There is nowhere to begin but at the beginning: I was soon about to complete my contract with the U.S. Navy and a fellow shipmate of mine had convinced me to attend a random gathering at some random sailor’s apartment in February 1990 in the Norfolk/Virginia Beach Tidewater area of Virginia. Many events such as this consisted of not much more than a cooler of beer and a stereo playing Top 40 tunes in the background. However, we were a geographically diverse crowd, and sometimes attendees would share music from friends’ bands back home. A guy I didn’t even know yelled, “Hey everybody listen up! This is my buddy Kim’s band from back home in Seattle. They just signed to a major label recently!” I even remember the song; it was “Hands All Over” from the Louder Than Love album. It was the first time I had ever heard Soundgarden, and 27 years later, I am still a fan.
Being a loyal devotee for nearly three decades makes the news of Chris Cornell’s passing that much harder and devastating. I am purely and utterly gutted. We lost so many musical legends last year, but I felt like Chris Cornell was a contemporary— only three years older than I am—and he seemed to have so much life ahead of him. I had the pleasure of being a witness to his rise from obscurity towards success, and his loss is overwhelming.
I am not one who puts musicians atop lofty, untouchable pedestals, though every once in a while, I stand back in awestruck astonishment of an individual’s talent. Because of his genius and lyrical insight, his depth, and his ability to deliver his lyrics in that one-of-a-kind, gut-wrenching voice, Chris Cornell was a giant to me. A legend.
And now he is gone.
Carry on into the super unknown Chris, may you find the peace that you are seeking. We are so grateful for you; your music was there for us, I just wish that someone, maybe even one of us fans, could have been there for you. Say “Hello 2 Heaven” (and Andy) Chris, we’re going to miss you.
[This tribute was written by Soundgarden superfan and frequent Eo8 contributor, Hunter MacLeod.]