The music world was shocked to learn that rock icon Chris Cornell “suddenly and unexpectedly” passed away on Wednesday night at 52. His cause of death is still unknown. The grunge legend was in Detroit at the time performing with Soundgarden, whose best-known album, the five-times platinum Superunknown, won a pair of Grammys. The Seattle-born Cornell also lent his unmistakable four-octave vocal range to Audioslave and Temple of the Dog.
“His wife Vicky and family were shocked to learn of his sudden and unexpected passing, and they will be working closely with the medical examiner to determine the cause,” his representative, Brian Bumbery, wrote in a statement. “They would like to thank his fans for their continuous love and loyalty and ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”
The news was especially shocking because just last month, Cornell said that Soundgarden was “halfway through” writing a new album, the band’s first since 2012’s King Animal. “What I look forward to the most, because I tour so much, especially the last couple of years, by myself, is the camaraderie,” he said. “It’s what we missed when we weren’t a band. When I do solo tours, I’m really kind of alone all the time, so that’s the best thing about it.”
Cornell will be missed, as evidence by the tributes from his fellow rock stars.
RIP Chris Cornell
Incredibly Talented
Incredibly Young
Incredibly Missed. pic.twitter.com/pKNI4tKiXz— Jimmy Page (@JimmyPage) May 18, 2017
Chris Cornell. Damn. Was legit just playing "Outshined" yesterday. Such a loss.
— St. Vincent (@st_vincent) 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
Chris Cornell was a gentleman and a true artist. Barbara, Michael and the entire Bond family mourn this tragic loss. pic.twitter.com/lLhz87LPyG
— James Bond (@007) May 18, 2017
RIP Chris Cornell. Chris was the most influential singer to me as a writer. I just saw him perform days ago. Completely devastated
— – (@MarkTremonti) May 18, 2017
A mutual friend called me and tells me my bro passed away. #RIPChrisCornell You are a great artist Love to Vicki and fam @nilerodgers pic.twitter.com/FhG0fhT0q1
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) May 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/DaveNavarro/status/865114181707616256
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
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. So young. So sad 😞 pic.twitter.com/61JjmdVFDC
— Bethany Cosentino (@BethanyCoast) May 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/AlexAllTimeLow/status/865137395443748866
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
Sad 2 hear of Chris Cornell passing..great singer and artist… another blow…RIP
— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) May 18, 2017
— Rage Against The Machine ★ (@RATM) May 18, 2017
