With his death reported in the news today, I thought it might be fitting to discuss our thoughts on his music. What are some of your favorite songs or albums? Favorite concerts or moments? Chris Cornell (born Christopher John Boyle; July 20, 1964 – May 17, 2017) was an American musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist, primary songwriter and rhythm guitarist for Seattle rock band Soundgarden and as lead vocalist and songwriter for the group Audioslave. He was also known for his numerous solo works and soundtrack contributions since 1991, and as founder and frontman for Temple of the Dog, the one-off tribute band dedicated to his late friend Andrew Wood. Cornell was known for his role as one of the architects of the 1990s grunge movement, for his extensive catalog as a songwriter and for his near four octave vocal range as well as his powerful vocal belting technique. He released four solo studio albums, Euphoria Morning (1999), Carry On (2007), Scream (2009), Higher Truth (2015) and the live album Songbook (2011). Cornell received a Golden Globe Award nomination for his song "The Keeper" which appeared in the film Machine Gun Preacher and co-wrote and performed the theme song to the James Bond film Casino Royale (2006), "You Know My Name". He was voted "Rock's Greatest Singer" by readers of Guitar World, ranked 4th in the list of "Heavy Metal's All-Time Top 100 Vocalists" by Hit Parader, 9th in the list of "Best Lead Singers of All Time" by Rolling Stone, and 12th in MTV's "22 Greatest Voices in Music".
There are way too many to list. Black Hole Sun was a huge part of growing up in the 90s, and his range was absurd. His role in Temple of the Dog, his formation of Audioslave... even in his solo work there was just this inimitable sound that was very clearly Cornell. He's someone I looked up to vocally and I am going to be fucked up for the rest of the week because of this news. I'm going to put on Euphoria Morning and Badmotorfinger now. RIP.
I got to see him perform when he played support for the LP show I attended in 2007. I looked forward to hearing him deliver "Jesus Christ Pose" live and he didn't disappoint
The dude was so immensely talented. He had one hell of a voice. R.I.P. Always been one of my favorites of his.
Great artist... I thoroughly enjoyed his music with Soundgarden. Haven't listened to his other bands or projects but will do so sometime. I especially love his covers of other people's songs. He'll be missed.
He was an outstanding singer and musician. I've never been a die-hard fan, but I'd lie if I said I didn't enjoy quite a few Soundgarden and Audioslave songs. Maybe I have to check out more of his music. RIP Another great musician gone
The stuff he did vocally on the Temple of the Dog record is just astonishingly good. This is weird for me because I've actually been working with a group of musicians on doing a monthly 90s alternative tribute show thing where we play a classic album from that era cover-to-cover...the first album we're planning on doing is Badmotorfinger. I've been learning all the different guitar tunings and arrangements on that record for the past several weeks. I also just happened to pick up a copy of the Temple of the Dog album on vinyl on Tuesday. WTF. I can't believe he's gone...
Chester reflecting... "Dear Chris, I dreamt about the Beatles last night. I woke up with Rocky Raccoon playing in my head and a concerned look on my wife’s face. She told me my friend has just passed away. Thoughts of you flooded my mind and I wept. I’m still weeping, with sadness, as well as gratitude for having shared some very special moments with you and your beautiful family. You have inspired me in many ways you could never have known. Your talent was pure and unrivaled. Your voice was joy and pain, anger and forgiveness, love and heartache all wrapped up into one. I suppose that’s what we all are. You helped me understand that. I just watched a video of you singing ‘ A day in the life ‘ by the Beatles and thought of my dream. I’d like to think you were saying goodbye in your own way. I can’t imagine a world without you in it. I pray you find peace in the next life. I send my love to your wife and children, friends and family. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life. With all of my love. Your friend, Chester Bennington"
Some of my favorite tracks that Chris was a part of are: Audioslave - Out Of Exile Chris Cornell - The Keeper Chris Cornell - Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun Out Of Exile is such a good song, IMO, I have always loved that song and it's always stuck with me, despite coming out in 2005. Black Hole Sun is just a classic song that everyone loves, great song. The other two are a bit lesser known, but amazing songs... The Keeper is probably my favorite. I absolutely love the lyrics and the way Chris sings in that song, it's always been an emotional song for me, it's beautiful. Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart is a song that came out in 2015 but I just got into sometime last year. It's an awesome song, a folky type of track, but Chris delivers on it and it has a nice melody. Love it. R.I.P. Chris, you'll be missed by many.
I think it was a very good moment when Chester sang Hallelujah, a really heartwarming, meaningful and sad performance at the same time and also the band having dedicated One More Light to Chris Cornell after he passed away was just the best song to remember him. I only listened to Black Hole Sun from Soundgarden, but that´s a very good song.