December 8, 2017
Kim Edwards
Your music, voice and words always moved me. Music that was raw and powerful… lyrics about love, anger, fear, darkness and light. Your words so poetic and eloquent, they resonated with my deepest thoughts… like you could see what I was feeling and hiding inside myself.
Throughout my life I have listened and appreciated your gift of music. It has given me much strength and happiness… as well solace in times of deep despair.
I am so thankful for what you shared with us. I loved seeing you and your bands perform… those are times I will not forget. I was always grateful that you’d bring your tours to Australia regularly, you were so committed to your fans… we loved you.
I will always listen to your music, you will not be forgotten. You were a true artist Chris. Know that your spirit lives on in your fans’ hearts every time we hear your voice.
I’ll see you in the sky, the lightning and the night.
Rest easy CC, Loud love
Kim xx
Cristiana
Dear Chris,
I heard your voice as a teenager, back when Black Hole Sun came to our radio stations, in Romania /Eastern Europe. I was a weird time, after the communist era had just ended and confusion was all around us growing up. What were we? Where did we as a generation belong? Neither in past neither in the rest of the world that looked down on us. Your music soothed our insecurities and brought us a soundtrack to our lives.
Years went by and I moved on with you, to Audioslave, grinding 2 copies of the album in no time from heavy rotation. Your voice, your lyrics, your stamina were so fresh, so poignant, so unforgettable. I dreamed of watching you play with Audioslave but never got the chance.
When Soundgarden reunited I waited for the first chance your band would come close to Europe.
And in June 2014 I drove from Bucharest, through Budapest, Prague and all the way to Berlin with only 5 hrs of sleep, to watch you FINALLY on stage. My little Citroen C3 was speeding as much as his little engine could, almost broke down but it delivered me to your Concert.
You opened for Black Sabbath. And seeing you less than 9 meters away, hearing you – brought tears to my eyes. Happiness. Because yours was the voice of my adolescence and yours were the lyrics to my strength. Along with Pearl Jam and Led Zeppelin, you were my hero. Still are.
You were a role-model for many kids I grew up with too. You were a Man, able to give love and shine on for his Family above anything and anyone, following his calling and calling out to us to stand up to our times. You were amazing.
Thank you. For the amazing chance to have lived in the same time as you, to have felt and seen live the energy you spread around, to have felt what you put into your songs. You will always be cherished.
To your family: Losing someone doesn’t get any easier. It’s just taking comfort in the light he left behind that will soothe your hearts. Please feel the love we all have for you and for Chris. You will always be loved.
Cristiana
Antonella B.
Chris Cornell’s voice has accompanied me since my twenties, through highs and lows. I saw Soundgarden for the first time in Berlin in 1996. I went by myself because I didn’t know anyone there. I thought his voice was magic and touching and yes, full of emotions.
When Chris started touring solo, I rediscovered the immensity of his voice. I brought my husband along and he became an instant fan. His songs became our songs, during trips, at home, walking around the city. In 2015 we had the privilege to see him in Aspen at a very small venue, the Belly Up. We were standing so close to him. I wanted to say something cool and clever but I couldn’t, I felt frozen. I loved seeing that Vicky and the kids were there with him. In a nutshell I loved everything about him.
After that, we saw him in New York with Temple of the Dog. The day before the 2016 elections. The last happy day of 2016. My heart will never stop aching. In every song, every note, I struggle to understand what happened. Your music will never die Chris, but damn if we miss you.
Antonella
Christian Golden
I could always find a chunk of Chris’s music to help me through certain things in my life. Today I’m angry: early Soundgarden. Today I’m sad: his first solo album. Today I’m anxious: Higher Truth. Today’s a good day: some Audioslave and Carry On. The thing I’ll miss most is wondering what music he’ll make next. Will it be more solo stuff? Acoustic? Soundgarden? Audioslave? Something entirely different? I’ll never be convinced he didn’t have many more tricks up his sleeve. I’ll always wonder what could’ve been next.
Vicky and kids: I’m so, so sorry for your loss. As much as I’ll miss looking forward to his music, I know you’ll miss him most of all. Carry on and find a way. Find him in everything he sang and wrote about. Do this, and you’ll find him everywhere.
Christian
Martin Lewis
My Sister and I met Soundgarden at the Brixton Academy, London in 1996 and just like your music it meant everything to us.
Your smile in this photo is how we will always remember you, along with your charm, words and of course, voice.
You may have gone but you will always be with us.
Loud love
Martin, UK
x
November 30, 2017
DANNY ZINESI
It’s hard to find the right words to express what Chris meant to me in my life.
I’ve always loved grunge, and even if I was born in the 90’s I’ve always felt like a part of this incredible movement.
To me, that wasn’t all about music and anger and success and self-destruction, it was a social and cultural revolution started by a bunch of normal men that showed us their struggles and their inspirations through music.
Soundgarden was obviously an enormous part of the entire movement and I’ve loved those guys since the first time I listened to them, long time ago.
I was scrolling YouTube and I found this clip entitled “Jesus Christ Pose”. I was curious, and I clicked on it. Well, my life was destined to change completely.
The song, the vibe, the emotions just tremendously blew my mind. From that day, grunge was my only true friend.
In this journey I met some amazing performers like Layne, and Eddie, and Andrew Wood, and Lanegan, and Arm, and that weirdo Buzz Osbourne and obviously Kurt, but Chris was stuck in my mind and wouldn’t get out.
I devoured every Soundgarden album and every solo album from Chris and I can tell you straight up that he was my favourite artist out there.
The photo that I chose to post with this script is from his last concert in Italy. Higher Truth tour, 19th of april 2016 at Teatro degli Arcimboldi in Milan.
The best night of my entire life. A 2 and a half hour set listening, screaming and absorbing the songs that shaped my childhood and helped me being the person I am. I was never so grateful to music than that night.
He was a beautiful person, a huge inspiration, a gentle soul and I imagine him to be the nicest father of all. I’m still processing his departure like any other true fan of him, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to stand again and appreciate again some musician like I did with Chris.
I honestly and genuinely don’t know.
I only hope that some other child or guy like me can discover Chris as a talented musician and let him be a part of his life, ’cause you can learn and experiment some of the greatest emotions in your life just listening and enjoying pieces of work like those made by him.
I will never forget you Chris, I will never forget the way you carried my problems on your shoulders, the way you helped me to handle my fears and the way always made me feel.
God bless you, God bless Kim, Matt and Ben and God bless Vicky and your children. May they find some peace out of this tributes from their dearest fans.
“I, I never wanted to write these words down, for you”.
Danny
Marc Steele
I grew up after the break-up of Soundgarden and missed the entire grunge scene entirely. I was first introduced to Chris Cornell via Audioslave, and really began to call myself a fan following his James Bond theme “You Know My Name” for Casino Royale.
I got into Soundgarden retrospectively, but the album of Chris’s that really affected me was his collection of live acoustic material, Songbook. It’s the album that I would put on at night to reflect with. It remains one of my favourite albums of all time and I’m so glad, that even though Chris is gone, he will live on through his family and his music. I will continue to put Songbook on when I feel the need to reflect, and I know Chris will be there with me in spirit.
RIP Chris Cornell
Marc
Sharon
I have been a huge fan of Soundgarden now for well over 20 years and have been lucky enough to see them live 3 times. I wish it had been more but life gets in the way, I guess. Having said that, I still feel very lucky to have seen them when I did. Twice in the early 90s and the last time in Hyde Park London in 2014, a day I will always remember. My 2 friends and I managed to squeeze past 100s of people to get to the front and we were not disappointed. It was a great show and Chris and the band were on top form as always.
I never met Chris unfortunately and I’m sure he didn’t know I even existed, yet his passing has left a huge hole deep in my soul and I feel as if something is missing from my life as do I’m sure many others do. His music and lyrics have seen me through many many good times and have helped me through many bad times in my life and for that I am truly grateful. I cannot get over the fact that he is no longer with us and I don’t think that I really ever will. I am however grateful to have shared this earth with this wonderful human being and to have been able to witness his wonderful talent in what ever venture he was in at the time.
Chris, your fantastic words and music and talent will live on forever in all of your fans and family.
I miss you and thank you for sharing your wonderful gift with us all.
Photo taken by myself Hyde Park 2014
Loud Love
Sharon
Jordan
Chris, your music helped me become a stronger person and a better man. I saw you live with Soundgarden in St. Louis, a night I’ll never forget. Your music spoke to me, no matter its incarnation, Soundgarden, Audioslave, Temple of the Dog. And it’s been the soundtrack of countless memories with friends and family.
I miss you and I hope that your children will forever know that despite your tragic end, you brought beauty, inspiration, strength, and hope to countless people. I wish there was more to your story and the years ahead will undoubtedly be darker without you. But the gifts you gave us will never be forgotten. Say Hello to Heaven.
Jordan
Julie Hoagland
Thank you, Chris, for being a kindred soul when going through many dark stages. My brother introduced me to Soundgarden when Fell On Black Days started receiving airplay. It was the 1st time I remember feeling understood when I could not myself articulate what was going on inside me.
From that point until May 18, 2017, I followed your music through every stage. Your willingness to share the ups & downs of your life helped me & so many others.
Many thanks to your beautiful family that selflessly shared you with the world. Truly a gift to all lives you touched. God Bless & protect your beautiful wife & children. Loud Love!
Julie
