Chris Cornell Passes Away Hours After Detroit Soundgarden Performance

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— RageAgainsTheMachine (@RATM) May 18, 2017

The music world fell on black days in Detroit this week. Singer Chris Cornell died unexpectedly Wednesday night, May 17 while on tour with his band Soundgarden. He was 52. Cornell leaves behind his wife Vicky as well as three children, Toni, Lillian, and Chris Jr.

Cornell astounded audience members with his powerful four-octave vocal range. Born in Seattle, Cornell first joined a cover band with bass player Hiro Yamamato in the ’80s. By 1984, Cornell and Yamamato recruited Kim Thayil on guitar and formed Soundgarden.

He will always be remembered by Gen-X’ers as the voice of their generation with movies like Cameron Crowe’s, “Singles” cementing his image forever as one of the premier voices of the Seattle Grunge Scene, along with Eddie Vedder and Kurt Cobain. 

As the show at Detroit’s Fox Theater on Wednesday came to an end last night, Soundgarden opted to cover of Led Zeppelin’s “In My Time of Dying.” They have covered the song before but this particular version came with an eerie morbid twist. Just hours later, Cornell was found dead. Medical examiners have confirmed that the cause of death was by hanging.

The last song Soundgarden played last night was Slaves & Bulldozers with a “In My Time of Dying” refrain.

    In my time of dying, I want nobody to mourn
    All I want for you to do is take my body home
        -- In My Time Of Dying by Led Zeppelin"


Chris’s last Twitter post from Detroit.

#Detroit finally back to Rock City!!!! @soundgarden #nomorebullshit pic.twitter.com/BqXx9veFoD

— Chris Cornell (@chriscornell) May 18, 2017

Even while on the road, Chris made sure to send a loving message to his wife and the mother of his three children, Vicky.

To my @vickycornell you are an angel and a lioness. The perfect mother and the perfect wife. I love you! Happy #MothersDay2017 pic.twitter.com/Olv4Wyh1zD

— Chris Cornell (@chriscornell) May 14, 2017

Our world has gone black but we recall Chris’s last version of “Black Hole Sun” in Detroit last night.

Recently Chris has released a new song, “The Promise,” with all proceeds donated to The International Rescue Committee.

Sadly Chris leaves this world too soon, much like his peers Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, Layne Stanley of Alice in Chains, and Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots.

The Melomaniacs leave you with Chris’ performance of Prince’s “Nothing Compares To You” from a performance at Sirius XM‘s Lithium Channel Studio in 2015.

Reactions from others:

Soundgarden were the first grunge band to sign to a major label, paving the way for Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains. RIP Chris Cornell. pic.twitter.com/9Jf8jdQOqf

— Eric Alper (@ThatEricAlper) May 18, 2017

Rest …Peace pic.twitter.com/YcN7QECCo0

— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) May 18, 2017

RIP Chris Cornell
Incredibly Talented
Incredibly Young
Incredibly Missed. pic.twitter.com/pKNI4tKiXz

— Jimmy Page (@JimmyPage) May 18, 2017

Chris Cornell was the real deal. A great voice, one of the best. And a sense of damned humor. RIP.

— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) May 18, 2017

? His voice was always one of my favorites. Rest with the angels, Chris Cornell https://t.co/l38tZAHE7F

— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) May 18, 2017

Chris Cornell? Doesn’t even seem possible. What an incredible talent. Me and teenage me are both heartbroken.

— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) May 18, 2017

Today we lost a legend. R.I.P Chris Cornell. https://t.co/vahnU1XGRb pic.twitter.com/Ll6wSryqkg

— iHeartRadio (@iHeartRadio) May 18, 2017

Sad 2 hear of Chris Cornell passing..great singer and artist… another blow…RIP

— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) May 18, 2017

Shocked and saddened by the sudden death of @chriscornell. A great singer, songwriter and the loveliest man. pic.twitter.com/Hwdgst8kmg

— Elton John (@eltonofficial) May 18, 2017

Very sad news about Chris Cornell today. A sad loss of a great talent to the world, his friends and family. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/BlgxE6cJLH

— Joe Perry (@JoePerry) May 18, 2017

Tears in my eyes that this is your last ever tweet. We played here with u guys in 1992 ?thanks for your pipes @chriscornell u will b missed https://t.co/Xgbann0hd4

— Sebastian Bach (@sebastianbach) May 18, 2017

We’ll miss you Chris. Great artist. Solid person! #chriscornell pic.twitter.com/bkmL7ZUKlO

— Michael Franti (@michaelfranti) May 18, 2017

Rest in peace Chris Cornell. You may be gone but your music will live on.

Lollapalooza 2010 photo by Dave Mead pic.twitter.com/OHTqPehigj

— Lollapalooza (@lollapalooza) May 18, 2017

SO SO stunned to hear about Chris Cornell! Such a terrible and sad loss! Thinking of his family tonight! RIP

— Dave Navarro (@DaveNavarro) May 18, 2017

I AM SO SADDENED BY CHRIS CORNELL PASSING. @soundgarden
TOTAL SHOCK.GREAT MAN.GREAT BAND.GREAT LOSS. LOVE TO EVERYONE IN HIS WORLD. XXX

— GAVIN ROSSDALE (@GavinRossdale) May 18, 2017

RIP Chris Cornell. Such a tremendous loss. pic.twitter.com/T166hfNBpC

— Goo Goo Dolls (@googoodolls) May 18, 2017

We will continue to provide reactions by others as they become available.