CREED and ART OF ANARCHY frontman Scott Stapp paid tribute to Chris Cornell by singing the chorus to the SOUNDGARDEN classic “Black Hole Sun” at a concert in Pennsylvania.

Stapp, who is in the middle of his “Live And Unplugged” spring tour, took a moment during his May 18 show at The Pullo Center in York to honor Cornell, the SOUNDGARDEN singer who was found dead in his hotel room after performing a show in Detroit on Wednesday evening. Officials later confirmed he had hanged himself.

Fan-filmed video footage of Stapp‘s “Black Hole Sun” rendition can be seen below.

A few weeks ago, Stapp was asked by Loudwire to name “the greatest pure rock singer.” Scott responded (hear audio below): “You could go back to [LED] ZEPPELIN and talk about Robert Plant. [But] I think I’ll throw something in that’s more current rock history as opposed to rock and roll history from inception. And I would say someone who’s still around today, who’s still making records, who’s in multiple bands and always delivers… I’d say currently Chris Cornell. Not only his vocal range and his style, but just his songwriting and his delivery. He brings it, man. I’m really a huge fan of him and everything that he’s done. I just think all around, he’s an extremely talented artist, songwriter, singer and guitar player. He can do so many different things to evoke emotion, man, from the soulfulness to the top end of his range when he gets metal and aggressive to his choice of melodies and how the melody in itself, despite what he’s saying, can incite emotion. So I think he’ll go down in history as one of the greats.”

In addition to releasing four solo albums, Cornell fronted AUDIOSLAVE which he formed with RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE members Tim Commerford, Tom Morello and Brad Wilk. The supergroup released three studio albums before disbanding in 2007.

SOUNDGARDEN was set to headline Rock On The Range on Friday, May 19 in Columbus, Ohio.

Richard Patrick has credited Chris Cornell for saving his life when they met a decade and a half ago while they were both trying to get sober.

The FILTER frontman was one of many musicians who paid tribute on social media to Cornell, the SOUNDGARDEN singer who was found dead in his hotel room after performing a show in Detroit on Wednesday evening. Officials later confirmed he had hanged himself.

Patrick wrote on Instagram: “On September 28, 2002, I was ready to stop drinking so I went to a facility in Malibu to get sober. I was extremely skeptical and as an atheist I did not want to really try. Newcomers like me always want to shit-can everything. I woke up to some old guy saying, ‘I hear you’re a singer.’ I said ‘yes’ and he said, ‘There’s some other guy here from a band called GARDENS OF SOUND or some shit. You guys might get along.’ He was talking about Chris Cornell.

“I took my first baby steps into a program of recovery that lasted all this time with Chris‘s help. Chris said, ‘I know this shit feels goofy, but it’s the only deal in town that seems to work.’ I wouldn’t have gotten it if Chris didn’t legitimize the whole thing for me. For 28 days, Chris helped lead the way.

“You saved my life, buddy. I’ll never forget you. #chriscornell #gonetoosoon”

Cornell admitted to becoming a “daily drug user” at the age of just 13 and returning to drug use after SOUNDGARDEN disbanded in 1997. He said he used “everything,” describing himself as a “pioneer” in the use of OxyContin. In the mid-2000s, he went to rehab. “I’m not sure if it was the best place for me, but it worked,” he later said.

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE drummer Brad Wilk has paid tribute to Chris Cornell, saying that his former AUDIOSLAVE bandmate was “a smart, sweet and gentle soul.”

AUDIOSLAVE featured Cornell alongside Wilk and fellow RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE members Tim Commerford (bass) and Tom Morello (guitar).

AUDIOSLAVE came together in 2001 following the then-dissolution of both SOUNDGARDEN and RAGE, releasing three studio albums and a historic concert set recorded in Cuba before Cornell exited in 2007, ending the band.

In an Instagram post, Wilk wrote about Cornell: “The sadness of you leaving I can not begin to describe here. So close to home. I was in awe of your talent. The time I was able to spend with you, which was not enough, I will forever cherish. At your core, you were a smart, sweet and gentle soul. This is how I will always remember you. Love you Chris. Hard to believe this picture marks the last time I will ever see you here on earth.”

AUDIOSLAVE performed together for the first time in over a decade on January 20, reuniting at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles as part of the Anti-Inaugural Ball, a star-studded concert protesting the swearing-in of Donald Trump as the nation’s 45th president. The band played three of its best-known songs: “Cochise”, “Like A Stone” and “Show Me How To Live”.

Cornell was found dead in his hotel room after performing a show with SOUNDGARDEN in Detroit on Wednesday evening. Officials later confirmed he had hanged himself.

Alice Cooper has paid tribute to Chris Cornell, saying the SOUNDGARDEN frontman “had the best voice in rock and roll.”

Chris co-wrote and performed on Alice‘s songs “Stolen Prayer” and “Unholy War”, which appeared on Alice‘s 1994 album “The Last Temptation”.

Cornell performed a concert with SOUNDGARDEN at the Fox Theatre in Detroit on Wednesday night (May 17) and was found dead in his hotel room at midnight. His death has since been ruled a suicide.

In a statement released on Thursday, Cooper said: “Chris Cornell, in our circle, was known as ‘The Voice’ because he had the best voice in rock and roll.

“I was lucky enough to write and record two songs with him. His death comes as a total shock to all of us. ‘Black Hole Sun’ will live on as a classic, and his is a true legacy of rock and roll.”

In 2007, Cooper presented Cornell with the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for Chris‘s “dedication and support of the MusiCares MAP Fund and his devotion to helping other addicts with the recovery process.” The MusiCares MAP Fund provides financial and other assistance to musicians in need of addiction recovery services, regardless of their ability to pay.
STONE SOUR paid tribute to Chris Cornell by performing a cover version of SOUNDGARDEN‘s “Outshined” Thursday night (May 18) at the Rock On The Range Kick-Off Party at Express Live! (formerly LC Pavilion) in Columbus, Ohio.

Prior into launching into the song, STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor addressed the crowd, telling them: “We lost a rock and roll brother today. As you know, we lost Chris Cornell from SOUNDGARDEN today, sadly. He was one of my favorite singers, he was one of my favorite fucking all-time songwriters, and the fact that he’s gone makes this world a little bit smaller. So one time, make some fucking noise for Chris Cornell. I had the pleasure of hanging out with him, and he was, honestly, one of the coolest motherfuckers I have ever met in my fucking life. So we decided that we were gonna pay a little tribute to Mr. Cornell tonight. We learned this song today. In fact, I’m not completely sure we’ve learned it. But goddamn it, we’re gonna give it our fucking best. I’m gonna do my best.”

Fan-filmed video footage of STONE SOUR‘s “Outshined” performance can be seen below.

Cornell performed a concert with SOUNDGARDEN at the Fox Theatre in Detroit on Wednesday night (May 17) and was found dead in his hotel room at midnight. His death has since been ruled a suicide.

STONE SOUR‘s new album, “Hydrograd”, will be released on June 30 via Roadrunner. The disc was recorded at Sphere Studios in North Hollywood, California with producer Jay Ruston, who has previously worked with ANTHRAX and STEEL PANTHER.

LINKIN PARK frontman Chester Bennington has paid tribute to SOUNDGARDEN singer Chris Cornell in a heartfelt open letter.

Cornell performed a concert with SOUNDGARDEN at the Fox Theatre in Detroit on Wednesday night (May 17) and was found dead in his hotel room at midnight. His death has since been ruled a suicide.

In a post on Instagram, Bennington wrote: “I dreamt about THE BEATLES last night. I woke up with [BEATLES song] ‘Rocky Raccoon’ playing in my head and a concerned look on my wife’s face. She told me my friend has just passed away. Thoughts of you flooded my mind and I wept. I’m still weeping, with sadness, as well as gratitude for having shared some very special moments with you and your beautiful family.”

Bennington continued: “You have inspired me in many ways you could never have known. Your talent was pure and unrivaled. Your voice was joy and pain, anger and forgiveness, love and heartache all wrapped up into one. I suppose that’s what we all are. You helped me understand that.

“I just watched a video of you singing ‘A Day In The Life’ by THE BEATLES and thought of my dream. I’d like to think you were saying goodbye in your own way.

“I can’t imagine a world without you in it. I pray you find peace in the next life. I send my love to your wife and children, friends and family. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life.”

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitarist Tom Morello has paid tribute to Chris Cornell, saying that his former AUDIOSLAVE bandmate’s “beautiful voice and beautiful self will always be in my heart.”AUDIOSLAVE featured Cornell alongside Morello and fellow RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE members Tim Commerford (bass) and Brad Wilk (drums).

AUDIOSLAVE came together in 2001 following the then-dissolution of both SOUNDGARDEN and RAGE, releasing three studio albums and a historic concert set recorded in Cuba before Cornell exited in 2007, ending the band.

In an Instagram post, Morello wrote about Cornell: “I love you, brother. Thank you for your friendship and your humor and your intellect and your singular and unmatched talent. It was a great honor to know you as a friend and as a band mate. I am devastated and deeply saddened that you are gone, dear friend, but your unbridled rock power, delicate haunting melodies and the memory of your smile are with us forever. Your beautiful voice and beautiful self will always be in my heart. God bless you and your family.”

AUDIOSLAVE performed together for the first time in over a decade on January 20, reuniting at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles as part of the Anti-Inaugural Ball, a star-studded concert protesting the swearing-in of Donald Trump as the nation’s 45th president. The band played three of its best-known songs: “Cochise”, “Like A Stone” and “Show Me How To Live”.

MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine has paid tribute to Chris Cornell, saying that the world has “lost one of the most beautiful voices in rock.”

Cornell performed a concert with SOUNDGARDEN at the Fox Theatre on Wednesday night (May 17) and was found dead in his Detroit hotel room at midnight.

Police in Detroit told Billboard that they are investigating Cornell‘s death as a possible suicide.

During MEGADETH‘s May 18 concert in Tokyo, Japan, Mustaine addressed Cornell‘s passing, telling the crowd (see video below): “Chris Cornell died today. Very sad. Very sad. Chris Cornell from SOUNDGARDEN — he died. Very sad. When I found out, I was so, so sad. Chris Cornell, a friend of mine, a friend of all of us from SOUNDGARDEN, died today and we have lost one of the most beautiful voices in rock and in history. And I don’t even know what to say other than we’re gonna dedicate this next song to you, our friends in Tokyo, ’cause we’re here with you and we love you so much and we wanna celebrate Chris‘s life today.”

He continued: “Now, I don’t sing like Chris, I could never sing like Chris, but we’re gonna sing a song right now. And if you know the words, sing with me. If you don’t know the words, then just make noise.

“I love you, Chris. I’ll see you one day up in heaven.”

MEGADETH then proceeded to perform a cover of SOUNDGARDEN‘s “Outshined”, with Mustaine handling only lead vocals while accompanied by his bandmates.

Video below courtesy of Josh Chalmers at JCPIX

he reactions continue to come in concerning the sudden death of Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell. Fozzy frontman Chris Jericho dropped by the Loudwire studios shortly after learning of the news of the singer’s passing and shared his thoughts on the death of one of rock’s truly unique voices.

In our chat, Jericho told us that he woke up to a text about Cornell’s death and had to research it to make sure that the news was true. It took him by surprise, especially after crossing paths with Soundgarden just last week at Northern Invasion.

“It blows my mind that four out of the five big five grunge band singers have passed away,” stated Jericho, who added, “I always liked Soundgarden the best out of all them because of the vocals. He was basically a heavy metal singer.”

The vocalist reflected on his introduction to Soundgarden through Cornell’s “crazy vocals” on the song “Jesus Christ Pose,” and even though he was very much a metal guy and grunge was taking over, he couldn’t deny the power of Cornell’s voice.

“No one ever really sounded like Cornell and no matter what projects he did whether he was singing and belting it out or doing a song like ‘Like a Stone’ from Audioslave where it was more introspective, his tone and his power and range were unlike anybody else,” says Jericho.

“I don’t know if Cornell influenced my vocals per se, but there is some similarities there,” says the singer. “He’s one of those guys where whenever I hear him sing it’s like, ‘Oh, what a great, great singer’ — just a beautiful, powerful, kick you in the f–king face type of a voice, which is very rare because nobody’s really sang like him before. Maybe nobody ever will.”
The music world is mourning the sudden death of Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell, who died last night (May 17) at the age of 52 not long after performing a show with the band at Detroit’s Fox Theater. The tributes have been rolling in from fellow artists, with some offering extended thoughts on the death of Cornell. Among those is Halestorm‘s Lzzy Hale who penned a moving tribute to the singer via her Instagram account.

“There are no words to describe my feelings about Chris Cornell’s sudden passing. His influence on me and the way so many others approached the microphone will always show itself in the music we create,” starts Hale.

She continues, “He is survived by a beautiful daughter whom I heard also has an amazing voice of her own. Chris, we aren’t sure what demons or circumstances brought you to your passing at only 52 … but we thank you for the loudness, the guts, blood and the sweat you gave us in this life … we will all carry your legacy forever.” She ended the posting, expressing, “Say Hello to Heaven,” one of Temple of the Dog‘s most familiar tracks. See her tribute below.

Love discussed her love for Cornell in a NatGeo TV interview last year.

“The reason there was a lot of music coming out the Pacific Northwest, Seattle in particular, was a lot of drugs, a lot of free rent, cheap rent, a lot of garages. When you’re young, an abundance of drugs is certainly not something I’d recommend to anybody else, but it’s like swinging London in the 60’s, and everyone had to try their LSD and get their freak on.”

She added, “The big band that really started it was Soundgarden. I think everyone of a certain age and demographic remembers opening up Your Flesh Fancy, and seeing this picture of Chris Cornell and his Adonis 8-pack body with a microphone wire wrapped around him. He looked really gorgeous, but Soundgarden also happened to be really good. They were a really integral and important band to Seattle.”