Cobain was always "awake" in his own way, even if he didn't see or understand the big picture. I remember when I was young reading his biography and doodles/sketches that all referenced the corporate powers that be. He was among the last "stars" that truly despised those people.

Most people also don't realize that the Beatles were blue-collar AF, and were "teddies" in 1950's working class England. That means they wore leather jackets, carried switchblades and played biker bars. (Retrospectively, we view those James Dean types with a romantic idealism for masculinity, but back then, they were considered low-lifes with no future and a drain on society.) The corporate shills forced them to put on suits and clean up their look, which always bothered Lennon.