Tony Hawk Has Special Plans for Kurt Cobain’s Hand-Painted Iron Maiden Skateboard

Tony Hawk is planning to celebrate Kurt Cobain’s birthday on Monday. The Grunge Icon would have turned 56.

In an Instagram post, Hawk wrote that he bought Cobain’s 1985 skateboard at an auction last year. An avid painter — sometimes of classic rock imagery— the deck is decorated with Cobain’s painting of Iron Maiden. It’s an original Jeff Phillips model, a skateboarder who died by suicide in 1993, three months before Cobain ended his life.

“Two icons that had immense influence on their respective fields, both of whom passed away tragically and much too young,” Hawk wrote. “I even tracked down the original owner to understand its provenance. With the incomparable help of @dupedupe, we are hoping to make something good of this acquisition by raising awareness for emotional health, and to help provide resources for those who are struggling mentally. More to come on February 20 (Kurt’s birthday).”

 Cobain’s personal items have been sold over the years.  In 2021, one of his childhood homes in Montesano, Washington, went on sale, and his artwork went to auction. Last spring, the”Smells lIke Teen Spirit”  was sold for $4.5 million.