Chris Cornell

BIO FROM CHRISCORNELL.COM

Chris CornellChris Cornell is a rock icon who thrives on contradictions. An innovator who resists genre labels, he was nonetheless the chief architect of the 90s grunge movement. Frequently ranked as one of the best voices in music history, he has successfully maintained his own unique identity over more than two decades as a multi-Grammy award winning musician and universally acclaimed singer, songwriter and lyricist.


Seattle trailblazers Soundgarden were a law to themselves, edgy, dark and deeply individual. Their savage soundscapes, coupled with Cornell’s incisive lyrics and predatory roar, seduced audiences hungry for musical depth and complexity while leading trends in street fashion and iconic design. In 1989, they became the first Seattle band to sign to a major label. Their sound continued to change and evolve over the course of five pioneering albums.


Celebrated side project Temple of the Dog had already shown Cornell’s more soulful side and introduced future Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder to the world. Later, Cornell shocked the business once again with richly melodic, critically acclaimed solo album “Euphoria Morning”, swiftly recognized for its alienation and despair. And as the millennium turned, he joined with three other musical pioneers from rap-rock’s Rage Against The Machine to create Audioslave - a multi-platinum supergroup which lived to deny its detractors, producing three top-selling albums, touring the world and becoming the first American band to bring rock to Castro’s Cuba.


Since then, Cornell has redefined his sound and vision to encompass new music, new collaborations and new activities. Having contributed solo songs to movie soundtracks from “Great Expectations” to “Mission Impossible II”, he became the first American male singer to write the theme song for the James Bond franchise in its most successful film to date, “Casino Royale.” His bold and bluesy reinvention of Michael Jackson dance classic “Billie Jean” courted controversy and attracted imitators. And his triumphant 2007 world tour brought together songs from every stage of his career, reinterpreting them for new audiences and blending their original fire with the shock of the new.


Outside music, Cornell fronted fashion designer John Varvatos’s Spring 2006 collection and settled in Paris with his family, where he has helped revive a historic restaurant, the stylish Black Calavados.

Only the most confident would claim to predict exactly what comes next for Chris Cornell. Always eclectic, always experimental, his new collaboration with super-producer Timbaland – who calls their album “the best work I’ve done in my career” – will take him into fresh territory, establishing a new sound and marking the creation of a masterpiece that breaks all musical boundaries. Only one thing’s for sure – Chris Cornell will continue to break rules, make history and challenge everyone’s expectations.


- Clare O'Brien



Chris Cornell concert dates with Timbaland:
Oct 17 2008 7:00P
Ogden Theatre Denver, Colorado
Oct 18 2008 7:00P
Avalon Theater Salt Lake City, Utah
Oct 19 2008 7:00P
Marquee Theatre Tempe, Arizona
Oct 21 2008 7:00P
Fox Tucson Theater Tucson, Arizona
Oct 22 2008 7:00P
Ventura Theater Ventura, California
Oct 24 2008 7:00P
The Joint Las Vegas, Nevada
Oct 25 2008 7:00P
House Of Blues Los Angeles, California
Oct 26 2008 7:00P
House Of Blues San Diego, California
Oct 28 2008 7:00P
House Of Blues Anaheim, California
Oct 29 2008 7:00P
The Catalyst Santa Cruz, California
Oct 31 2008 7:00P
The Fillmore San Francisco, California
Nov 1 2008 7:00P
Roseland Theater Portland, Oregon
Nov 2 2008 7:00P
Showbox SoDo Seattle, Washington


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Euphoria Morning

    • Released in 1999

      Chris Cornell breaks out on his own away from Soundgarden and spotlights his singer-songwriter talents.  Click To Buy It!
    • Can't Change Me
    • Flutter Girl
    • Preaching The End Of The World
    • Follow My Way
    • When I'm Down
    • Mission
    • Wave Goodbye
    • Moonchild
    • Sweet Euphoria
    • Disappearing One
    • Pillow Of Your Bones
    • Steel Rain





Carry On

    • Released in 2007

      Cornell's second solo project contrasts from his first, returning to a riff-ladened, Soundgarden sound.        Click To Buy It!
    • No Such Thing
    • Poison Eye
    • Arms Around Your Love
    • Safe And Sound
    • She'll Never Be Your Man
    • Ghosts
    • Killing Birds
    • Billie Jean
    • Scar On The Sky
    • Your Soul Today
    • Finally Forever
    • Silence The Voices
    • Disappearing Act
    • You Know My Name










Scream








Soundgarden on FadedFlannel.com - Over 70 NW Artists FeaturedSoundgarden

Chris Cornell, Vocals
Kim Thayil, Guitar
Ben Shepherd, Bass  (1990-1997)
Matt Cameron, Drums  (1986-1997)
Hiro Yamamoto, Bass  (1985-1989)
(Brief Members: Jason Everman, Scott Sundquist)

Soundgarden formed in 1984, Seattle

Formed by Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, and Hiro Yamamoto, Soundgarden was one of the first major players in Seattle and was the first "grunge" band to sign to a major label, A&M. 

Soundgarden is named after a wind-channeling pipe sculpture, "The Sound Garden," located in Seattle's Magnuson Park.  In their earliest days, Chris Cornell played drums while also vocalist.  Other founding members, Kim Thayil and Hiro Yamamoto moved to Seattle together, along with Bruce Pavitt, who would soon start up the famous Seattle indie label Sub Pop.  To allow Cornell to concentrate on his lead vocals, they brought in Scott Sundquist as drummer.  However in 1986, Sundquist quit the band and former Skin Yard drummer, Matt Cameron, was brought in to replace him.

Soundgarden on FadedFlannel.com - Over 70 NW Artists Featured    Soundgarden was one of the first band's that their buddy Pavitt would sign on his Sub Pop label in 1987, releasing the single "Hunted Down" and then the EP Screaming Life later in the year.   In 1988 they signed to SST Records and released their Grammy-nominated debut album, Ultramega OK.  Soundgarden was also one of Seattle's first grunge-labeled bands to sign with a major label.  In 1989, they released their first album for A&M, Louder than Love.  After the release of the album, Yamamoto quit the band to return to college. Jason Everman, formerly of Nirvana, briefly replaced Hiro.  Ben Shepherd soon came in as the permanent bassist.

   With the lineup now settled, they recorded Badmotorfinger in 1991.  In 1992 they joined the Lollapalooza tour with Pearl Jam, Ministry and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  In 1994, Superunknown was released becoming one of the biggest albums of the year, getting two Grammy awards and selling well over three million copies. 
Soundgarden on FadedFlannel.com - Over 70 NW Artists Featured
The band's final album was Down on the Upside, in 1996.  It contained a wealth of hit singles including  "Pretty Noose", "Burden in My Hand" and "Blow Up the Outside World".  During those recording sessions, tensions between Thayil and Cornell blew up over Chris' move away from the heavier guitar that had been the band's signature.   Bad blood reportedly increased during the band's tour in support of the album.  On April 9, 1997, Soundgarden announced they were breaking up to pursue other interests.

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Soundgarden Catalog:


Screaming Life (EP)  /  Fopp (EP)

    • Released in 1987 & 1988

      This compilation combines the band's first two EPs: Screaming Life from 1987 and Fopp from 1988.       Click To Buy It!
    • Hunted Down
    • Entering
    • Tears to Forget
    • Nothing to Say
    • Little Joe
    • Hand of God
    • Kingdom of Come
    • Swallow My Pride
    • Fopp
    • Fopp  [Dub]



Ultramega OK
     Click the Track to Preview and Download MP3





Flower  (EP)
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Loudest Love

    • Released in 1990

      Beatle's cover song "Come Together" features producer Jack Endino on backing vocals.  Click To Buy It!
    • Loud Love
    • Hands All Over
    • Get On The Snake
    • Heretic
    • Come Together
    • Fresh Deadly Roses
    • Big Dumb Sex  [Dub Version]


Louder Than Love
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Louder Than Live  (VHS)

    • Released in 1990

      Features 5 songs performed live at the Whisky A Go-Go in L.A. in 1989. It also footage of 2 songs in the studio.  Click To Buy It!
    • Concert Footage:
    • Get on the Snake
    • Gun
    • I Awake
    • Big Dumb Sex
    • Medley: Big Bottom/Earache My Eye
    • In Studio Footage:
    • Loud Love
    • Hands All Over
    • On The CD:
    • Beyond the Wheel
    • Get on the Snake
    • Hunted Down
    • I Awake
    • Gun
    • Big Dumb Sex
    • Big Bottom
    • Earache My Eye







Badmotorfinger
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Badmotorfinger / SOMMS  (Satanoscillatemymetallicsonatas)

    • Released 1992

      Package includes the full "Badmotorfinger" album and the EP "SOMMS" featuring three cover songs.         Click To Buy It!
    • Includes the tracks listed above, Plus:
    • Into the Void (Sealth)   [Black Sabbath]
    • Girl U Want   [Devo]
    • Stray Cat Blues   [The Rolling Stones]
    • She's a Politician
    • Slaves & Bulldozers  [Live]


Rusty Cage  (Import Single)

    • Released 1992

      Import of the 4-track single from the UK, Germany and Australia. Click To Buy It!
    • Rusty Cage  [Edit]
    • Rusty Cage  [LP version]
    • Touch Me
    • Stray Cat Blues


Motorvision  (VHS)

    • Released in 1992

      Recorded over two nights at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, on March 5 & 6, 1992. Click To Buy It
    • Includes live performances as well as interview footage:
    • Searching With My Good Eye Closed
    • Rusty Cage
    • Outshined
    • Little Joe
    • Mind Riot
    • Room A Thousand Years Wide
    • Jesus Christ Pose
    • Slaves & Bulldozers


Superunknown
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Spoonman  (Import Single)

    • Released in 1994

      Four tracks released on the European version of the single for "Spoonman".   Click To Buy It!
    • Spoonman
    • Fresh Tendrils
    • Cold Bitch
    • Exit Stonehenge



The Day I Tried To Live  (Single)

    • Released in 1994

      USA Promo and European Import CD includes the acoustic version of "Like Suicide" & live "Kickstand" Click To Buy It!
    • The Day I Tried To Live
    • Like Suicide  [Acoustic]
    • Kickstand  [Live]


Fell On Black Days  (Import Single)

    • Released in 1995

      Several import versions of this single, with varying tracks are available.       Click To Buy It!
    • Several Import Versions, Possible Tracks Include:
    • Fell On Black Days
    • Kyle Petty, Son Of Richard
    • Birth Ritual
    • Fell On Black Days  [Live, Demo or Video version]
    • Girl U Want
    • Motorcycle Loop


Songs From The Superunknown



Down On The Upside
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A-Sides
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[CLICK HERE: Seventy artists from the Pacific Northwest are profiled on FadedFlannel.com ]

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