Chris Cornell

Chris Cornell. Christopher John Boyle, known professionally as Chris Cornell, was an American musician, singer, and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and primary lyricist for the Seattle rock band Soundgarden. He was also a founding member of the supergroup Temple of the Dog and the frontman for the rock band Audioslave, in addition to a successful solo career. Recognized for his powerful four-octave vocal range and prolific songwriting, he is considered a key figure in the development of the grunge movement and one of the greatest rock vocalists of all time.

Early life and education

Christopher John Boyle was born on July 20, 1964, in Seattle, to pharmacist Edward Boyle and accountant Karen Cornell. His parents divorced when he was a teenager, and he subsequently took his mother's maiden name. He grew up in the city's Catholic community, attending Christ the King School in the Green Lake neighborhood before later studying at Shorewood High School. As a shy youth, he found solace in music, listening to artists like The Beatles and teaching himself to play drums and guitar. He worked various jobs in his teens, including as a seafood wholesaler at Pike Place Market, before fully committing to a career in music.

Musical career

Cornell co-founded Soundgarden in 1984 with guitarist Kim Thayil and bassist Hiro Yamamoto, with the band becoming one of the first grunge groups to sign with a major label, A&M Records. Soundgarden achieved massive commercial success with albums like Badmotorfinger (1991) and the chart-topping Superunknown (1994), featuring hit singles such as "Black Hole Sun" and "Spoonman." In 1990, he formed Temple of the Dog as a tribute to his friend Andrew Wood, the late singer of Mother Love Bone, collaborating with future members of Pearl Jam. After Soundgarden disbanded in 1997, he released his solo debut, Euphoria Morning (1999). In 2001, he joined former members of Rage Against the Machine to form Audioslave, releasing three successful albums. He reunited with Soundgarden in 2010, releasing the album King Animal in 2012, and continued his solo work, including the soundtrack for the James Bond film Casino Royale with the song "You Know My Name."

Personal life

Cornell was married to Susan Silver, manager of Soundgarden and Alice in Chains, from 1990 until their divorce in 2004; they had one daughter, Lillian Jean. In 2004, he married publicist Vicky Karayiannis in a ceremony at the Château de la Chèvre d'Or in France; they had two children, Toni and Christopher Nicholas. He was a longtime resident of Seattle but also maintained homes in Paris and Miami Beach. Throughout his life, he struggled publicly with substance abuse and depression, entering rehabilitation in 2002. He was also known for his philanthropic efforts, supporting organizations like the International Rescue Committee and founding the Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation to aid vulnerable children.

Death and legacy

On May 18, 2017, Cornell died by suicide in his hotel room at the MGM Grand Detroit following a Soundgarden concert at the Fox Theatre. His death was ruled a hanging by the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office. The news sent shockwaves through the music world, prompting tributes from artists across genres and a public memorial at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle. He was posthumously honored with a Grammy Award in 2019 for his song "When Bad Does Good." Cornell is remembered as a defining voice of his generation, influencing countless musicians with his vocal prowess and songwriting. In 2020, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Soundgarden.

Discography

* With Soundgarden: Ultramega OK (1988), Louder than Love (1989), Badmotorfinger (1991), Superunknown (1994), Down on the Upside (1996), King Animal (2012) * With Temple of the Dog: Temple of the Dog (1991) * With Audioslave: Audioslave (2002), Out of Exile (2005), Revelations (2006) * Solo: Euphoria Morning (1999), Carry On (2007), Scream (2009), Higher Truth (2015) * Soundtrack contributions: Singles (1992), Casino Royale (2006), The Promise (2016)

Category:American rock singers Category:1964 births Category:2017 deaths