Inspired to play by The Beatles, Cornell joined Seattle covers band The Shemps, while working as a chef. When they split in the early 1980s, he formed Soundgarden with two former Shemps members, Hiro Yamamoto on bass and Kim Thayil on guitar. The recruitment of drummer Matt Cameron allowed Cornell to concentrate on singing and Soundgarden trailblazed Seattle's grunge movement with Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains.

With themes of alienation and despair, their 'Superunknown' album in 1994 was their breakthrough, including hit singles 'Spoonman' and 'Black Hole Sun'. The band's move away from the trademark heavy guitar sound on 1996's 'Down on the Upside' album met a mixed response and triggered Soundgarden's split with Cornell joining members of Rage Against the Machine in Audioslave. After three successful albums, he launched his solo career, writing and singing the theme song 'You Know My Name' for the James Bond movie 'Casino Royale'.

Early in 2010 Soundgarden announced their reunion. They released their sixth album 'King Animal' two years later and they embarked on a tour, all while Cornell continued with his solo projects. Cornell also continued his work with Audioslave until their split in 2007 and he announced his next solo album 'Higher Truth' for 2015.

On 17th May 2017 Cornell performed at the Fox Theatre in Detroit with Soundgarden. Later that night, after the show, Cornell committed suicide. He was 52 years old.

Chris Cornell

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