Tony Hawk not only saw Nirvana live at their peak… but his last memory of Kurt Cobain still haunts him to this day.
And now, years later, Hawk’s connection to Cobain’s legacy has taken on an even deeper meaning—one that involves family, love, and a grandson that Kurt never got to meet.
Tony Hawk recently shared an emotional post on Instagram, reminiscing about a night that changed him forever—October 20, 1991. The night he saw Nirvana live in Houston, Texas.
At the time, Nirvana was on the verge of superstardom. Their album Nevermind had just dropped a month prior, and Smells Like Teen Spirit was already becoming the anthem of a generation.
But for Hawk, that night wasn’t just another concert—it was a transformative experience. He described it as ‘rare and powerful,’ something that made the entire world feel different after it ended.
Hawk wrote: “Went straight from an S.U.A.S. Shut Up And Skate event, at Houston Skatepark to this concert in 1991. It was as transformative as live music can possibly be; we all experienced something rare and powerful that night. The world would never be the same.
He continued “I wish Kurt were here so he could see the incredible woman his daughter has become; meet her caring, devoted husband; and hold our wondrous grandchild.”
Three years later, in 1994, the world was shocked by Cobain’s tragic passing. Fast forward to today, and Tony Hawk’s connection to Kurt Cobain has taken on a whole new meaning—because his son, Riley Hawk, is married to Cobain’s daughter, Frances Bean Cobain.
Riley and Frances tied the knot in a private Los Angeles ceremony in 2023, with none other than R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe—Frances’ godfather—officiating.
And just recently, the couple welcomed their first child into the world—Ronin Walker Cobain Hawk. Tony Hawk, now a grandfather, shared his bittersweet feelings, saying he wishes Kurt could be here to see how incredible Frances has become, to meet Riley, and to hold their baby grandson.
