Chris Cornell: Tributes to Soundgarden singer after sudden death, aged 52
Tributes have been pouring in for musician Chris Cornell after his sudden death, aged 52.
In a statement, the singer's representative Brian Bumberry said his death was 'sudden and unexpected' on Wednesday night after performing at the Fox Theatre in Detroit.
Cornell's family have asked for privacy while they work with a medical examiner to determine his exact cause of death.
Those to puy tribute to the singer include punk rocker Billy Idol, All Time Low frontman Alexander Gaskarth, and Jimmy Page.
Jane's Addiction's Dave Navarro said he was "so so stunned" to hear about Cornell's death, saying it was "such a terrible and sad loss".
Rest easy, Chris Cornell. One of the best. Thank you for years and years of great music.
— Alexander William (@AlexAllTimeLow) 18 May 2017
RIP Chris Cornell
Incredibly Talented
Incredibly Young
Incredibly Missed. pic.twitter.com/pKNI4tKiXz— Jimmy Page (@JimmyPage) 18 May 2017
Very sad news about Chris Cornell today. A sad loss of a great talent to the world, his friends and family. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/BlgxE6cJLH
— Joe Perry (@JoePerry) 18 May 2017
Sad 2 hear of Chris Cornell passing..great singer and artist... another blow…RIP
— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) May 18, 2017
SO SO stunned to hear about Chris Cornell! Such a terrible and sad loss! Thinking of his family tonight! RIP
— Dave Navarro (@DaveNavarro) May 18, 2017
RIP Chris Cornell Soundgarden is forever grunge https://t.co/SuObrI1piU
— Blake Anderson (@UncleBlazer) 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
Currently I have no words about Chris Cornell whatsoever other than that is fucking heartbreaking
— James McMahon (@jamesjammcmahon) May 18, 2017
Saddened by the news of Chris Cornell's passing. He was an incredible singer. I took this picture of him and Jimmy Page in 2014. RIP CC pic.twitter.com/3alaPJF1PP
— Hunter Burgan (@TranquilMammoth) May 18, 2017
Gutted to hear Chris Cornell has passed away. Audioslave are one of my all time favourite bands. I saw him live 6 times & was always amazing
— James Phelps (@James_Phelps) May 18, 2017
Cornell rose to fame with the 1990s rock band Soundgarden, later forming the supergroup Audioslave with members of Rage Against the Machine.
He later received a Golden Globe nomination for writing and performing the theme song to James Bond film Casino Royale in 2006.
Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Cornell was one of the chief architects of the grunge movement, forming Soundgarden alongside guitarist Kim Thyail and bassist Hiro Yamamoto in 1984.
Soundgarden were famously the first grunge band to sign to a major label (A&M in 1988), paving the way for the likes of Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains to break out.
After initially breaking up, Cornell formed Audioslave with Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk. Cornell left the supergroup in 2007 to concentrate on solo material before regrouping with Soundgarden in 2010.