the first 75 percent of your acoustic show last night, my jaw literally dropped a few times, but the last 25 percent, both of us were literally yawning. Just a stroke of luck I guess, My high school bandmate and I's parents were cool enough to let us scalp tickets and we somehow end up seeing Pearl Jam, Alice N Chains, Soundgarden and a version of Temple of the dog in one amazing unannounced night right before the whole scene exploded onto the world!!! We didn't even know who you guys were!!! (footnote, sugar tooth opened.) My only gripe is this man. The first time I saw you was at the RIP Magazine Party at the Palladium in LA before you guys broke. I was just blown away at how strong your voice still is and much more mature to boot. I'm the guy that shouted, "Full on Kevin's Mom" and you said it couldn't be done without banjo's =) Anyhow, what I wanted to say was this, You are one of the best singers, period, to ever walk the earth. I came to the show with my girl Melanie last night. Two years latter Cornell released a live album “Songbook”, which consisted of material spanning across his entire career. Justin Timberlake even made an appearance on the song “Take Me Alive”. Renowned pop producer Timbaland covered production on the album and integrated his signature funk driven electronic undertone into the mix. In some respects this cover acted as a premonition to the R&B influence that would seep into Cornell’s third album “Scream”. The style encompassed genres of hard rock, blues and psychedelia and even featured a cover of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”. Within a year of its release it sold 121,000 copies in the US and 300,000 copies world wide. Their 2005 follow up “Out of Exile” did just as well, taking the No.1 spot on the Billboard 200 and their 2006 album “Revelations” matched the platinum status achieved by its preceding releases.Ĩ years later Cornell released his highly anticipated sophomore solo album “Carry On”. The album went triple Platinum in the US and featured five singles with “Like a Stone” receiving a Grammy nomination. While their self-titled debut received mixed criticism, it was a fan favorite. The group released three albums in their 6 years span. The singer took a brief break from his career to focus on family life, but returned shortly to form the influential and widely popular band Audioslave. Additionally he started composing solo material in the early 90s releasing his first song “Seasons” for the Cameron Crowe film “Singles”.Īfter Soundgarden broke up Cornell pursued his solo career full time and released his studio debut “Euphoria Morning” in 1999. He endowed upon himself the role of a producer (engineering records for the Screaming Trees), acted as a writer for artists such as Alice Cooper and formed a side project with Mother Love Bone singer Andrew Wood entitled Temple of the Dog. The group really broke into the mainstream and came into their own sound with the albums “Badmotorfinger”, “Superunkown”, and “Down on the Upside”.Ĭornell found other mediums other than Soundgarden to express his musical talents. Their next release took a step towards the sludge ridden riffs found on Black Sabbath and Zeppelin records, but also featured a dislocating and haunting ambience heard from groups like Bauhaus. The band’s first album was raw and aggressive, rightfully ending up on the influential punk label SST records. They were also one of few bands in this collective to land a recording contract with a major label like A&M. They helped established the 90s alternative soundscape, being one of the first groups to be associated with the post-psychedelic genre of grunge. Alongside Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and the Melvins they transformed the ethos of hardcore punk and metal into something more restrained but equally subversive. Soundgarden’s impact on alternative rock cannot be overstated. ![]() Sundquist eventually left the band and was replaced by longstanding member Matt Cameron. Cornell played drums in both groups, but recruited Scott Sundquist as Soundgarden’s new percussionist so he could assume the position as lead vocalist. Future Soundgarden members bassist Hiro Yamamoto and guitarist Kim Thayil were also in the band though they never played with each other during this time. His two sisters Katy and Suzy and his brother Peter started a group in the 90s known as Inflatable Soul and has since gone on to pursue other projects.Ĭornell started playing in bands in the 80s, one of his first being the Seattle cover act the Shemps. Like Chris his siblings also became involved in music. He developed an early interest in music listening to the Beatles incessantly in elementary school and looking to this art form as a means to overcome his social anxiety. Cornell grew up in Seattle, Washington with his pharmacist father, accountant mother, and 5 brothers and sisters.
1 Comment
|