Not long after playing a live show with Soundgarden on May 17, 2017 , Chris Cornell was found dead at the age of 52 on the floor of his bathroom at the MGM Grand Hotel Detroit after his wife called a family friend and asked someone to check in on the singer.
Cornell founded the legendary grunge band Soundgarden in 1984 with lead guitarist Kim Thayil and bassist Hiro Yamamoto. After that band broke up in the late 90’s, he helped form the supergroup Audioslave with Rage Against The Machine members Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk in 2001. Cornell was constantly creating beautiful music, whether it was a solo record, or even when Soundgarden reunited a couple years ago for a new album. He was a rock icon and one of the few frontmen to leave the grunge scene unscathed, but that all appears to have finally caught up with him as his death is currently being investigated as a potential suicide.
The singer battled with drugs and alcohol addiction, constantly checking into various rehab facilities over the years, but his passing is still an immense shock. Hell – he even played a concert the night he died, tweeting how it was great to be back in Rock City with “no more bullshit”.
I grew up on Soundgarden and Cornell to me, was easily one of the top 5 rock vocalists of all time. Ever. I adored everything he did and I’m incredibly saddened that I’ll never have the chance to see the man perform live now. I never had that opportunity so if any of you have – cherish those memories knowing you saw a legend in person.
My Top 5 Cornell Songs
5. The Day I Tried to Live
4. Outshined
3. Doesn’t Remind Me
2. Ty Cobb
1. Black Hole Sun
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
Rest …Peace pic.twitter.com/YcN7QECCo0
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) May 18, 2017