It’s hard to believe it’s been eight years since we heard the tragic news of Chris Cornell‘s untimely death. The singer for Seattle-based band Soundgarden hanged himself on May 18, 2017. The incredibly talented bluesy rock singer with a phenomenal voice was found dead early that Tuesday morning in his hotel room. Diehard Soundgarden fans and rock fans alike were blindsided by the news.
Chris Cornell’s Singing Career
Born in 1964, Chris Cornell always loved music. A shy kid, and often a loner, he found peace in listening to music. Chris’s first vocal performance was of the song “One Tin Soldier” at his elementary school. Growing up, he took guitar, drum, and piano lessons and had a penchant for rock, soul, and blues music.
Throughout his teenage years, Chris Cornell had bouts of depression and he battled anxiety. He later said of that time that music was a calming device; a form of therapy. Chris worked some odd jobs, including fishmongering and being a chef at a Seattle-based restaurant.
During the early 1980s Chris Cornell was vocalist of a cover band called The Shemps. This is where Chris met bassist Hiro Yamamoto, which eventually led him to become friends with Hiro and guitarist Kim Thayil. The three jammed with the talented Chris Cornell pulling double duty on vocals and on drums. Eventually, drummer Scott Sundquist was recruited, and Soundgarden was born.
Chris Cornell and Soundgarden’s Start
Soundgarden was considered one of the big four influencing bands in the grunge genre. The other three were Alice In Chains, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam. To understand the grunge genre better, it was born out of the death of another lead singer, Andrew Wood. Andrew Wood was the vocalist of Seattle band Mother Love Bone.
Heavily affected by Wood’s death, Chris Cornell and Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam formed the band, Temple of the Dog. Temple of the Dog had several big hits in the 90s, and was responsible for turning rock music fans into grunge appreciators.
Soundgarden eventually changed bassists, as Hiro Yamamoto left and was replaced by Ben Shepherd. Scott Sundquist left, to be replaced by drummer Matt Cameron. Soundgarden stayed together from 1984 until 1997, seeing a rise in popularity after 1994‘s release of ‘Superunknown. Hits like “Spoonman,” “Black Hole Sun,” and the semi-autobiographical song of Chris’s, “Fell on Black Days” were gigantic hits, bringing the band into the limelight.
Chris Cornell and Audioslave
Very unfortunately, touring took its wear and tear on Soundgarden, and the band parted ways. Chris Cornell then joined a supergroup with Tom Morello, Timmy Commerford, and Brad Wilk. Morello, Commerford, and Wilk were all members of Rage Against The Machine. RATM’s former controversial lead singer, Zack de la Rocha had been engaged in other projects, leaving the three remaining RATM members without a vocalist.
Audioslave had big hits, which included “Like a Stone,” “I Am the Highway,” and “Show Me How to Live,” all with Chris Cornell‘s signature soulful vocal style gracing the intricately moody melodies. Audioslave stayed together roughly six years producing a large amount of music in a relatively short time. Eventually, the group parted ways in 2007 with Chris Cornell stating he was going to do some solo work.
Chris Cornell Reunites with Soundgarden
It was decidedly music to the ears of Soundgarden fans when the reunion of Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, Ben Shepherd, and Matt Cameron was announced in 2010. The band went to work producing an album, which came out in 2012. The album entitled King Animal produced a few hits. Additionally, Soundgarden recorded ‘Live to Rise.,’ which was used in the 2012 film The Avengers. The band enjoyed a good amount of commercial success and was touring across North America.
Chris Cornell’s Untimely Passing
Loyal Chris Cornell fans may remember exactly where they were when they heard the news on May 18, 2017. It was a heartbreaking time to learn of his death in Michigan. The band had played the previous night at Fox Theatre in Detroit.
Discovered by his bodyguard and a hotel worker, Chris’s passing waited heavily upon the music industry. A true talent was lost on that fateful day in May. Soundgarden said it was unlikely they would go on in the same form without Chris Cornell. At one point they had jammed with soulful Seattle based singer, Shaina Shepherd, but there are no plans to reunite in any form.
To Wrap Up
The music world lost an amazing singer that day. Chris Cornell’s haunting voice, captivating songwriting, and stage presence was loved by many. He has influenced many singers to include Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, Scott Stapp from Creed, Josh Kiszka, the singer for Greta Van Fleet, and Victor Ritchie, the singer for Any Given Sin.
If you are wanting to listen to Soundgarden, or hear Chris Cornell‘s voice, there are plenty of songs. Hopefully Soundgarden’s surviving members will be able to gain access to previously recorded music and release it someday. For now, we have a vast music collection to listen to from this talented singer.
