Blown Tire Likely Cause of Travis Barker, DJ AM Jet Crash

A blown tire is being investigated as the possible cause for the jet crash that killed four people and seriously injured DJ AM and former blink-182 drummer Travis Barker this weekend in South Carolina. A cockpit recording indicates that the crew thought a tire blew while taking off, after which attempts to abort take-off failed. The crash took the lives of the pilot and co-pilot along with Barker's assistant and bodyguard. According to a witness, AM and Barker were discovered "in the street near the fiery wreck as they frantically tried to douse their burning clothes." Officials are waiting to talk to the two musicians before assessing the cause of crash. Meanwhile, the pair were visited in a Georgia hospital yesterday by Jermaine Dupri, Mandi Moore and Barker's ex-wife Shanna Moakler, who said in a statement, "There are not enough words to express how thankful we are for the outpouring of love and support we have received during this very difficult time. We can only ask for prayers as we heal and mourn the loss of our dear friends who we considered part of our family. Our lives will be changed forever."

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Song Stories

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

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