[Editor’s note: In celebration of the holidays, we’re spending the next two Tuesdays by counting down the top 12 Flavorwire features of 2012. This post, at #10, was originally published February 19th.] Tomorrow would have been the 45th birthday of legendary grunge hero Kurt Cobain, who committed suicide at age 27 to the despair of the world at large. Though we know there were many times in his life when he was a happy, goofy guy, he very publicly struggled with depression, addiction, and illness, and when you think of Cobain, you tend to think of a doleful guy barely looking out from behind his matted blond locks. So, to celebrate the good times in Cobain’s life, we’ve collected a series of photographs with family, friends, and bandmates, where the guy just looks really happy. Because that’s how we’d like to remember him. Click through to see Kurt Cobain smile a whole lot, and if we’ve missed your favorite photo, direct us to it in the comments!
Kittens make literally everyone happier. [via]
Waving from William S. Burroughs’s outhouse. [via]
Taking a serious bite out of that pizza. [via]
With his baby girl. [via]
Eye candy. [via]
Hanging out with the fellas. [via]
Goofing off with Frances Bean. [via]
His daughter and a kitten. [via]
Just a few clean cut kids. [via]
Mischievous. [via]
Warm and fuzzy. [via]
Nirvana getting goofy. [via]
In a Hawaiian shirt, no less. [via]
A look of wonder. [via]
Having a grand old time. [via]
Just an average dude. [via]
Adorable. [via]
That hair would put anyone in a good mood. [via]
As a happy 2 year old. [via]
In our all-time favorite t-shirt. [via]
Hamming it up. [via]
Experimenting with electronics. [via]
Looking mighty pleased with himself. [via]
We don’t know what’s happening here, but it looks like a fun time. [via]
Lovin’ NY. [via]
Blanket forts are the best. [via]
Oh, hey. [via]
It’s all in the eyes. Photo by Michael Lavine. [via]
Peace, man. [via]