It’s like he was always there. Especially when I went through a really tough time between 1999 and 2002. I’d hear his voice sing “Hello, I know there’s someone out there who can understand and who’s feeling the same way as me” and it would feel like I had this magical human being holding my hand and it was ok to be a little bit broken because we all are. Even the wonderful ones. He was always there as a reminder to keep pushing and that you can really appreciate colour so deeply because you know the dark.
The news of his death floored me. I didn’t leave my flat for a week. I’d lost someone who I’d never met, but who was a far bigger influence on my life than many people I know. It sounds so weird to say but his lyrics knew me, and I knew him. I finally left the house for my first jewellery wax carving lesson. I sketched and cut and sawed my tribute to Chris. It’s a combination of Black Hole Sun and Euphoria Morning (my title version of the album) with the sun rising over mountains. I tried to do what Chris did in the only way I knew how and turn my grief into beauty. I wear it all the time.
Martina x
November 22, 2017
Lee
I remember being 14 years old, absolutely certain that my brother was headed down a dangerous path, running headlong toward disaster. Everyday, I wondered if he’d overdose, if he’d destroy his body and his brain with drugs. I wrote sad poems about it. I brooded about it. But mostly I listened to “Say Hello to Heaven” and sang along at the top of my lungs. The Temple of the Dog album, and that song specifically, gave me something to lean on, something through which I could express all my fears and sadness and pain. To this day, I am grateful for Chris’s music. His is one of the voices that defined my early life, and even now when I hear those songs, I still feel comforted by them.
Thank you, friend, for making something beautiful for the world to have. Thank you for being brave enough to express your raw emotions. Thank you from both of us – 14 year old me and 36 year old me – for holding our hand when we were hurting.
Love and comfort to Chris’s family, friends, and fellow musicians. He did what we all hope to do – leave something beautiful in this world after we are gone.
Lee
Yolanda Johnston
I fell in love with Soundgarden when I was 13. I stumbled upon them while falling asleep late one night to 89.9 the local AM college radio station for Green River Community College in Auburn, Wa. Through the crackle and hiss of the radio, I heard this hard, churning, odd-metered, dark, and melodic sound that spoke to me in a way I could not explain; I just knew that it felt like home. I immediately fell in love with Chris. He was this powerful vocal god who mesmerized me with his physical and sonic beauty. I couldn’t get enough. I was this silly kid who was too young to go to their shows, but I didn’t care because I was hooked. This was all before they hit the mainstream and then finally years later I got to see them at Bumbershoot and I was blown away. They had this massive demon head hanging above the stage glowing red and blowing smoke, it was so surreal. At this time I had the Louder Than Love poster with shirtless sexy Chris on my bedroom wall and my boyfriend at the time was extremely jealous and asked me to take it down…I said No. He sulked and said it was silly that I wouldn’t take it down. I told him that it was silly that he was jealous of a poster. No one could’ve convinced me to part ways with anything I had of Chris; he had already been with me for years and my love for him was deep.
When SG broke up, it hit hard. But, then Chris came out with Euphoria Mourning and it became the soundtrack of my life. So beautiful and haunting. It felt like Chris was telling me a brand new story every time I listened to it. Timeless beauty.
Unfortunately, I missed the whole Audioslave period as I was a full-time Music and Dance major in college holding down 3 part-time jobs. But, when I graduated and came up for air, I finally experienced this new part of Chris’ catalog and it was like a gift. It was so driving and powerful, but in a different way from SG.
Skip forward to 2010. I was a member of the Knights of the Soundtable fan club and I got this miraculous e-mail…”the wait is over, they’re back!” It was and still is one of the best days of my life. My boys were back at it! I was elated!! I went to every show I could, finally I got to see them again and it was the stuff dreams are made of. Chris’ voice was perfect. They released Telephantasm with a song I had not heard called Black Rain. omg, this was beyond words amazing. They were on fire and I felt like it was a song I had waited my whole life to hear. If this was what they had held back, I could not wait for King Animal to be released. I was not disappointed. It was an album that I played on heavy rotation for years after it’s release, it was and is so extraordinary.
The Songbook tour was amazing. I was so fortunate to see him at Humphrey’s in San Diego, which is a small outdoor stage next to a marina. This show was so intimate and in the moment. Chris was such an incredible storyteller, his banter between songs felt like hanging out at your bestfriend’s house. It was easy and comfortable. He was so honest, raw. He had this wonderful way of making you laugh out of nowhere. All he needed was a microphone and a guitar.
When Higher Truth was released I will be honest, I just couldn’t buy it. Something about it seemed absolutely final to me, something inside of me was saying that this was it. I looked at the cover art and it just screamed THE END at me. So, I ignored it. I went on and looked forward to the next Soundgarden album and tour. After Chris passed, during my trip home to Seattle at the end of May, I bought a copy of Higher Truth at Silver Platters in Bellevue, Wa. It is one of the most beautiful compositions I have ever heard. Every song is a gem, but it is the title song Higher Truth and the final track Our Time in the Universe, which ring in my head over and over. This was his farewell to us all. I hate that my gut was right…
Most of my life has been shaped and honed by the artistry of Chris and the boys in SG. I would not be the person or the artist I am today without that life changing moment so many years ago in my childhood home listening to them for the first time on AM college radio.
Last September, I was lucky enough to find three other people who wanted to pay tribute to Chris the way I did and we formed a Soundgarden/Audioslave tribute called SoundSlave. When Chris passed, we had the honor of performing a tribute show dedicated to him at the House of Blues in San Diego. I could barely keep from crying the entire show; we were playing for him, giving him our love and playing for the hundreds of fans who came to be with others who loved him too. It was a privilege to share his music with others. I was lucky to be able to pay tribute to him in such a special way. It felt like he was there with us. I will treasure that moment forever.
Thank you Chris for leaving the world better than you found it. Thank you for changing so many lives in such a positive way. Thank you for all that you gave. Thank you for all that you have shared. Thank you for making us laugh. Thank you for caring deeply about animals and human rights. Thank you for showing us all the beauty of the world. Thank you for being a good human, an amazing Father, a loving Husband, and a caring friend. Thank you for giving this girl the idea that it’s a good thing to love deeply and to leave it all on the stage when you play a show. Thank you for never letting me down.
You have saved my life so many times. I promise to Carry On.
Loudest of Love,
Yolanda
This link below is to the tribute we did toward the beginning of the HOB show. Instead of a moment of silence we screamed Chris’ name, the video is a minute and a half.
I was in a really dark place when I first came across Chris’s music. And though I love a lot of different types of music, Chris was different. Not only because of the unparalled voice & sound, but because he was so genuine that his soul shone through each and every note and word. And I was like praying for a miracle that one day I could get a chance to see him live. To me, music is life, but there aren’t many acts that I dream of seeing live.
That miracle never came. Instead, the news came this May and it was shattering. It was like losing a family member. Never felt that about the passing of someone I didn’t know. Because it felt like all of us who loved him really ‘knew him’ and like we were all one big family. I never really recovered and I guess none of us did or ever really will, but we will forever cherish his legacy, we will look up to the skies and remember that we each have a part to play and we should always strive to make something beautiful and helpful for people, something to leave behind.
It’s an immeasurable loss, but a gain by creating a community of people who understand, who are there for each other and who can bring awareness so that angels among us don’t have to leave early to be our angels from above.
Thank you to the wonderful family for guarding his memory and values and for interacting with fans. Lots of strength to you and to all of his friends. Lots of love to Vicky and the kids and especially Toni for keeping the music alive.
Aea
Nedim Kirlic
I came to Sweden from war torn Bosnia-Herzegovina in December 1992, two days before I turned 12. Growing up in Sweden with my mom and two sisters, after having lost my dad in January 1993 (but we only found out about it a couple of montha later), I became introverted, keeping my emotions i check and never talking about anything “deeper”, though I was always close to bursting at the seams. Music became an escape, a safe-haven, something I could get lost into. Obviously, being a teenager in the 1990’s, I was very much into the Seattle music scene.
Years passed, and only mostly Pearl Jam and Soundgarden were what remained as my favourite Seattle bands. Now I am an adult, still with some traumas and issues, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. My biggest interest still today is music, listening and playing. And also going to concerts.
I saw Chris with his band on his solo tour in 2006 in Oslo, Norway. The arena was not big, it was a pretty intimate show. I was in the front row (no seats) and during one chorus of the song “Cochise”, Chris suddenly put his microphone in my face and I had to try to sing/yell the chorus. If it was audible at all, I was most likely singing pretty much bad, out of key, falsely. But it didn’t matter. At a point Chris and I shook hands, and that was also special, physically touching one of my childhood heroes.
Then Soundgarden surprised wih a new album and I went to Stockholm to attend the band’s concert, with my older sister, who also used to be into grunge in early 1990’s and who turned me onto Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains and Soundgarden. We had a good time.
Life goes on, and on 18th of May 2017, on my 4th wedding day anniversary, I went to work in the morning. Usually when I get there, I check out a Bosnian media website just to catch up on the current events, if there are any particular news. And there I saw the news about Chris… I was just shocked. Sure, there has been substance abuse in the past, but this came out of nowhere. That whole day at work was a struggle, as I was close to tears. I went home on my lunch break and put on my Soundgarden “King Animal” tour t-shirt as an homage, and to help me cope. Every time someone mentioned it, I found it difficult to talk about, because I really didn’t want to cry in public.
Weeks passed, and I at random times found myself thinking about Chris, as if the shock was still there, a feeling of helplessness and sorrow. And I wasn’t really listening to his music after the first week… I am not an extremely emotional person, but I just can’t shake this. Of course, one my grandmother died in 2012, and then my grandfather in 2016, I was sad. Even though they were quite old, there was a feeling that they could have had quite a few more good years, especially grandma. Also, I last saw grandma four years before she died, and grampa three years before he died. I was selfish and didn’t want to travel to Bosnia to see them, but it was also about me not being able to cope with the loss of my real life; there should not have been a war, I should have not lost my life, my home, and become separated from my closest family like that. I knew that I would regret not coming to see them more often, but in the end, it was just too painful to come and visit, and then get separated again, for at least a year. I was selfish, just tried to “escape”.
What does this have to do with Chris? Well, I just share the mourning of his passing, even though I never knew him as anything but one of my favorite rockers, and I can relate the emotions to losses of my loved ones. Still today I sometimes get a little emotional thinking about Chris. Just a couple of days ago, I watched the movie “Me Before You”, and then I saw on Instagram the tribute by the Foo Fighters, the picture of Chris from his younger days on Taylor Hawkins’ kick drum. And my eyes teared up.
I don’t know what more to say. I never thought that something like this would affect me this way. I mourn, I keep the memory alive, and I try to share more love with and show more love to my loved ones. We’re only here for so long, and it will always end in tears. So, the only thing we can do is try to fill the time we have with love, laughter and joy, with life.
My heartfelt condolences to you, the family.
Nedim
November 21, 2017
Bernd Buschmann
Dear Vicky,
Following an article I just read where they say you ask Chris fans to keep posting their tributes as it helps you through the unbearable, I felt I had to post this tribute song from my dear friend Timo.
Chris has influenced and inspired at least our generation including us with his music and personality. No disrespect to Nirvana and Curt, but to us Chris is the real star of the generation “grunge” music – and beyond grunge as well.
We all love Rock’n’Roll, Metal etc. However With Acoustic Delite we are trying to add value to people’s life, giving them joy and pleasure with some nice tunes, fine music and a way to calm down in this stressful and noisy world.
Not sure you heard the song that way before but we hope you can enjoy it a little bit:
Our thoughts go to you and your beloved!
Bernd & the Acoustic Delite family
TeeRes
The year I lived on Maui (91-93), we had plenty of famous people visit, but you don’t get loads of music concerts. They are typically held on the big island (Hawaii). While working as a hostess at Maui Leilani’s I met many famous people. From Magic Johnson to Eddie Vedder, and yes, Chris Cornell (may he rest now, in peace.)
In the case of Eddie and Chris; they were so friendly and chatty. Not I, nor any of the staff at Leilani’s, ever asked them for autographs or photos. And social media didn’t exist, Thank God. We all seemed to be grateful to be in the experience of speaking with them as men with highly skilled talents and so much to say. They asked us as many questions as we asked them. They engaged with manners and kindness. It didn’t hurt that much of the island were massive Pearl Jam and Sound Garden fans. But we never imposed where we weren’t invited. And that could be why they were so relaxed.
There’s so much more to that story but I will keep some things sacred and close to my heart, rather than share. I don’t want Chris’s hard work, contributions and sacrifice to fizzle or be forgotten. I’ve vowed to post and repost him in the effort to #keepthepromise and help keep his promise to us all. I thank God for Chris’s time on this earth as he validated; ‘it’s not the years in your life, it’s the life in your years. Thank you for your jam packed years. Myself and my network send so much love to Vicky and their children. TO MRS. CORNELL-We are so thankful you’re allowing people who love Chris to share in the healing process of his untimely passing. You’re truly Amazing and I can understand why he loved you so much. Thank You!
Piera Alessio
2015 was my first and only year seeing Chris. First with Soundgarden in Melbourne and later that year 3 Higher Truth shows, including one amazing show at the Sydney Opera House.
How does one explain the impact your music, voice and persona had on me in such a short time? You were like this mythical creature whose voice penetrated my every pore. Seeing you from the front row each night only magnified the experience. I’m glad I managed to say “thank you” and shake your hand. I miss you.
Piera
Brian Mulhall
I remember when my (now) wife and I saw Chris at the London Palladium in 2012, on his Songbook tour. He mentioned the ‘questionable third album’ he made. He joked that people would say to him “what did Timbaland make you do?” and Chris would say “listen, Timbaland didn’t tie me down, didn’t strap me into a chair. I chose to do that album that way, it was all me.”
Still makesme smile thinking about it.
Chris had a pretty solid sense of humour.
Brian
Lilly Dunne
Dear Vicky, Lily, Toni and Christopher, I am so sorry for your loss. I am just a fan, but I mourn a friend. Chris had been in my life since 1994. Coming from a family background of depression and alcoholism, Chris’s lyrics were my escape.. he helped me when as an early teen, I didn’t have the confidence or know how to ask for help… he was my help… “my saviour”. I was lucky enough to see Soundgarden a couple of times that year. They made the trip all the way down to Australia, and he made us feel the love. They toured once again just before splitting in 1997. Out of 100s of sweaty young kids in that mosh pit, Chris, singled me out to sing to… I will never forget those eyes… so intense… I had to stop myself from looking away, a scared young teen not having the courage too look her idol in the eye… but I let him sing to me… I never broke his stare…. a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen him since then over the years… solo, with bands… and every time, he makes us feel like one of him. His stories, his wit, his humour. He treats us the fans, as his friends… that’s why I am mourning my friend.
I wish to god, we could as the CC army put all our love together to bring him back to you. Lord knows there’s enough of us… but we can’t, and that breaks my heart. Please take a little solace, that we are all standing united by you guys. We send nothing but loud love, respect, peace and prayers.
The world is a darker place without Chris here. We have lost an angel. The only brightness is that his demons can’t bother him anymore.
Loud Love always, Lilly Dunne from Melbourne Australia
