Chris Cornell was a rock icon who defied categorization, yet he played a pivotal role in shaping the 1990s grunge movement. Renowned for his distinctive voice, Cornell's unique identity as a multi-Grammy award-winning musician, singer, songwriter, and lyricist endured throughout his career.
Born Christopher John Boyle on July 20, 1964, in Seattle, Washington, Cornell was the second-youngest of six siblings. His parents, Karen and Edward, were of mostly Irish, English, Scottish, and Norwegian ancestry. After his parents' divorce, Cornell and his siblings changed their surname to their mother's maiden name.
As a teenager, Cornell rebelled against his Catholic upbringing and was on the verge of being expelled from parochial school when his mother intervened. He experimented with drugs and stealing, which led to an interest in songwriting after finding a collection of Beatles records in his neighbor's basement.
Cornell dropped out of school at 15 to work and support his family. He honed his songwriting and musical skills by playing in bands and eventually formed Soundgarden with Hiro Yamamoto, Kim Thayil, and Matt Cameron in the mid-1980s. The band's dark and edgy soundscapes, coupled with Cornell's incisive lyrics and powerful vocals, captivated audiences and led trends in street fashion and design.
In addition to his work with Soundgarden, Cornell was involved in several side projects, including Temple of the Dog with Eddie Vedder. He married Alice in Chains manager Susan Silver, who also managed Soundgarden, and the couple had a daughter, Lillian Jean.
After Soundgarden disbanded in 1997, Cornell released his solo album "Euphoria Morning," which showcased his versatility as a vocalist and songwriter. However, he was dissatisfied with the album's commercial performance and struggled with social phobias, alcohol abuse, and depression.
In 2000, Cornell collaborated with Rage Against the Machine's remaining members to form Audioslave, a supergroup that released three top-selling albums and became known for their intense live performances. Cornell also contributed solo songs to movie soundtracks and became the first American male singer to write a James Bond theme song.
In his later years, Cornell continued to evolve as an artist, releasing new music and collaborating with other musicians. He married publicist Vicky Karayiannis and had two children. Outside of music, Cornell fronted a fashion designer's collection and helped revive a historic restaurant in Paris.
Tragically, Chris Cornell passed away on May 18, 2017, in Detroit, Michigan. Despite his untimely death, Cornell's legacy as a rock icon and his contributions to the music world continue to inspire and influence new generations of musicians and fans.
