize how ambitious and calculating Cobain could be, as his mythos has always been centered around his slacker persona. And of course “Serving the Servant” is a bit self-serving, but Goldberg also doesn’t shy away from ruffling some feathers, calling out addiction counselors who focused more on being close to celebrity than aiding their celebrity clients, producers who ginned up controversy to raise their own profile, or opportunists who unapologetically used Kurt’s death to make wild accusations. Overall, “Serving The Servant” feels pretty well-balanced, sympathetic, and even celebratory at times, just the way it should.Nirvana was a huge part of my adolescence. I remember getting “In Utero” from the House Of Guitars when it came out and playing the hell out of that album. I remember the devastation of reading about Kurt Cobain’s death in the newspaper. Nirvana and Kurt have always been a part of my life and, if I’m being honest, I think some of my liberalism can be traced back to Cobain’s liner notes in the “Incesticide” album, where he denounced homophobes, racists, and sexists while championing art and authenticity. For people my age, I think it’s impossible not to have been shaped in some way by Nirvana and, by extension, its leader. In fact, as I go on YouTube now - technology that never existed in Cobain’s day - to check out Eugenius, a band that he urged Goldberg to sign to Atlantic Records when he was the president there, I think he’s still shaping my life - and the world - in subtle, indelible ways.

The friend who introduced me to Nirvana's music died of an overdose in 2006 when we were both 21. That may have something to do with why listening to this audiobook affected me so deeply. After listening, I felt as if I knew Kurt and had to deal emotionally with the loss of him even though it happened decades ago. I was in elementary school when Nirvana rose to fame so all I really knew before this book were snippets of headlines and gossip stories that I heard about later as a preteen. By that point I feel like Kurt's story had been boiled down to oversimplified, sensationalized explanations. Goldberg admits that he does now and always did try to see the more positive sides of Kurt but being that this is the only book written by someone who actually knew Kurt, and he was very close to Kurt, it might be one of the most reliable accounts that exists. I feel like what I learned first is that Kurt had a lot more agency and control over his career than I had previously believed. Goldberg's account also does not depict this tortured soul who was at war with living. Kurt's drug use and depression seemed to intensify greatly over a short period of time and unfortunately, I have seen this common theme among addicts where friends, family and sometimes even the addict themselves can see what's coming but feel that nothing they can do will be able to stop it.

... oh my goddd. this is definitely going to be a re-read. it was so nice to hear about kurt from an author who actually cared about him, and didn't just write the novel to exploit him for money. this was an amazing retelling! i loved reading about the behind the scenes of the album creations as well. it was so cool, and there was so many little stories told that continued to remind me why i love and look up to kurt, and nirvana in general. from playing in small clubs, to releasing nevermind, becoming a worldwide sensation, drug addiction, depression, supporting feminism and gay rights, the vanity fair piece, in utero, the intervention, and the end... it was insane to hear about it all from someone so close to him, and not just common rumours that people made up for attention. i loved this book, and thought that danny goldberg did a fantastic job. i really feel for him, this was a beautiful retelling. it painted such a great picture of what nirvana stood for, and especially of all the positive impacts kurt made in his short life, along with why he continues to affect people today, long after he's gone.

Great account of the life of Nirvana lead singer/songwriter by his manager. I always wondered why Nirvana was not included in the movie Singles, and this book answers that. a lot of name dropping of big famous rock bands and some lesser known punk ones. This book compares Nirvana to the Beatles and Kurt C to John Lennon. I feel this is apt. Great visionary artists who will have a lasting impact. Like a lot of people, I loved KC's music with Nirvana and felt a connection to him. It's strange to me that you can feel a connection to someone you've never met, through their art. If I had known Kurt, I feel we could have been friends. I sensed he was a little crazy, maybe like myself, and I could identify with that. Of course the cause of his death is not completely known. Depression, heroin addiction. Probably a combination of a lot of things. Kudos and acknowledgments to Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, Courtney Love and Frances Bean Cobain. Anyone associated with Nirvana's legacy. the music will live on.....

I don’t often write actual reviews but I felt compelled to write one for Serving The Servant. In short, this book was fantastic. If you’re a fan of Kurt Cobain I highly recommend you reading this. It gives amazing insight to the man behind Nirvana and touches on how the band started as well, but it really shows how amazing a human being he was. A kind, caring, gentle, loving man and proud father, a champion for human rights as well as gay rights and a feminist, which most people don’t realise. I cried at the end, not so much at what Kurt did (which is obviously well known) but more about the way he touched so many lives in so many positive ways.

Żadna książka tak bardzo mnie nie wypruła emocjonalnie. Zakładam, że to dlatego, bo to biografia człowieka, który inspiruje i którego chciałabym znać, a mogę go poznać tylko dzięki wspomnieniom zapisanym i pozostawionym w jego muzyce i słowie udokumentowanym jego własnym i jego bliskich. Zawsze czytam ją z długimi przerwami, ponieważ za każdym razem trafia we mnie głęboko i potrzebuje sporo czasu, żeby przeżyć dany fragment i wrócić do książki. Jedna z moich ulubionych książek, chociaż często o tym zapominam i wiem, że będę wracać do niej jeszcze mnóstwo razy.