SOUNDGARDEN drummer Matt Cameron has paid tribute to Chris Cornell on the first anniversary of the singer's death. Cornell died one year ago today (May 18) at the age of 52. The legendary musician was in Detroit where he had performed with SOUNDGARDEN at the Fox Theatre earlier in the evening. Cameron honored his bandmate by posting an Instagram photo of an early SOUNDGARDEN show, along with the following message: "Can't believe it's already been one year since I lost my musical soulmate and special friend Chris Cornell. "Chris always led by example — his work ethic, his sense of humor, his love of animals, his love of the Cascades, his love of family. "Bands are nearly impossible to get right, but SOUNDGARDEN felt incredibly fierce and so right for me on day one, mid-February 1986. "I auditioned for SOUNDGARDEN in Chris's living room, sat behind his rusty Tama kit and counted in 'Ocean Fronts', my all-time favorite SOUNDGARDEN tune. The tune had kind of a long intro, it sounded great and then all of a sudden Chris starts singing the verse. I was instantly blown away by the impact of his voice and I felt myself settling into the band on my first try. It was all because of that mindblowing voice. "When the song was over, Chris turned to me with a big smile on his face and said, 'You played it perfectly. We have a gig at the Central in one week. Want to do it?' 'Yes, I want to do it,' I replied. "I will forever praise him for the decades of encouragement he gave me and for the fierce friendship we forged. "I love you, buddy." SOUNDGARDEN had been working on material for its seventh studio album at the time of Chris's death and had tentatively planned to enter the studio in late 2017. The band reunited in 2010 after a 13-year hiatus, first touring and then writing and recording "King Animal", its first new studio LP in 16 years. In addition to SOUNDGARDEN, Cornell sang with AUDIOSLAVE and TEMPLE OF THE DOG, while also recording four solo studio albums and one live set on his own. He formed SOUNDGARDEN in 1984 with guitarist Kim Thayil and bassist Hiro Yamamoto, originally playing drums in addition to singing until Cameron joined the lineup. SOUNDGARDEN became one of the first and most successful bands to emerge from the Seattle scene, alongside friends and contemporaries NIRVANA, PEARL JAM and ALICE IN CHAINS.
Can't believe it's already been one year since I lost my musical soulmate and special friend Chris Cornell. Chris always led by example-his work ethic, his sense of humor, his love of animals, his love of the Cascades, his love of family. Bands are nearly impossible to get right, but Soundgarden felt incredibly fierce and so right for me on day one, mid February 1986. I auditioned for Soundgarden in Chris' living room, sat behind his rusty Tama kit and counted in Ocean Fronts, my all time favorite SG tune. The tune had kind of a long intro, it sounded great and then all of a sudden Chris starts singing the verse. I was instantly blown away by the impact of his voice and I felt myself settling into the band on my first try. It was all because of that mind blowing voice. When the song was over Chris turned to me with a big smile on his face and said "you played it perfectly, we have a gig at the Central in one week, want to do it?" "Yes, I want to do it," I replied. I will forever praise him for the decades of encouragement he gave me and for the fierce friendship we forged. I love you buddy.
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Can't believe it's already been one year since I lost my musical soulmate and special friend Chris Cornell. Chris always led by example-his work ethic, his sense of humor, his love of animals, his love of the Cascades, his love of family. Bands are nearly impossible to get right, but Soundgarden felt incredibly fierce and so right for me on day one, mid February 1986. I auditioned for Soundgarden in Chris' living room, sat behind his rusty Tama kit and counted in Ocean Fronts, my all time favorite SG tune. The tune had kind of a long intro, it sounded great and then all of a sudden Chris starts singing the verse. I was instantly blown away by the impact of his voice and I felt myself settling into the band on my first try. It was all because of that mind blowing voice. When the song was over Chris turned to me with a big smile on his face and said "you played it perfectly, we have a gig at the Central in one week, want to do it?" "Yes, I want to do it," I replied. I will forever praise him for the decades of encouragement he gave me and for the fierce friendship we forged. I love you buddy.
A post shared by Matt Cameron (@themattcameron) on May 18, 2018 at 11:04am PDT
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