Chris Cornell was a hero to many late ’80s and ’90s music fans, a handful of which would become the next generation of musicians. Soundgarden, which he formed with Kim Thayil and Hiro Yamamoto in 1984, paved the way for the Seattle rock music scene. Cornell was one of the four formidable rock gods—along with Alice in Chains’ Layne Staley, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain—who brought that scene to the world stage. If there was one person whose efforts and unsurpassed talent laid the foundation for grunge so the ’90s would be one of the most prolific eras in music, Cornell would be that person.
However, this hero is not without flaws. In a number of interviews, Cornell has confirmed going to rehab for substance abuse, a problem he had been dealing with since he was in his teens. He struggled with depression and anxiety.
Cornell formed Temple of the Dog in 1990 as a tribute to a former roommate who died of heroin overdose. Soundgarden disbanded in 1997, and Cornell pursued a solo career. In 2001, he joined the members of Rage Against the Machine—sans Zack dela Rocha who left the band a year prior—and formed the supergroup Audioslave.
Cornell’s music career, which spans over three decades, is nothing short of prolific. Such greatness seemed unrelenting up until his last show with Soundgarden in Detroit last week, but it would come to an end the morning after.
The rest of the world lost a rock star, but there are those who have lost a hero who gave them their musical roots, inspired them to pick up a guitar, jazz up a riff; whose songs helped them deal with troubled youth or saved them from a broken heart. Super brings you collated sentiments from figures in the local music industry and fans that have been shaken by Chris Cornell’s untimely death; people who have asked themselves over and over again, “how could we lose Chris Cornell?”
I had the “Louder Than Love” album and found it intriguing. Soundgarden became one of my all-time fave bands with their heavy riffs, tasteful use of odd meters and open tunings, rich melodies… and yeah, Chris Cornell’s incredible and versatile vocals. Cornell wrote songs that have unconventional structures but ALWAYS with a catchy melody and vocals that evoked menace to tenderness and all points in between.
So devastated by this loss… and sad to know that he struggled with depression that he seemed to overcome based on the interviews he gave. May he finally find his personal peace.
Francis Brew Reyes, The Dawn/Stereodeal/GILT guitarist; BillboardPH EIC
Soundgarden’s “Superunknown” was one of the few albums that changed my life when I discovered it in 6th grade. That album made me write songs.
Friends would tease me about stealing Cornell’s look. I didn’t mind, the guy’s a good-looking dude. Wish I owned a speck of that voice though.
I remember having this imaginary album for my imaginary band called “Feel the Pain” and nicking my supposed-to-be “single” from the melody of “Superunknown.” I was 11 or 12. Nobody knew who Cornell was in my class, save for two or three people who were my friends.
I remember being in awe of the groovy bass line of “The Day I Tried to Live.” Then came that calm soothing voice. Then the wailing chorus. That signature wail. Still one of my all-time fave songs.
I remember hearing the Beatlesque “Sunshower” from “The Great Expectations” OST and how it pushes my ducts to shed extra man tears. Sweet comfort.
RIP Chris Cornell.
Ahmad Tanji, Vocalist and Guitarist, We Are Imaginary
There aren’t many bands from my high school years that I still listen to nowadays, but Soundgarden is one that I tend to revisit every now and then. It was Cornell’s voice that stole the show. On their earlier records, he sang like a freaking trumpet. I didn’t pay much attention to Audioslave or his solo work, but Soundgarden was the weird, heavy band that became huge, and their weirdness was a formative influence to me as a musician.
Jason Caballa, Guitarist- Pedicab and Cheats; music critic
He was the epitome of the brooding sexy rock star. He was one of the last few good ones. I’ve always said that people stopped making good music when the ’90s ended. With Chris Cornell gone I feel like this period of bad music is no longer just a phase but is here to stay, because we are running out of the greats. Or am I just a ’90s loyalist? Somebody wrap Dave Grohl and Eddie Vedder in bubble wrap, man!
Kristi Gallaga, Assistant director for TV commercials
I was about 12 when Grunge exploded. Soundgarden’s “Superunknown” is one of the very first CDs that I’ve ever owned. Every time I hear the song “The Day I Tried To Live,” it takes me back to a time when I would buy albums and go to our living room to listen to them using my stepdad’s Sony CD player. I wanted to be just like him. I was stunned in disbelief and heartbreak when I heard the news. Thank you for the music, Chris.
Tj Brillantes, Drummer, Greyhoundz
An absence which inflicts deep emotional wounds, having touched millions of souls. Like a distant wave on the horizon, you see it coming, but don’t expect it to hit the shore so soon. His turmoil has ended. We grieve not for his passing but for ourselves because we’ll miss him. Rest assured, he didn’t leave his home on this earth, he has gone home.
Stephen Lavoie, Founder, iRock Photography
I used to play Soundgarden really loud in the NU booth just to feel the top of my skull open up. No one sings like Chris. I thought I still had a chance to watch him sing live. I’m pretty heartbroken.
Rest in peace Chris. I’m truly and deeply sad I’ll never get to see you live.
Myrene Academia, Bassist-Sandwich and Imago; former NU107 disc jockey
I guess I’d associate my high school years with alternative or grunge. Chris Cornell, wow. He can shriek and wail and still be in tune. At that time, his was the most powerful voice that I’d ever heard. Even my Mom liked him.
It was when “Singles” came out that I was even more impressed, like wow—screaming on “Birth Ritual” then—soft on “Seasons”? And then there’s Temple of the Dog’s “Hunger Strike” with him perfectly complementing Eddie’s voice.
As years went by I discovered so many other bands and, frankly, I outgrew them. It was only in recent Spotify years, when I made a playlist to honor my wonderful, wonderful high school years, when I remembered that I was once a fan of Soundgarden. And on a recent quiet drive along SCTEx, “Seasons” was the perfect song, reminding me, “ah I still really love this song.” I’m still a fan of this voice.
Sunshine Reyes, Ex-teenage grunge fan
In Soundgarden’s song “Fell On Black Days,” Chris Cornell sings the line: “How would I know that this could be my fate?” I remember asking my parents to buy me a copy of “Superunknown” on cassette after seeing the video for “Spoonman” on TV. I would listen to it while I read the lyrics and tried to figure out the artwork on the album cover. My dad tried to learn “Black Hole Sun” on guitar. I remember asking a friend to teach me the main riff for “Fell On Black Days.” I love Chris’ melodies and Soundgarden’s odd time beats. Chris can sing the most soothing notes one moment then all of a sudden let out a beautiful shriek. His voice sounded perfect all the time. Thank you for the melodies, Chris.
Popz Salenga, Electronic Music Artist- We Talk In Codes
Grew up to Temple of the Dog, “Bad Motorfinger,” “Superunknown,” the “Singles” OST and “Down On The Upside.” Their music is very hard to cover. I only could do the intros. Not a big fan of his solo stuff (but I like “Sunshower” and of course “Seasons”) and Audioslave though. I thought he wouldn’t be the type to kill himself. For sure I lost one of my heroes that were part of my formative years as a musician. And in his last days I’m glad he reformed with Soundgarden.
Diego Mapa, Monsterbot, Pedicab, Cambio, Eggboy and Tarsius
Soundgarden was one of the bands I admired and listened to. I really am not a super hardcore fan, but I know how distinct Chris Cornell’s voice was, and how his words can cut through you. And then there was Audioslave. Their first album offered something new, but felt very familiar because of Chris’ undeniably spectacular vocals. Chris was like no other. You know how it is when you hear a new song and confidently know who sang it? I know his voice. We know his voice. Thank you, sir, for reminding us again how short life really is, and that even rock stars aren’t all comfortable with the spotlight. Salamat.
Jaycie Tanseco-Flores, Other half of Jaycie & Honey; ’90s worshipper
I have the song “Fell On Black Days” on my phone, on my USB flash drive, on a mix CD, and even a mix tape all the way back in college. It’s a song that’s deep and dark and rings true for everyone as we all go through dark or “black days” at least once in our lives. To the great Chris Cornell, thank you for writing this song and for your artistry. You are not only one of the best male rock vocalists that ever lived; YOU ARE ONE OF THE BEST VOCALISTS IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND.
Aan Santos, vocalist of glam rock band Lucid, events organizer, music events producer
I’ve had the privilege of seeing all the ’90s grunge bands live, except two: Nirvana and sadly now Soundgarden. The untimely demise of Kurt and Chris, my college heroes, will never make this dream a reality. Good on you FM radio stations playing uninterrupted ’90s throwback songs in homage to Chris. I never thought it was possible to have a lump in my throat while fighting back the tears to the tune of “Spoonman.”
Xeng Zulueta, Makeup artist/College sophomore in ’93
My journey to self-discovery began at 16. I felt freedom for the first time as I had just started living in a dorm outside campus, no rules. I was overflowing with angst and I started going to rock gigs to feed my soul. I started listening to all kinds of genre so discovering Chris Cornell—Soundgarden, Audioslave, Temple of the Dog—was inevitable. “Sunshower” was my first Cornell song and it couldn’t have happened at a better time in my life. I was an angry kid looking for an escape and I found myself listening to him tell me it was all right over and over again. The rest was history.
A few days ago his death was announced and that chapter of my life flashed before my eyes. His music was so much a part of my life, and damn that man could cover a song as if he was f*cking writing and living those words right then and there. He wasn’t just a record. His music and I, we were friends.
Niña Defensor, Makeup artist/Microblading artist/Former prod organizer
Your music often speaks about vulnerability and a fractured life. It’s an irony that you somehow helped me pick up the pieces and healed my brokenness. You were there for me when my life was disintegrating. The song “Show Me How to Live” snapped me from doing the unthinkable when I was having the same thoughts as you did before you took your own life. This is the reason I’m having a difficult time believing you’ve gone to the other side. You saved my life and I couldn’t save yours. I just know that here or in the afterlife, you will always play a significant role even if you didn’t know me at all.
Marlet Salazar, “Superunknown” fan
That voice. Wow. Chris Cornell’s songs, from his Audioslave frontman days to his solo stint, somehow made me feel like a badass driving down the road or a sexy beast walking down the street. It made me feel good, especially when it felt like things were spiraling out of control. And that voice. Wow wow. Ang sexy lang eh.
Funny how I was searching my hard drive for his song “Long Gone” (from the album “Scream”) when I saw the news of his passing. Sayang, nakakainis. It’s even more frustrating after reading an article on his last few hours. I wish he found peace in his music, like how I found mine in his.
Kei Gabutero, Guro by day, gitarista by night
I first encountered Chris Cornell and Soundgarden during the very early years of Wolfgang. We were learning cover songs to perform for our new gig at Weekends Live! in the Atrium in Makati. Soundgarden wasn’t even being played on the radio yet at the time. It was Miguel Ortigas of Razorback who had the album before anyone else in the country, I think. It was the song, “Jesus Christ Pose” that got my attention. And just like the rest of rock ‘n’ roll world, I fell in love with Soundgarden and became a huge fan. Then the “Temple of the Dog” album hit the country and it was awesome as well. I was heartbroken when Soundgarden broke up in the late ’90s. But, when Cornell’s solo album, “Euphoria Morning” came out, it was another side of him that no one knew existed and it was another awesome discovery. That’s when the world realized how talented Cornell really was.
When Audioslave formed in 2002, and the video of “Cochise” came out, I was instantly hooked. The marriage of RATM and Chris Cornell was, to me, the reincarnation of Led Zeppelin.
I’ve been fortunate to have seen and hear Cornell live. Twice with Audioslave and with Soundgarden during their reunion tour. Cornell fronting both bands was phenomenal. His passing is such a huge loss and the way he died is so heartbreaking. I am so sad for his bandmates and his family. All his fans and myself are in shock and have no idea why he would do that. Eddie Vedder is the only frontman left from that generation and it is eerily haunting that they all died from self-inflicted causes. As long as rock music lives, his music and voice will be heard for years and generations to come. God-willing, we will live to be older people telling the teenagers of 2050 how we witnessed the power of Chris Cornell.
Wolf Gemora, Drummer of Wolfgang, Lokomotiv and 3 Headed Dog
Out of the “Big 4” Grunge bands (Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Nirvana and of course, Soundgarden), Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell had the sickest vocals of them all. During tough times, I found peace with his music. He was my drug, so to speak. Because of Soundgarden (and Pearl Jam), I found the inspiration to go back to playing the piano and it also led me to learn the guitar and drums as well. Just two weeks prior to his sudden passing, I had a Soundgarden/ Audioslave marathon while I was at work. So sad.
Balou Salomon, IT consultant/musician
His was the voice that launched a thousand rock bands, maybe more.
Back then, I was in junior high school and I was just starting to discover what I like about music. This noisy, loud, sound that came out of the cassette player that was sent to us by my overseas Filipino worker aunt from Dubai was crucial in forming my musical preference.
A couple of weeks ago we organized a Grunge night where we got bands to play music from that era. My friend and I formed this band for that event and one of our cover songs, lo and behold, was going to be “Black Hole Sun.” I’ve been dreading playing that song since high school and now it couldn’t have been more timely. We played the sh*t out of that song and we had a damn good time with it. It was a fear that I happily faced and conquered. Twelve days after, Chris Cornell was found dead and there was silence.
Francis Gaerlan, Architect/guitarist, Mozzie