Charles Cross, Author of Books on Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix, Dies at 67


Charles Cross, the celebrated music writer who penned books on Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix, and editor of influential Seattle magazine The Rocket, died Friday, Aug. 9.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“We are sorry to share that Charles Cross has passed,” reads a statement from his family. “He died peacefully of natural causes in his sleep on August 9th, 2024. We are all grief-stricken and trying to get through this difficult process of dealing with the next steps.”

Cross wrote nine books including three New York Times bestsellers Heavier Than Heaven: The Biography of Kurt Cobain, which won the 2002 ASCAP Award for outstanding biography. Three years later, Cross published his 2005 bestselling Hendrix biography Room Full of Mirrors, lauded by Vibe magazine as one of the best-ever books on music.

His works include the 2012 book with Ann and Nancy Wilson of Rock And Roll Hall of Famers Heart, Kicking & Dreaming, also a Times bestseller.

A prolific writer for magazines, Cross was founding editor of Backstreets, the Bruce Springsteen magazine, “plus a couple other short-lived leftist Northwest magazines,” he quips in his biog.

Cross climbed the ranks in the ‘80s, becoming a senior editor of The Rocket in 1982, the editor in 1986, and the publisher in the same year.

The late author’s other published works include Cobain Unseen; Here We Are Now: The Lasting Impact of Kurt Cobain; Backstreets: Springsteen The Man and His Music; Led Zeppelin: Heaven and Hell; Led Zeppelin: Shadows Taller Than Our Souls; and Nirvana: Nevermind.



  • Related Posts

    Babyshambles Guitarist Dies at 46
    • June 21, 2025

    Patrick Walden, former guitarist for the British rock band Babyshambles, has died at the age of 46. The band, fronted by Pete Doherty, announced Walden’s passing in a social media…

    Continue reading
    How It Was Saved After Fest Canceled
    • June 20, 2025

    On June 13, the rain was coming down on the farm in Manchester, Tenn., where Bonnaroo is held — and things weren’t looking great for the 2025 edition of the…

    Continue reading

    Random News

    The Netherlands returns 119 stolen sculptures to Nigeria | Arts and Culture News

    • By gonews
    • June 21, 2025
    • 0 views
    The Netherlands returns 119 stolen sculptures to Nigeria | Arts and Culture News

    European leaders worry they’re too reliant on U.S. tech

    • By gonews
    • June 21, 2025
    • 0 views
    European leaders worry they’re too reliant on U.S. tech

    2025-26 Calgary Flames Schedule; Printable, PDF Format

    • By gonews
    • June 21, 2025
    • 1 views
    2025-26 Calgary Flames Schedule; Printable, PDF Format

    LIVE BLOG: Iran Threatens to Bomb Dimona | Israel Fears Long War | Gaza Hunger Crisis Deepens – Day 624

    • By gonews
    • June 21, 2025
    • 0 views
    LIVE BLOG: Iran Threatens to Bomb Dimona | Israel Fears Long War | Gaza Hunger Crisis Deepens – Day 624