R.I.P. Chris Cornell

Scott Hardie | May 18, 2017
Thoughts on Chris Cornell's sudden passing?

I'll say more later as soon as I can, but I want to mention now, in case it's not obvious, that the timing of today's goo is a coincidence. I was asleep when the goo published; I just found out a few minutes ago about Cornell's passing.

Erik Bates | May 18, 2017
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Samir Mehta | May 18, 2017
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Scott Hardie | May 19, 2017
Well said, both.

I never made quite as deep of a connection with Soundgarden as with other bands of the era, but several of their albums made frequently appearances on my stereo in the nineties. Soundgarden were smarter and more sophisticated than their best-known peers, and harder for me to appreciate at that age. (How appropriate that some of their least sophisticated songs like "Spoonman" and "Black Hole Sun" became their biggest hits.) I still bring up my Soundgarden playlist online in a while to indulge in some nostalgia, and the same with Temple of the Dog. Audioslave was initially appealing, but it felt like the band members just weren't gelling, and subsequent interviews have indicated that they didn't get along creatively or personally; the whole enterprise felt mercenary. I didn't know much of Cornell's solo work excepting the James Bond song, but the reviews were favorable.

I love how so many people this week have made some variation on the joke that with Cobain and Weiland and Staley and now Cornell dead, Eddie Vedder had better take good care of himself -- and not a single person (that I've seen) has mentioned Billy Corgan. I like Corgan fine, but he's unpopular for good reasons and it amuses me that no one cares if he keeps on living. :-)

Chris Cornell's last work was a solo song for the movie The Promise, just released two months ago. It makes a fine conclusion to his life and career.

Samir Mehta | May 20, 2017
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Aaron Shurtleff | May 20, 2017
As someone who made a comment to you in a personal message, if it wasn't clear, I knew that the timing of the goo was unfortunate, but unintentional. Just so you don't think I hold ill will or something.

And, I also associated Billy Corgan with the Chicago music scene more than Seattle, but that might be mis-remembering where he came from. (Spell check doesn't like mis-remembering...is that not a word? Now I have to check!)

I found myself sadder than I thought I would be about this passing. I liked Soundgarden fine, but I don't think I would have classified myself as a fan as such. Which was then super weird, because when I heard later that Roger Ailes died, it didn't bother me at all, and I usually have at least some remorse when people that I at least have heard of passed away. (And, please, the mention of the other person was in passing, and I hope that this won't lead to bashing of him here, as deserving of it as he might be is.)

Scott Hardie | May 22, 2017
On Corgan: I wondered if I should have clarified when I wrote that. I was speaking about alternative bands to emerge in the early 90s who lost frontmen, not just Seattle bands. Stone Temple Pilots, Sublime, and Blind Melon also qualify.

I was a little surprised to see Roger Ailes's death treated as bigger news that day than Cornell's. Forgive my ageism, but when someone still somewhat young and still active like Cornell (who had performed a concert that very night) suddenly dies, it's a bigger shock and thus bigger news than someone who is retired and well into his senior years. Is it because the sexual harassment controversy that forced Ailes out of the company last year is still so fresh in mind? Would Ailes's death not have received as much coverage in five years or ten years?