Grunge Icon Chris Cornell Leaves Behind a Shining Legacy of Rock

Jordan Bailey

As one of the leading figures in grunge, Chris Cornell took to fame in the late 80’s as the founding member of the band Soundgarden. Seattle was his home and with the help of Nirvana, Cornell launched a new movement in music, one that would end in tragedy with the death of Kurt Cobain. This week saw another tragedy from the world of grunge as Cornell passed away on May 17, just hours after what would be his final performance in Detroit.

The history of Cornell is the history of grunge rock. Through the famed indie label Sub Pop Records, Soundgarden gained commercial fame alongside Nirvana, Alice in Chains and Pearl Jam in the early 1990’s. “Superunknown” (1994) shot Cornell and the band into the number one spot on the Billboard 200 with the help of the soon-to-be Grammy Award-winning singles “Black Hole Sun” and “Spoonman.” Cornell’s signature raspy, soulful voice shot through the speakers with a piercing sentimentality, demanding the attention of anyone in earshot. To this day, these songs are played on alt-rock radio stations across the world. However, it wasn’t soon after this blistering success that the crew split up due to creative differences. Cornell didn’t let that stop his musical ambitions though, as he took the opportunity to create Audioslave, a follow-up with its own identity altogether.

Audioslave consisted of Rage Against the Machine members Tom Morello (lead guitar), Tim Commerford (bass) and Brad Wilk (drums) with Cornell leading the vocals. Like many supergroups, it took them a while to develop their identity—that is, until the release of their second album, 2005’s “Out of Exile,” hit shelves. This record put Cornell back where he belonged: on the top of the charts. The singer-songwriter is said to have written his most personal songs ever on this Grammy-nominated effort. Cuba, oddly enough, received the most from “Out of Exile.” The band was the first-ever American rock band to perform in the country. Seventy-thousand fans showed up to find an excited Cornell and company on stage ready to play what would be the longest set in the band’s history. Their album would go on to achieve platinum status.

Cornell’s solo career was speckled between the success of both Soundgarden and Audioslave, reaching all the way to 2015 where he would unknowingly release his final project, “Higher Truth.” Before that, fans got 1999’s “Euphoria Morning” plus “Carry On” and “Scream” in 2007 and 2009, respectively. During Audioslave’s hiatus in 2006, Cornell took the time to create the theme song for the James Bond film “Casino Royale,” joining the ranks of fellow theme songwriters Paul McCartney, Patti Labelle, Carly Simon, and Adele. Cornell would go on to create numerous other singles for films and television shows. On March 3, the last piece of studio music would be released from the grunge rocker. Entitled “The Promise,” this acoustic-lead single is heartbreakingly sentimental and uplifting. Fans and critics will no doubt seek deeper meaning now having known what we know, but “The Promise” is just Cornell singing from the depths of his heart and soul like he’s always done.

Soundgarden reunited in 2010, eventually bringing along with them 2012’s “King Animal.” More recently, the band set off on a Spring tour throughout the U.S., which culminated in Cornell’s final performance at the Fox Theater in Detroit on Wed, May 17. While the themes of grunge were wrapped in angst, Cornell appeared to have a loving family, bandmates and a life that many admired. His legacy will live on with them, and through his music that touched so many.

Chris Cornell died on May 18, 2017 in Detroit, MI at age 52.