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Chris Cornell and Vicky Cornell photographed in 2017

Chris Cornell and Vicky Cornell

Photo: JB Lacroix/WireImage.com

News
Public Vigil To Be Held For Chris Cornell chris-cornell-public-vigil-mark-first-anniversary-soundgarden-frontmans-passing

Chris Cornell: Public Vigil To Mark First Anniversary Of Soundgarden Frontman's Passing

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Vicky Cornell announces a vigil offering fans an opportunity to pay tribute to the late GRAMMY winner in Los Angeles
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
May 15, 2018 - 9:09 am

Vicky Cornell, the widow of Chris Cornell, has announced a public vigil on Friday, May 18 to mark the one-year anniversary of the passing of her late husband.

The public vigil will take place at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles at 7 p.m. PT, offering fans an opportunity to attend and pay tribute to the GRAMMY winner. Vicky Cornell shared a letter on social media, taking an opportunity to also invite the "millions of fans" to remember the "Black Hole Sun" singer no matter where they are.

"It is with great emotion I reach out to all of you as the one year anniversary of my husband's passing approaches," wrote Cornell. "Chris was loved, so much, by so many. The children and I are so grateful to you all for being by our sides throughout all of this. Your love has created a close-knit community; more like a family; to grieve with, to provide support, and to help us heal. We could not have gotten through these last twelve months without you.

"We want to open this up to you, our extended family, and invite you to join us on this day of prayer and remembrance to pay our respects together. As we know, there are millions of fans and not everyone can physically be there, we would be honored if you share posts and videos of how Chris's music has touched you. We can feel your love no matter how far. Light a candle, say a prayer, speak his name… Loud Love."

pic.twitter.com/Z4kZOaDdl9

— Vicky Cornell (@vickycornell) May 12, 2018

A year later, the Seattle music community is keeping Chris Cornell close to their hearts. Cornell was among the friends namechecked by Stevie Ray Vaughan Award recipient Mike McCready during his remarks at the 2018 MusiCares Concert For Recovery. Additionally, a guitar strap that belonged to Cornell helped raise money during a silent auction, with proceeds benefitting MusiCares' addiction recovery services.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Chris and Vicky Cornell

Chris and Vicky Cornell

Photo: CHRIS DELMAS/AFP/Getty Images

News
Vicky Cornell Speaks To Congress About Addiction vicky-cornell-congress-we-must-integrate-addiction-treatment-our-health-care-system

Vicky Cornell To Congress: "We Must Integrate Addiction Treatment Into Our Health Care System"

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Following Chris Cornell's tragic death in 2017, his wife continues to speak up about mental health and substance abuse. This time she spoke in front of Congress
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Feb 27, 2019 - 5:36 pm

Vicky Cornell, the widow of late Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, visited Washington D.C. on Feb. 25 to testify before the Congressional Bipartisan Heroin And Opioid Task Force on the opioid crisis. She advocated for better addiction training for health care professionals in the face of the growing epidemic, underscoring that her husband's death "was not inevitable."

"Chris had a brain disease and a doctor who, unfortunately, like many, was not properly trained or educated on addiction," Cornell told the task force, according to People. "We must integrate addiction treatment into our health care system—no more false narratives about the need to hit rock bottom, no more secret societies, no more shame—we must educate health care providers on how to treat addiction and best support recovery."

The rock icon was found dead by suicide in his hotel room in Detroit on May 17, 2017 following a Soundgarden concert. The toxicology report revealed prescription medications in his system, including Ativan, a benzodiazepine he was prescribed as a sleep aid, although the medical examiner said these drugs did not directly "contribute to the cause of death."

Vicky believes that her husband would still be here today if he had been treated by a doctor better educated in addiction, which he had struggled with for years before going sober.

"He didn't want to die. If he was of sound mind, I know he wouldn't have done this… Addiction is a disease. That disease can take over you and has full power," she told People in 2017.

Toni & Christopher Cornell | 2019 GRAMMYs

Earlier this month, Cornell posthumously won Best Rock Performance for "When Bad Does Good" at the 61st GRAMMY Awards." His children Toni and Christopher accepted the GRAMMY on his behalf in a tear-jerking moment.

"I never thought we would be standing here without my dad," Cornell's son Christopher said during their acceptance speech. "I'm sure he would be proud and honored. He was a rock icon, the Godfather of grunge and a creator of a movement. While he touched the hearts of millions, the most important thing he is known for, for us, is for being the greatest father and our hero."

If you or a loved one is dealing with substance abuse, there are resources that can help—MusiCares offers free addiction recovery services for people in the music industry, including support groups in several states.    

Remembering Chris Cornell: A Sweet Sunshower

Chris Cornell

Chris Cornell

Photo: Joby Sessions/Total Guitar Magazine/Getty Images

News
All-Star Chris Cornell Tribute Concert Tonight i-am-highway-tribute-chris-cornell-all-star-concert-la-tonight

"I Am The Highway: A Tribute to Chris Cornell" All-Star Concert In L.A. Tonight

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Incredible array of rockers proves the Seattle-sound singer's legacy lives on as a powerful source of inspiration
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Jan 16, 2019 - 1:33 pm

Solo artist, Seattle grunge rocker and GRAMMY-winning member of Soundgarden and Audioslave, Chris Cornell and his life's work in music will be memorialized on Jan. 16 in Los Angeles at "I Am The Highway: A Tribute to Chris Cornell." In addition to members of Audioslave and Soundgarden as well as Temple of the Dog, the career retrospective concert features performances by Ryan Adams, Fiona Apple, Brandi Carlile, Miley Cyrus, Foo Fighters, Josh Homme, Adam Levine, Ziggy Marley, Metallica, Miguel, and Chris Stapleton.

On May 17, 2017 Cornell's death at age 52 in Detroit shook music lovers everywhere. Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow said, "Chris' extraordinary talent will forever live on and inspire fellow musicians and fans worldwide." Tonight's tribute lineup is a case in point. 

https://twitter.com/chriscornell/status/1085332205298012160

A small # of tickets have just been released for '#IAmTheHighway: A Tribute To Chris Cornell' taking place tomorrow at @theforum in Los Angeles. https://t.co/3dAyJwaplb pic.twitter.com/CogNefXHkF

— Chris Cornell (@chriscornell) January 16, 2019

Cornell's GRAMMY wins came at the 37th GRAMMY Awards for his work with Soundgarden. "Black Hole Sun" won Best Hard Rock Performance and "Spoonman" won Best Metal Performance.

The unique evening is hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. Funds raised by the tribute concert will benefit the Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation and the Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation. A limited number of tickets are still available at Cornell's website.

Chris Cornell: Public Vigil To Mark First Anniversary Of Soundgarden Frontman's Passing

Mick Jagger photographed circa 1987

Mick Jagger

Photo: Michael Putland/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Poll
Vote: Who Has The Most Iconic Classic Rock Voice? mick-jagger-stevie-nicks-axl-rose-kurt-cobain-most-iconic-classic-rock-singer-poll

Mick Jagger, Stevie Nicks, Axl Rose, Kurt Cobain: Most Iconic Classic Rock Singer | Poll

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Mirror, mirror on the wall, who has the most iconic classic rock voice of them all? Cast your vote in our poll
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
May 4, 2018 - 5:36 pm

"You need cooling, baby I'm not fooling." "Have you any dreams you'd like to sell?" "Welcome to the jungle, we've got fun and games." "I found it hard, it's hard to find. Oh well, whatever, never mind."

Sure enough, as these lyrics reverberate in your head, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the inimitable voices behind them. Indeed, the classic rock era — the mid-'60s to the late '80s, and now including the '90s — was littered with a variety of one-of-a-kind singers — instantly recognizable voices who breathed life into classic anthems spanning "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" to "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and beyond.

Polls

Which classic rock lead singer has the most iconic voice?

In the '60s, the Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger arguably set the template for the modern rock and roll frontman, commanding the stage and matching bandmate Keith Richards' meaty guitar riffs with his distinctive vocal delivery. Other iconic frontmen such as Roger Daltrey and Robert Plant put their own vocal stamps on classics by the Who and Led Zeppelin, respectively, perfectly complementing master six stringers Pete Townshend and Jimmy Page on songs like "My Generation" and "Whole Lotta Love."

With his operatic tenor, Freddie Mercury began his reign with Queen in the '70s, sprinkling magical vocals on top of songs such as "Bohemian Rapsody," "Another One Bites The Dust" and "We Will Rock You." Initially dismissed as a Jagger knockoff, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler ultimately proved his mettle with his inimitable blues-rock yowl, adding gravelly character to hits such as "Dream On," "Walk This Way" and "Sweet Emotion."

Ann Wilson brought intense dynamics to the Heart catalog, going from a whisper to 11 on "Crazy On You" and bringing fire and fury to the likes of "Barracuda." Meanwhile, Stevie Nicks' expressive, husky voice yielded a beautiful yet haunting dimension to Fleetwood Mac hits such as "Dreams," "Gold Dust Woman" and "Sara."

Perhaps the very definition of a soaring rock tenor, Steve Perry's voice gave Journey fans goosebumps whether presiding over infectious anthems such as "Don't Stop Believin'" or soft ballads like "Open Arms" and "Faithfully." Arguably the most volatile figure from the '80s L.A. rock scene, Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose slithered through multiple vocal personalities, evidenced by his patented screams on "Welcome To The Jungle" and laidback, heartfelt delivery on "Sweet Child O' Mine."

Speaking of volatility, the music of Seattle erupted in the early '90s. Leading the way were Nirvana, with Kurt Cobain whispering and seething on songs such as "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and showcasing a more dynamic vocal approach on quieter numbers like "Something In The Way." Armed with an astonishing voice, Soundgarden's Chris Cornell bridged the hard rock of the '80s and the unique sonic characteristics of grunge. His vocals spanned the sustained howls of "Rusty Cage" to the confessional delivery of "Black Hole Sun" and the hypnotic "Spoonman."

To quote Steve Perry, as far as classic rock vocalists, we could keep going "on and on and on and on." So, we want to know: Which classic rock lead singer has the most iconic voice? Cast your vote!

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Wayne Kramer of MC5 holding American flag Stratocaster

Wayne Kramer

Photo: Chris McKay/Getty Images

News
MC5 To Tour Celebrating 'Kick Out the Jams' mc5s-wayne-kramer-announces-50th-anniversary-kick-out-jams-tour

MC5's Wayne Kramer Announces 50th Anniversary 'Kick Out The Jams' Tour

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The band's guitarist sets the scene for an epic celebration featuring drummer Dennis Thompson, members of Soundgarden, Fugazi, Kings X, and more
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Mar 6, 2018 - 6:11 pm

MC5-founding guitar icon Wayne Kramer has revealed plans for a world tour in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the band's seminal 1969 album (recorded live in 1968) Kick Out The Jams. Kramer will be bringing an all-star cast on stage with him, including MC5 drummer Dennis Thompson on select dates, plus Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil, Fugazi drummer Brendan Canty, King's X bassist Doug Pinnick and Zen Guerrilla vocalist Marcus Durant.

“The message of the MC5 has always been the sense of possibilities: a new music, a new politics, a new lifestyle,” Kramer said in a statement. “Today, there is a corrupt regime in power, an endless war thousands of miles away, and uncontrollable violence wracking our country. It’s becoming less and less clear if we’re talking about 1968 or 2018. I’m now compelled to share this music I created with my brothers 50 years ago. My goal is that the audience leaves these concerts fueled by the positive and unifying power of rock music.”

The trek will take this supergroup across Europe this summer before landing stateside in September, where the tour will run through the Oct. 27 closing night in MC5's hometown of Detroit. A full itinerary of the tour is forthcoming.

Kramer also announced plans to release a memoir entitled The Hard Stuff: Dope, Crime, the MC5, and My Life of Impossibilities. Due out Aug. 14 via Da Capo Press, the book is reportedly “an intimate portrait of Kramer’s post-MC5 life, which included a federal prison term, addiction struggles that lasted decades, reconnection with his long-absent father, finding the path to sobriety at 50, and, incredibly, first-time fatherhood” at age 65.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

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Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy and its Affiliates. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy and its Affiliates lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy and its Affiliates.