A remarkable voice and a talent that will be sorely missed.
Emotional tributes have been paid to musician Chris Cornell, best known as the lead singer of Soundgarden and Audioslave, after the tragic news that he passed away aged 52.
In a statement to The Associated Press, Cornell’s representative, Brian Bumbery, said that Cornell had died in Detroit on Wednesday night and that his death was “sudden and unexpected”.
Cornell’s wife and family were said to be shocked by the death and the statement said that they would be working closely with the medical examiner to determine the cause.
As a singer, Cornell had one of the most distinctive voices in rock music as he grabbed the world’s attention as the founder and frontman for Temple of the Dog.
It would be Cornell’s next band though that took his career into the stratosphere as Soundgarden – alongside Alice in Chains, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam – emerged from the underground Seattle scene to change music history.
During his later career, Cornell formed Audioslave with former former Rage Against the Machine members Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk before embarking on a successful solo career that saw him release five albums.
It’s apparent that music and life has deeply touched plenty of people. RIP.
RIP Chris Cornell
Incredibly Talented
Incredibly Young
Incredibly Missed. pic.twitter.com/pKNI4tKiXz— Jimmy Page (@JimmyPage) May 18, 2017
Devastating news about Chris Cornell One of the greatest voices in rock . My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and close friends
— Jason Bonham (@Jason_Bonham) 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
Wow…this one is shocking. Chris Cornell was one of the benchmark vocalists of our generation…devastating loss. #RIPChrisCornell pic.twitter.com/x3F9rptL0D
— Mike Portnoy 🤘 (@MikePortnoy) May 18, 2017
Sad 2 hear of Chris Cornell passing..great singer and artist… another blow…RIP
— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) 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
Oh man. Sad to hear of the passing of Chris Cornell.
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) May 18, 2017
I hope it's ok with the grief police if I say Chris Cornell's death has come as an unexpected gut punch this morning.
— Ed Byrne (@MrEdByrne) May 18, 2017