September 28, 2017
Roberta
I was a 15 years old girl living in a tiny town in Italy when I discovered Soundgarden. With their music and all the other Seattle grunge bands I went through difficult times as a teen. I have struggled with depression since then but the music was always with me in the most sad and difficult momemts. I remembered listening to superunknown and badmotorfinger for hours and days and years have passed and I have never stopped listening to them. Chris’s voice now makes me cry, it’s just so painful to hear and I used to loved that voice. The live shows were always amazing: I followed Chris through the years with Audioslave and his solo albums. I always thought he will always be around. I feel so sorry I gave him for granted. When I heard he passed away I was so shocked, I still can’t believe I am never gonna see him again. His music and words gave me so much, he meant so much to me that words aren’t enough.
Since this tragedy happened I keep thinking about his family. I would like to be able to do something to take your pain away and bring him back for you Vicky, and your kids especially. I will always keep him in my heart. It’s now a constant reminder to never give anybody and anything for granted. I send you all my love. I hope time will help you heal. I hope to be able to restart listening to his voice at some point without crying. Thank you Chris, thank you, thank you, thank you!! You kept me alive… I wish you would have known how much you meant to me..
The picture was taken in Paris may 2012 (Soundgarden back together) I was in the front row. I was so happy that day.
Roberta
Dory
Thank you for allowing Chris’s fans to write our tribute to him. I’m a fan and never met him, although I did see him perform live several times, both with Soundgarden and solo. It’s hard for me to put into words what Chris’s music did, does and will always mean to me. I can only describe it by saying that his music moves me. It went beyond the music though. He as a person was someone who touched my life despite never meeting him. There was just something about him that drew me in. Chris was an amazing man, musician, philanthropist, and most of all he seems to have been an amazing family man who loved his wife and children beyond words.
When I heard of his passing early that morning, I felt as if I had lost a very important person in my life. There’s the music of course and knowing that I’ll never hear new material and will never see him perform again. On a deeper level, how he died was an arrow through my heart. I too am the daughter of someone who took their life. I know how his children feel and what they are going through. My heart goes out to all three of his children, as well as his wife Vicky. I’m a big believer in that everything happens for a reason…good, bad or ugly. While I struggle to understand why, I’m grateful that Chris was here for as long as he was and for his gift of music to me, and I do truly think it’s a gift. His music has helped heal me through trying times. His music has given me joy during good times. For that I’m forever grateful.
You are missed by so many Chris, especially your loving family. I pray that you are finally at peace and I know that you are watching over your family. Prayers to Vicky, Lily, Toni and C, and to all of his family and friends.
Dory
Cristina
I grew up in a really rough house where love was known but not exactly seen, heard of, or even spoken, rather anger, tears, resentment, and fear were mostlt present. I frequently felt afraid or as though I had done something wrong when I had not, I was just present. I experienced quite a few events from a very early age that terrify me even more almost to reflect on as an adult who understands them better now. Chris’s voice would heal me starting long before age 10.
I would listen to Hunger Strike then Say Hello To Heaven and try to sing along to let out fear and hurt. I remember his voice being so full of emotion while making the words seem effortless to him and he seemed like an angel on Earth to me from a very young age. Moving to my teen years where all I wanted was to be out of my house and away from the fear and angst and Audioslave and Soundgarden were part of my life. That voice. I remember, with goosebumps, like it was yesterday belting out Burden In My Hand and Cochise with Chris to keep myself grounded. Fast forwarding to my early 30s and I found myself in an emotionally and mentally abusive marriage that was cold and my ex husband chose alcohol over his wife and beautiful son and checked out on us in every way a man could check out on his family. My heart was broken, not only for myself, but for my son. I spent many days and nights listening to Chris in my mix of music that would heal my consistently wounded soul. I’d reflect on times where he helped pull me through and knew he could again.
After Chris dropped his Higher Truth album, I was traveling for business, working 85 hour weeks in an intense environment that would (and did) break most others as I was learning to be not just a mother but a single mother trying to keep the negative impacts away from my beautiful, innocent son. I was going through a divorce and battling with lawyers and had many friends turn their backs on me in the divorce. I just wanted to be with my son who deserved everything his dad didn’t give him, have my friends to be there and also be there foe them, and to be peaceful. It was a battle I didn’t know if I would win but fought every single day with everything I had in me. Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart and Worried Moon were played a million times over through tears and sleepless nights along with Scream (very appropriate,) the ones mentioned above, and many others. The lyrics of his songs and his voice helped me link my life together and my choices and things I settled for thinking it was all I deserved. I came out of it all stronger and more self-aware.
Over two decades later and Chris’s voice still saves me and I remember how much hope it would give me starting from a time I was young and vulnerable and just hoped someone would stand up for me and where nobody did, somehow Chris did. He made me feel less helpless and there are nights where I don’t know if I would have lasted through them if it had not been for his lyrics and voice of salvation. I have tears as I write this because I wish I could have done something, anything to help him like he helped me and so many others in his beautiful existence.
I saw his personal impact to me and the way his passing brought together so many others that may have never come together without it. He is a classic depiction of a Christ figure and I always admired his love for his family and the immense amount of love he gave on this Earth. He truly was bearing loads that I think he always knew and felt as an empath. There’s so much beauty yet so much pain in this world and Chris truly contributed so much beauty to so many lives I’m glad I existed on this Earth at the same time. He and his family are proof good people still exist and that’s what we need in this life.
Thank you, Chris, from the bottom of my heart.
Cristina
Jeffrey Miller
Over the past winter I forced myself to listen to some new bands because everyone else I listened to was growing old. So I got quite into Soundgarden and U2. I silently thought to myself “these are two bands I’ll be able to see for the next 20 years when everyone else passes”. Sadly this will not happen, but I was able to see Chris and Soundgarden once in April. It was one of Chris’ last shows and I was third row center in front of him. I can still feel the goosebumps that rose on my arm when I heard the opening for spoonman. After that night I feel deeply in love with Soundgarden, a love and respect that only Springsteen and Soundgarden can get from me. Not to sound like every angsty teen, but I struggle with depression. So when I first heard “The Day I Tries To Live” and “Fell on Black Days” I was totally blown away. The lyrics struck a chord with me and hit me deep inside. And since April 30th, the day after the show, my Soundgarden “A sides” cd has stayed in my CD player. I was shocked to hear the news 19 days later about Chris. I was quite distraught, I had the AP calculus exam that day and in every free response section I wrote out “RIP Chris Cornell”. I am so sorry for Chris’ family and friends, as I cannot imagine the pain. Anything I can do, please let me know.
– Jeffrey
September 27, 2017
Maggie Bandy
My family and I feel a great loss at Chris’s passing. Being a Seattle family, we feel like we lost one of our own sons. He had an incredible voice that touched our souls at a very deep level. I pray that Chris’s family can get through these difficult times. Toni, keep singing, you have your Dad’s gifted voice. Christopher, keep playing the guitar, he hears you both. Vicky never stop believing in knowing how much he loved you all. I hope my words help you all through these difficult times. I have always believed that are departed loved ones are watching over us until we reunite with them again. Never lose hope. Keep loving each other. May God Bless you all.
Maggie Bandy
Karen Brown
I started listening to Soundgarden in 1994, after Kurt Cobain’s death. Nirvana was my favorite band. I was in love with Kurt and grunge. I was in 9th grade, 14 yrs old and devastated by his death. The first time I heard Black Hole Sun I thought, wow I guess music will still be okay without Kurt. The voice of Chris was like no other and will never be duplicated. So many levels and notes he could hit. His music gave me goose bumps. His beautiful hair, and a face carved by angels. The song Hunger Strike by Temple of the Dog is one of my favorite songs of all time. Every single time I listen to it I get chills. The lyrics, his voice and pure passion. It is the only song I never skip on my phone.
I like many others could not believe he news I heard that day. I still don’t believe he did it! No way. He loved his wife and children way too much. I will never accept it and neither will any of his fans. I remember the picture his wife shared on Facebook of them at a hotel in Paris I think. She was sitting next to a friend on the floor. He was in a chair just gazing at her. The way he looked at her, such love and compassion. He would never hurt her or his children. I will miss you every single day Chris. I will always pray for you and your family. Thank you for sharing your talent with the world. Your music will live on through us all.
Karen
John Gonzalez
It was March 1990, the first day of spring break for us students at Illinois State University in Normal, IL. 2 friends and I were headed to the Smokey Mountains for a few days of backpacking, but the first day of our trip was going to be really cool. We were going to see Faith No More and Soundgarden in Champaign, IL, at a little venue called Mabel’s. I believe Voivod was the headliner in this 3 band tour.
Now, at the time, FNM was my favorite band, followed closely by Soundgarden, whom I had only recently discovered. I had the cassette for Louder Than Love for just a few months but it was like nothing I had ever heard before… I was absolutely hooked on this powerful and creative band from Seattle. So this was going to be a special show, featuring two of the most exciting bands for me at the time.
Little did I know just how special it would be…
We got to the venue in the afternoon, a few hours before the show. As we walked around town checking out shops, just milling around, one of my friends saw a few people walking down the sidewalk a couple blocks up and remarked jokingly that it looked like some of the members of FNM. Turned out that it was Mike Patton, Roddy Bottum, and Billy Gould! We hesitantly approached and started talking with them. Keeping this part of the story short (since this is a Chris Cornell tribute), they were very cool, genuine guys. We hung out with them for over an hour, just chatting and walking around.
The guys from FNM had to leave to do a sound check, and my friends and I were making our way down the other side of the block from the venue. We walked into a tobacco store and 2 of us for some reason thought it would be cool to buy pipes. As we walked out of the shop, I spotted someone who looked familiar. He’s crossing the street, coming our way, and my friend blurts out, “that’s Chris Cornell!” I can see that Chris saw us and kind of slowed down, probably off-put by us ogling, slack-jawed at the sight of one of the most talented musicians of our time.
We made a bee-line towards him, greeting him and asking if we could take a couple pictures. He was very polite and accommodating but I could tell he wasn’t as excited to see us as we were him. Looking at the photos, you can probably see why. 🙂 Those are the pipes in our hands, me trying to look as dorky as possible. After the pics I asked him how he was doing, noting that he didn’t look well. He said that he was sick with what he thought was the flu. We remarked that it sucked that he had to perform like that, gave him a few words of encouragement, and let him go on his way. I shook his hand and thanked him for his time. He seemed genuinely kind and appreciative of his fans
You would have never guessed he was sick during the show. The band was amazing and he had so much energy! I remember being just dumbfounded at his voice live. I’ve been to many, many, concerts over the years, but I’ve always said this was the best. Even without meeting Chris it would have probably been at the top of my list of musical experiences.
We had tickets to see Soundgarden this year in Denver– as it turned out, just a few days after Chris died. I can’t express how hard his death hit me. I had been looking forward to this show more than just about anything I can remember. It would have been only my 2nd Soundgarden concert, although Chris’ work throughout the years has been ever-present in my life.
I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to meet the man who gave the world so much beauty and art. Through his music, I almost feel like I knew him. Although his loss has been traumatic for me, I take comfort that his work will always be an important part of my life.
John
Marilee Polidoro
Inevitably there comes a time when our children become teenagers. Fighting, arguments, running away……there seems like all hope is lost in ever communicating again.
That’s how it was with my daughter and me in the 90s. We had nothing at all in common to speak about. Until Chris Cornell.
My daughter introduced me to his music from Soundgarden and TOTD, and I was hooked.
Together we attended no less than 6 concerts of Chris’s, and with his help, unbeknownst to him, we were able to come back together not just as a parent and a child, but as friends.
Chris’s music touched me deeply, and his tragic passing affects me every day.
My heart breaks for his family; not knowing or understanding why his life ended the way it did.
He is still with you and I believe he is watching over you all.
My deepest and sincere condolences for your family VC.
– Marilee
September 22, 2017
Paola
They are said to be born angelic people with a light so special that leave you indelible traces in your life, in any or all stages of your history, that is your mission and your legacy, that person will be you forever.
In my euphoric times, as your company in my worst moments and in those black days, always you, with just words so that I got up and continue, my eternal friend and co-pilot on the route in my mornings, afternoons and on those night trips in solitude.
I will never forget on December 14, 2016 in our great Teatro Colón, the first and only time I saw you and was enough to know that so many years of admiration, respect and love were not in vain, on the contrary it increased even more and will last For the rest of my life, like my tattoo.
From Argentina my strong embrace to Vicky, Lily, Toni and Chris, in you remains the reflection of Chris and in our hearts always.
Huge kisses
Paola
Se dicen que nacen personas angeladas con una luz tan especial que te dejan huellas inborrables en tu vida, en cualquier o en todas las etapas de tu historia, esa es su misión y su legado, esa persona serás tú por siempre.
En mis epocas de euforia, como tú compañía en mis peores momentos y en esos dias negros,siempre tu, con las palabras justas para que me levanté y siga, mi eterno amigo y copiloto en la ruta en mis mañanas, tardes y en esos viajes nocturnos en soledad..
Jamás olvidare el 14 de Diciembre del 2016 en nuestro gran Teatro Colón, la primera y única vez que te vi y fue suficiente para saber que tantos años de admiración, respeto y amor no fueron en vano, por el contrario se acrecento aún más y perdurará por el resto de mi vida, como mi tatuaje
Desde Argentina mi fuerte abrazo a Vicky, Lily, Toni y Chris, en ustedes permanece el reflejo de Chris y en nuestro corazones siempre.
Besos enormes
Paola
Laura Owens
I am a girl from Atlanta, Georgia. I saw Chris Cornell at the Fox Theatre on his last tour with Soundgarden. While I was there, I met a guy named William, who told me about how he met Chris before the show and got his autograph on his guitar. I was in awe, and slightly jealous. We talked and jammed to The Pretty Reckless for a while, and when Chris came out to sing Incessant Mace, we were so hyped! We loved hearing him sing Outshined as well, especially since half of the audience was drunk-singing along with it (which was hilarious). Then, Chris started singing Burden In My Hand. The second he hit the first note, William reached for my hand and took it. I’ll never forget the smile he gave me when he did. We held hands for the rest of the concert, letting Chris’ voice wash over us like rays of sunshine on a warm summer morning. William and I are still together. We love each other more and more everyday.
Chris’ death was devastating to us, because he was someone who we both truly admired for his talent and his attitude towards everything. He has done so much for so many people in the world. He was a rose in a garden full of thorns, a voice in a silent crowd, and a ray of light in darkness.
Vicky, you are a beautiful and strong woman. Keep going. Lillian and Toni, I hope you both grow up to be like your father. I’m not talking about following his exact footsteps in the music industry, I’m talking about being kind, being true to yourself, and working hard for what you want in life. You are both capable of amazing things. Don’t ever try to impress anyone or conform to anyone’s standards. Screw the media! Do what you believe is right!
I can’t possibly speak for every fan of Chris Cornell, but I think it’s safe to say that we all miss him very much.
As for William and I, we only have this to say: Thank you Chris, for everything. We love you.
Laura
