Mark is by far the biggest Cornell fan in our Crew and asked if he could draft something up after the awful news this morning. What he’s written is truly from the heart.
Look, I’m not sure what to say. I’m speechless, my heart’s heavy, I’m not looking California or feeling Minnesota. Chris Cornell – my icon, a legend – has ed away. A musician who’s been in my life since teenage years, since hearing “Jesus Christ Pose”, “Outshined”, “Slaves” and “Bulldozers”.
Oh man. Seeing Soundgarden was like a spiritual awakening. Seeing Chris’ solo gigs… like the acoustic song book tour at the London Palladium – one of, if not, the best gig I‘ve ever been to. He was charming, funny, and played whatever was yelled out. His status grew in my mind, even more so that evening.
Listening to Botorfinger on the way into work was part of a recent ritual. I fell in love with that record many years back.
I’m gutted.
Chris Cornell was the first person to wear a T-shirt over a long-sleeved shirt, well the first person I noticed. His music’s an essential part of my life. Vocally he was unique, his guitar playing heavy and unique. Chris Cornell is my David Bowie, my Freddie Mercury, my Jim Morrison. There’s a hole left in this soul.
What his music did for me was more than any human being can do to save a life, while making you feel connected to this world. Chris Cornell/Soundgardern/Temple of the Dog/Audioslave did this for me.
On Twitter recently, Chris posted a vid of Matt Cameron driving. Chris was sitting next to him, Kim and Ben in the back. The tweet read “What I look forward to the most… is the camaraderie. It’s what we missed when we weren’t a band”
Thank you, Chris, for the pleasure of allowing all to hear your creations.
My sympathies go to his wife, children and his musical brothers and sisters.
There has never been and will never be, another.
Header image by Jeff Lipsky
