Chris Cornell Artistfacts

Chris Cornell song list

Chris Cornell Artistfacts

July 20, 1964 - May 18, 2017
While most famous musicians associated with Seattle music moved there to get in on the action, Chris Cornell was born in Seattle, which put him in perfect position for the popular music scene that sprung up there in the '80s. He attended Christ the King elementary school and Shorewood High School in Seattle. Before becoming a musician, he worked at a seafood wholesaler and later as a sous chef at place called Ray's Boathouse.
Cornell formed Soundgarden with guitarist Kim Thayil and bassist Hiro Yamamoto in 1984. Cornell played drums in the band but Matt Cameron from Skin Yard became the band's permanent drummer in 1986. Cameron would later join Pearl Jam.
He was good friends and a former roommate of Andrew Wood, who was lead singer of the Seattle band Mother Love Bone. On March 16, 1990, Wood overdosed on heroin and was kept alive on life support, where Cornell saw him before he was allowed to die on March 19. It was a defining moment for Cornell, who was enjoying life in a successful band amid a supportive, vibrant music scene in his hometown. "Andy was kind of like this beam of light above it all," said Cornell. "To see him hooked up to machines, that was, I think, the death of the innocence of the scene."
Chris Cornell released his first solo album Euphoria Morning through Interscope Records in 1999. The album didn't do as well as Soundgarden's albums but still managed to sell 75,000 copies in its first week of release.
While recording his second solo album, Chris Cornell was involved in a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles, where he was rear-ended by a truck and flew 20 feet in the air. He suffered severe cuts and bruises but continued recording his album later that day.
He covered Michael Jackson's song "Billie Jean" on his second album Carry On. American Idol contestant David Cook later performed Cornell's version of the song on the popular reality show.
Cornell wrote and recorded the song "You Know My Name" for the James Bond movie Casino Royale in 2006. The song played over the opening credits of the movie but did not appear on the soundtrack. Cornell released the song as a bonus track on his second album Carry On in 2007.
In 2011, Chris Cornell released an acoustic solo album called Songbook. The record features Cornell performing a mix of Soundgarden, solo, and cover songs in a live setting. Two notable covers on the record are "Thank You" by Led Zeppelin and "Imagine" by John Lennon.
Chris Cornell was found dead in a hotel room at the MGM Grand Detroit hotel on May 18, 2017 shortly after playing a concert with Soundgarden at the city's Fox Theatre. The Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office said that Cornell died as a result of a "suicide by hanging."

Comments: 2

Cornellean from FloridaChris Cornell was an exceptional person and musical genius. He wrote poetry, added beautiful melody and vocals that could shift like the sand. Musical dna. He put his heart and soul in it all, especially live. Chris was intelligent, humble, kind and always aware. His awareness shows in his lyrics. He was a non "rock star" man and very grounded.
I'm a 70s rock hippie/chick with eclectic taste in music. I love Soundgarden, Temple of The Dog and Audioslave but Chris' acoustic gigs and music really get to me. Live music is my oxygen. Higher Truth has incredible songs. Just love the production. Considering it was recorded only Chris and Brendan O'Brien makes it more incredible. "Murder Of Blue Skies" is so beautiful and the way it grows musically is perfect. "Through The Window" gave me goosebumps the first time I heard it. The story sounds like prose. Sometimes I'm so blown away by lyrics he writes and his beautiful mind that turned them into music.
Music has been my everything since I was 6. Piano at 8, drums at 12 and ended up singing. I loved it. I was born July 20, but a few years earlier. He did an interview about men walking on the moon that day. My Dad took me outside to show me how special it was.I'm heartbroken he's no longer with us and so grateful for his music and live videos.
Paula from Nashville, TnWhat an amazing man and one of the most audacious voices in industry!! Truly a genius and extremely humble. I personally loved the album Scream, I listen to it every day. I listen to his music every day and always will. It's been 2 years since we lost him, it hurts just as much now as it did when he first left us. I hope he sings from the heavens, with Chester, Andrew and Layne!! We will hear his voice no matter how far away he is. HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Fallin'Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys got a huge break when Oprah had her perform her debut single "Fallin'" on her show.

I Won't Back DownTom Petty

"I Won't Back Down" is a very personal song for Tom Petty. "I thought it wasn't that good because it was so naked," he said.

Gimme Three StepsLynyrd Skynyrd

Ronnie Van Zant wrote the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic "Gimme Three Steps" after making the mistake of dancing with a girl whose boyfriend was in the bar and probably had a gun. He asked for a 3-step head start.

Take My Breath AwayBerlin

"Take My Breath Away" from Top Gun was a huge hit for Berlin, but lead singer Terri Nunn was the only band member to perform on it. This caused friction that broke up the group a year later.

How To Save A LifeThe Fray

"How To Save A Life" by The Fray was inspired by a teenager lead singer Isaac Slade mentored at a camp for troubled youth in Colorado.

Party DollBuddy Knox & the Rhythm Orchids

The rockabilly sound was big in the late 1950s, when Buddy Holly was popular. One of the biggest hits in that genre was the #1 "Party Doll" by Buddy Knox, which used a cardboard box filled with cotton as the drums.