Words cannot describe the pain and shock that went through me when my mother woke me earlier than usual. Her exact words were, “Chris Cornell died.” I refused to believe it and the only thing I could say was “No.” and “there’s no way.” Not even two weeks before, Soundgarden came to Beale Street Music Fest in Memphis Tennessee and it felt like a dream come true to view that man sing and play his heart out on that stage. Chris is by far my biggest vocal and music inspiration. I feel like I have to listen to his voice at least once a day to get my day going. I just have a playlist of his music on Spotify and I listen to that in the mornings before school. A musician passing has never affected me more than this, and even 3 months later I am still so devastated and confused. It’s still so surreal. He meant so much to me as a musician and as a human being. It was almost as if I knew him personally, it struck me so hard. That whole week was terrible. My best friends and family were so distraught. I have spent so many of my hours listening to his voice and his talent, and not a single one of those hours was a waste. He has built me up so much as a person and as a musician, and only influences me to do better and to excel in my hobby. He is so wonderful and he left so much of himself for everyone to experience in all the years to come. He left the biggest piece of himself: his music. And that music will be with us forever.
– Llana
Cara L. Sands
A Higher Truth, Indeed
In October 2015, my husband and I were blessed to not only attend two of Chris’s “Higher Truth” concerts (one in Toronto and one in Buffalo) but we also had the opportunity to meet with him backstage (Buffalo). He was kind, supportive, generous with his time and words, and encouraging towards a writing project I was working on.
Chris’s talent and charisma were unsurpassed. In-between the audience cheers, you could hear a pin drop when he began to sing, filling the room with his hauntingly beautiful voice, set to the strumming of his guitar of choice.
During his performance in Toronto, he arrived onstage a few moments late, citing the following: His wife, Vicky was flying somewhere, and she was concerned with the turbulence. Chris was watching her flight on an app on his phone, and didn’t want to start the show until he knew her flight had landed, safe and sound.
At that moment, I turned to my husband and whispered, “Soul mates. What a guy — and what a lady.”
Love never dies.
#ThankYouChrisCornell
– Cara
Giuliana Guerriero
My Bf bought this print for me to hang in our home..he was my most favorite artist of all time. I took my bf to see Chris Higher Truth acoustic tour and he was blown away!..your daughter was on stage with him! What an amazing show and I feel it was a gift and so grateful to have been there.. God Bless u and your family.
– Giuliana
Meghan Foresman
We were lucky enough to see Chris live over 40 times. Solo, with Audioslave, and amazingly enough, with Soundgarden and Temple of the Dog.
This is our tribute video to Chris, created using some of our favorite photos from these shows.
– Meghan | Jeffgarden.com
September 5, 2017
Shannon
Dearest Vicky,
I would like to start by giving you my deepest condolences to you and your family. Imagining you are still receiving so many messages I intended to wait a while before writing to you, but never had I imagined writing the words I am about to share.
As you know Chris touched my Kali’s heart when she was turning 10. The birthday party you helped organize, the gifts, and meeting him helped her recover from a medical crisis with her blood disorder. Well many years later….I believe he helped her from Heaven.
On August 24th our lives changed drastically. Kali was involved in a critical auto accident; she was t-boned by a truck at a high rate of speed. It was early morning and I had called into work to let them know I was taking my dog into the vet for an emergency appointment for a possible broken leg. I had just finished at the vet and was putting my dog in the front seat, started the car and “Like a Stone” was playing on the radio. This was the song Chris dedicated to Kali on stage. He asked her what her favorite song was and that was her answer.
Seconds later my phone rang into the car’s Bluetooth system. My first thought was “Dammit, who is calling me? I love this song!” It was Kali’s number showing up, so I answered and said “Hello, Hello” and a man’s voice said “Is this Kali’s mom?” I said “Yes! Who is this?” He said his name was Trooper such and such from the Michigan State Police. He said “Your daughter has been in an accident and is being taken to Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.” He asked how close I was. I told him I was driving my dog back home and I would be right there. It was not even 10 minutes later and her phone called me again, this time it was a Sergeant from the Ingham County Sheriff Department. He said “I wanted to make sure you were notified Kali is being brought to Sparrow Hospital.” I said “Is she alive?” He said “Yes, but she has substantial injuries and they need you up there right away.”
I don’t remember much else about the drive. I arrived to find myself signing consent forms for emergency surgery. Her injuries were so many and so severe we were told her chances of making it through the next day or two were 50/50. She spent her first few days here on life support and remained in ICU until Thursday. 7 days, countless units of blood and several major surgeries later, the swelling in her face started to come down enough so she could keep her eyes open.
My husband and I went to where her car was towed to see if we could salvage any of her belongings a few days ago. After we got in through a back passenger door I looked inside and tears just rolled down my face. To see the aftermath of what she went through, EMS gloves still on the floor, pools of dried blood with glass everywhere. What I saw left me with no doubts her life being spared was a miracle. The fact that her favorite song by Chris was playing can’t be a coincidence. We believe he was with her and helped save her again.
She remains in pain, her jaw is wired shut, but is now getting therapy every day with multiple modalities, Speech, Occupation, Physical, every type of rehabilitation available she is getting. Some of her spunk is returning and she was talking about driving in the future. But, she did say she never wants to be low to the ground again. She put all of her savings into the car she had. Her hopes are to get a large truck or jeep so her anxiety about driving is lessened. I would be okay with an armored tank.
I want you to know Chris told us that you were the one who planned all of the arrangements to make Kali’s day so special. He told us you were an amazing mother and it came naturally. Without you she may have never got to meet her music icon. Vicky, you are such a beautiful and amazing person. I want to thank you for everything you did for Kali, because without you how else would’ve Chris known to watch over her from Heaven if they’d never met? His love to help others will never end he truly remains with those in need.
Your family will always remain in our prayers.
Love,
Shannon Stone and Kali Shelton
Rob
I never got to meet Chris, but his work was just so important to me. It was the reason I even wanted to play music. I remember being in the basement playing games with friends when the music video to Fell on Black Days came on and I remember just thinking wow- and being so moved and inspired by it. Years later, Chris really helped me find my own singing voice. Even though we never met, I consider him to be a teacher almost. I can say with confidence that I know his entire discography by heart. I’ve belted out every mournful word along side him on long stretches of dark road. He was like a good friend.
It was my dream to one day meet him and maybe even perform with him or collaborate on something. Silly childhood dreams, I know.
I was too young to catch a Soundgarden show in the 90s, but I was overjoyed when my favorite band got back together in 2010 and I devoured every bit of live footage I could find.
I just saw them again this year in Kansas City. One of their last shows. At one point, Chris stepped away from the stage for a few minutes in the middle of the set just to sign some things a fan had handed him in the front row. He was seriously the king of cool.
I just wish I could have met him once. Just one time to shake his hand, look him in the eye and tell him just how much his music meant to me. I had his solo album, Euphoria Morning on repeat during my divorce and it really helped me through. It remains, in my opinion, the most beautiful and raw album ever written. Please do yourself a favor and listen to Euphoria Morning today.
It’s not much, but I thought I should do something to honor this absolutely towering mountain of musical talent:
Say hello to heaven, Chris. I hope I get to see you there.
– Rob
Gloria Solero
Chris Cornell…
Although I never knew you, I knew your voice. Your voice had reason. I will miss that voice. Now it lives on in your daughter Toni’s voice. I will miss your voice and music. God Bless your wife and children. Godspeed.
– Gloria
Shelby Ovian
Thank you Chris,
For helping a lost, confused kid find herself when it seemed impossible. When I was younger (about 13) I didn’t have any friends my age and I blamed myself. I was different in the way that I was quiet and loved to play my guitar. I rarely spoke out because any time I did I was ignored or talked over. I didn’t go out to fun social events or hang out with anyone really, but I did have music. Music was something that made me feel safe and happy. It could change my mood and turn my whole day around or just give me something to relate to. As someone with no one to relate to, that meant the world. One day I heard Jesus Christ Pose and I was hooked. There was so much power and emotion behind it that I wanted to dive deep into your music . And that’s exactly what I did. It was a new world and a new thing to keep me going . It made me feel like there was someone out there who understood my frustrations and lonliness. That was the greatest gift I could have asked for. So thank you from the loner, the wallflower, the kid you helped gain confidence and happiness. Who you taught to be herself.
– Shelby
Heather Fielder (Raine)
wrote this two days after his passing…
I’ve been so sad for the past two days and yesterday I just kept thinking, I wish I could go back to sleep and wake up in yesterday… and words kept coming and some more writer talk (Chris would understand) I’m not sure it’s done but here it is
Turned to your words and voice so I that wouldn’t make that choice
How hard to I have to pray for this to be a lie?
Now that every song sounds like goodbye
Who’s gonna be there to help the others now
Who’s gonna go to yesterday to keep you safe somehow
Don’t even know what I’m doing
Seconds like hours, hours like minutes and lose my train of thinking
In my heart there’s a sinking
and I’m fighting tears like a war
I can’t say I’ve ever felt this alone before
It’s one of those days that you want to go back to sleep
Just to stay in yesterday
When the world was still okay
Like a nightmare and a lesson
your living was a blessing
And I’ve never felt this alone before
And I never seen beauty quite so clear before
Like what’s on the surface was a window and not a door
Eyes like water and voice like rain
I’ve never felt this dry before
I’d love to follow you into the desert and show a little sympathy
Now left to feel nothing but post traumatic empathy
And I sure wish I could be sure of this somehow
heaven has been singing but you’re giving the angels a run for their money now
– Heather
September 4, 2017
Rodrigo
En los últimos años se han marchado muchas personalidades importantes entre actores, cantantes, compositores y otros, lo que ha dejado a muchos fans desconsolados, pero para mi solo una muerte me quebró y me dejó desconsolado y fue la de Chris. Siempre fue mi artista favorito tanto por su música, su voz, su increible talento y por su vida, porque haber logrado pelear contra los vicios típicos del ambiente y lograr tener una vida más sana es un triunfo enorme. Lamentablemente la depresión y los fantasmas del pasado son un peso enorme que cargar y siempre te acompañarán en la vida.
Deseo que por fín se encuentre libre, cantando en las estrellas, acá dejó su marca en nuestros corazones y por eso siempre lo recordaré y seguirá siendo mi artista favorito.
