Charles R. Cross

Charles R. Cross was an American music journalist, author, and editor known for his close association with the Seattle music scene. Best known for his biographies of rock legends Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix, Cross also played a pivotal role in documenting the rise of grunge music during his time as editor of The Rocket, a Seattle bi-weekly magazine. His biography of Kurt Cobain, Heavier Than Heaven (2001), won the ASCAP Award for Outstanding Musical Biography in 2002.

Cross developed an early interest in music journalism that would shape his career. In the mid-1980s, he became editor of The Rocket, where he chronicled the rise of iconic Seattle bands such as Nirvana, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie said on social media, "It's impossible to imagine the music or community of Seattle in the 80s and 90s without Charles R. Cross. His tenure at The Rocket lasted from 1986 to 2000 when the magazine became a vital resource for anyone involved in the local music scene.

Cross was not only passionate about grunge but also had a deep admiration for Bruce Springsteen. He founded Backstreets Magazine, a publication dedicated to Springsteen's work, which received recognition from the artist himself. During a concert in Pittsburgh, Springsteen paid tribute to Cross, saying "His help in communicating between our band and our fans will be sorely missed", before performing his song "Backstreets".

His biographical works extended beyond the Seattle grunge scene. Heavier Than Heaven, his biography of Kurt Cobain, was praised for its depth, drawing on over 400 interviews and Cobain's journals.

Robert Hilburn of the Los Angeles Times hailed it as "one of the most moving and revealing books ever written about a rock star". In 2005, Cross published Room Full of Mirrors: A Biography of Jimi Hendrix, which Vibe magazine called one of the best music books ever written. While researching Hendrix's life, Cross discovered the lost grave of Hendrix's mother, Lucille Jeter Hendrix.

In addition to his biographical works, Cross co-authored Kicking & Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul, and Rock & Roll (2012) with Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart.

Charles R. Cross died on 9 August 2024 at 67 in Shoreline, Washington.

Photo credit: Charles R. Cross Facebook