The music world was shaken by the news that Chris Cornell, best known as the frontman of longtime Seattle band, Soundgarden, had taken his own life on May 18, 2017, at 52, following a performance at Detroit’s Fox Theatre. Cornell, considered one of the architects of the grunge movement, was also lead vocalist of the supergroup Audioslave.
Soundgarden were on a Spring 2017 tour through May 27 that included several festivals. When the news arrived, fellow classic rock stars took to social media immediately to express their grief, shock and dismay.
RIP Chris Cornell
Incredibly Talented
Incredibly Young
Incredibly Missed. pic.twitter.com/pKNI4tKiXz— Jimmy Page (@JimmyPage) May 18, 2017
Shocked and saddened by the sudden death of @chriscornell. A great singer, songwriter and the loveliest man. pic.twitter.com/Hwdgst8kmg
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) May 18, 2017
Cornell was born Christopher John Boyle in Seattle on July 20, 1964. In the early ’80s he was a member of a cover band called the Shemps, which also included bassist Hiro Yamamoto and guitarist Kim Thayil. The trio formed Soundgarden in 1984. Matt Cameron was added as drummer in 1986, and in 1990 bassist Ben Shepherd replaced Yamamoto.
Soundgarden became locally popular in the Seattle region and signed to A&M Records in 1988. By the early ’90s, they, along with Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Mudhoney, Alice in Chains and others, were being categorized as leaders of a new hard rock genre, called grunge, that fell someplace between metal and punk in its aggressiveness, a remedy of sorts to the more commercialized direction much rock had taken in the ’80s.
Related: Cornell helped create a rock genre
Cornell, himself, had been very active on Twitter, tweeting late the night before his death from Detroit.
#Detroit finally back to Rock City!!!! @soundgarden #nomorebullshit pic.twitter.com/BqXx9veFoD
— Chris Cornell (@chriscornell) May 18, 2017
SO SO stunned to hear about Chris Cornell! Such a terrible and sad loss! Thinking of his family tonight! RIP
— Dave Navarro (@DaveNavarro) May 18, 2017
Sad 2 hear of Chris Cornell passing..great singer and artist… another blow…RIP
— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) May 18, 2017
RIP Chris Cornell
— Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) May 18, 2017
Very sad news about Chris Cornell today. A sad loss of a great talent to the world, his friends and family. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/BlgxE6cJLH
— Joe Perry (@JoePerry) May 18, 2017
Chris Cornell: INCOMPARABLE Singer; Songwriter; Family Man. ONE OF THE GREATS. Turn this up: https://t.co/2hZJ4tjxkg pic.twitter.com/uKFWAOELeK
— Alice Cooper (@RealAliceCooper) May 18, 2017
Shocked & saddened by the news of Chris Cornell’s passing. RIP. https://t.co/zewHDnsv1N
— Slash (@Slash) May 18, 2017
Chris Cornell was a brilliant vocalist. Incredibly sad news.
— Robbie Robertson (@r0bbier0berts0n) May 18, 2017
Shocking news Chris Cornell passing last night in Detroit. Brilliant artist on so many levels. I am in shock. My condolences to his family.
— Peter Frampton (@peterframpton) May 18, 2017
Sad to hear my friend @chriscornell passed away. A searcher of higher truth has entered the eternal hereafter. Prayers & Love to his family pic.twitter.com/FQDDavq7vc
— Yusuf / Cat Stevens (@YusufCatStevens) May 18, 2017
In a world drowning in the ugly noise & clamour of lies Chris was a beautiful man w/a beautiful voice singing his truth #BlackHoleSun indeed pic.twitter.com/nWhal1V0qv
— Sting (@OfficialSting) May 18, 2017
Soundgarden, Mother Love Bone, Audioslave, solo. What a voice. What a body of work. pic.twitter.com/4Ydnaw83eQ
— Rush (@rushtheband) May 18, 2017
Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson of Heart released statements as well. Ann: “It’s important now to keep thoughts of Chris positive. He is on his way. We loved him well, now wish him well on his journey. He was and is a beautiful soul.”
Nancy: “No one is ever prepared to hear about a death in the family. And today Chris Cornell my brother from my Seattle music family is gone. I thought his voice would forever grace the world of music. Devastating.”
Related: Cornell’s widow, Vicky Karayiannis penned a letter to her late husband
Coincidentally, Legacy Recordings had planned celebration for the 25th anniversary of Cameron Crowe’s groundbreaking romantic comedy, Singles, with the release that May 19, of a newly expanded and remastered edition of the soundtrack. The film was set in Seattle and captured the zeitgeist of an era among twentysomethings and featured music from bands that were relatively obscure at the time.
The 2-CD, 2-LP collection features previously unreleased recordings by Cornell plus rarities such as his 1992 EP Poncier and tracks from the film not included on the album when it was first released in 1992. Other acts on the album include Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Paul Westerberg and Jimi Hendrix.
2 Comments
Chris Cornell 1964 – Forever
One of the most talented singers, writer, musician and just a great human being. R.I.P., my friend. . You are sorely missed…D.