Chris Cornell

Chris Cornell
Cornell at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival
Born	Christopher John Boyle (1964-07-20)July 20, 1964 Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Died	May 17, 2017(2017-05-17) (aged 52) Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Cause of death	Suicide by hanging
Resting place	Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, California, United States
Occupations	Musician singer songwriter
Years active	1984–2017
Spouse(s)	Susan Silver ​ ​ (m. 1990; div. 2004)​ Vicky Karayiannis ​ ​ (m. 2004; "his death" is deprecated; use "died" instead. 2017)​
Children	3
Parent(s)	Ed Boyle Karen Cornell
Relatives	Peter Boyle, Patrick Boyle, Katy Boyle, Suzy Boyle
Musical career
Genres	Alternative metal[1] heavy metal grunge[1] alternative rock[2] hard rock
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	SST Sub Pop A&M Epic Suretone Interscope Mosley
Website	chriscornell.com

Chris Cornell (Christopher John Boyle; July 20, 1964 – May 17, 2017) was an American singer. He is best known as the singer in the grunge band Soundgarden. He started the band in 1984 with lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto.^[3] Cornell is regarded as one of the greatest vocalists in rock history.

He released his debut album in September 1999, Euphoria Morning. Later, in 2001, he began the supergroup Audioslave with the former members of Rage Against the Machine. Cornell recorded three albums as Audioslave's singer until the band's breakup in early 2007. His second solo album Carry On was released to mixed commercial success in June 2007.

Cornell was also a co-singer singer in a band, Temple of the Dog, with Eddie Vedder, that was formed as a tribute to a musician, Andrew Wood, who had died.^[4]

Cornell was found dead at his Detroit, Michigan hotel room shortly after performing at a concert on May 17, 2017 at the age of 52.^[5] The cause of death was determined to be suicide by hanging.^[6][7]

Personal life

Cornell was born in Seattle to Ed Boyle and Karen Cornell. He is of English, French, German, Irish, Manx, Northern Irish, Norwegian, Scottish, Swiss, and Welsh. Cornell was first married to Susan Silver, the manager of Alice in Chains and Soundgarden. They had a daughter, Lillian Jean, in June 2000. He and Silver divorced in 2004. In December 2008, Cornell said that he had finally won back his collection of 15 guitars after a four-year court battle with Silver.^[8]

He then married Vicky Karayiannis.^[9] She is an American publicist of Greek heritage. She gave birth to his second daughter, Toni, in September 2004, and his third child, Christopher Nicholas, in December 2005.^[10] Cornell converted to the Greek Orthodox Church because of her faith in the church.^[11]

References

1. "Chris Cornell Tickets in Boston Massachusetts, Dallas Texas, Nashville Tennessee, Chicago Illinois, Denver Colorado, & Los Angeles California". Benzinga.com. June 6, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
2. Costa, Emilia (October 22, 2009). "Chris Cornell Rocks Grand Opening of Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas!". Spin. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
3. Anderson, Kyle (2007). Accidental Revolution. New York: St. Martin's Griffin. pp. 112–116. ISBN 978-0312358198.
4. Nicholls, Justin (14 April 1991). "KISW 99.9 FM: Seattle, Radio Interview by Damon Stewart in The New Music Hour with Chris Cornell, Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard". Fivehorizons.com. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
5. "Soundgarden and Audioslave singer Chris Cornell dies aged 52". Independent.co.uk. May 18, 2017.
6. "Soundgarden Singer Chris Cornell Committed Suicide By Hanging, Medical Examiner Rules". Billboard. Billboard. May 18, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
7. "Chris Cornell: Soundgarden star dies of 'hanging by suicide'". BBC.com. May 18, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
8. "Chris Cornell Celebrates The Return of His Guitars". Archived from the original on 2014-02-09. Retrieved 2016-05-15.
9. "Cornell Loses $30,000 in Argentine Flood". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2008-03-28. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
10. "Chris Cornell's wife has a baby". MTV. Archived from the original on 2008-05-11. Retrieved 2008-04-11.
11. John Sanidopoulos. "Musicians Who Are Converts to Orthodox Christianity - MYSTAGOGY RESOURCE CENTER". Retrieved 15 May 2016.