Chris Cornell Leaves Lasting Legacy
Grunge pioneer died after performing with Soundgarden in Detroit.
Grammy Award winning artist Chris Cornell has died. Detroit Police say the 52-year-old singer’s body was found in his room at the MGM Grand Detroit hotel and casino after he appeared with Soundgarden at the Fox Theater on May 17, 2017.
A representative, Brian Bumbery, says the cause of death was unknown Thursday morning. Detroit Police spokesman Michael Woody tells the Associated Press officers are investigating it as a possible suicide. Bumbery says the Wayne County Medical Examiner will work with Cornell’s family to determine how he died.
Cornell was a pioneer of grunge rock. Soundgarden was the first grunge band to sign with a major label, A&M Records. The group and its lead singer were nominated for several Grammys, winning in 1995 for the single “Black Hole Sun” and the album “Superunknown”. Cornell later became the lead singer for AudioSlave.
Ann Delisi, host of WDET’s Essential Music, tells WDET’s Pat Batcheller Cornell was one of grunge rock’s forefathers, and will be missed. Click on the audio player to hear the conversation.
