Music and entertainment figures around the globe are mourning the loss of Chris Cornell, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 52 early Thursday morning (May 18).
The rocker owned arguably the best pipes in the business and shone as frontman for grunge legends Soundgarden, which ruled the Billboard 200 with their 1994 classic Superunknown, and later with Audioslave, whose 2005 album Out of Exile scaled the summit of the main chart in 2005. Cornell also collaborated with members of what would become Pearl Jam to form Temple of the Dog and he joined an elite circle when he contributed vocals to a Bond song, “You Know My Name” (from the 2006 film Casino Royale).
Cornell died in Detroit shortly after performing in concert with Soundgarden. The music wasn’t meant to end with this latest tour. Just last month, Cornell told Billboard a new album was well on the way.
Fans of Cornell and his work predictably took news of his death hard. Jimmy Page, Nile Rodgers, Dave Navarro, Gavin Rossdale, Adam Lambert, Sebastian Bach, Perry Farrell, Billy Idol and many more paid tribute to a rock hero on social media. See their messages below.
— Coldplay (@coldplay) May 18, 2017
Shocked and saddened by the sudden death of @chriscornell. A great singer, songwriter and the loveliest man. pic.twitter.com/Hwdgst8kmg
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) May 18, 2017
THERE’S A NEW STAR IN THE HEAVENS TONIGHT…THAT WILL SHINE FOREVER FROM THE MEMORY OF YOUR… https://t.co/sS4XjN80yR
— Steven Tyler (@IamStevenT) May 18, 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) May 18, 2017
STUNNED to hear the death of Chris Cornell. Music’s loss. Greater still, his family has lost a father&husband. RIP. https://t.co/5NGC2YCcz1
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) May 18, 2017
RIP Chris Cornell
Incredibly Talented
Incredibly Young
Incredibly Missed. pic.twitter.com/pKNI4tKiXz— Jimmy Page (@JimmyPage) May 18, 2017
A mutual friend called me and tells me my bro passed away. #RIPChrisCornell You are a great artist Love to Vicki and fam @nilerodgers pic.twitter.com/FhG0fhT0q1
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) May 18, 2017
Our thoughts are with his family, bandmates, friends and fans…. Truly heartbreaking. #RIPChrisCornell pic.twitter.com/ojZ5PSX7zZ
— Rush (@rushtheband) 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 –condolences to @soundgarden & family. We’ve lost one of the greats. -MF
— Foster The People (@fosterthepeople) May 18, 2017
Sad to hear about Chris Cornell . Was literally listening to soundgarden last night on the plane, great singer !
— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) May 18, 2017
#RIPChrisCornell You will be missed but never forgotten. My heart goes out to His family and friends. #sadday https://t.co/y2e9YXGR9o
— DJ ASHBA (@DjASHBA) May 18, 2017
Wow…this one is shocking. Chris Cornell was one of the benchmark vocalists of our generation…devastating loss. #RIPChrisCornell pic.twitter.com/x3F9rptL0D
— Mike Portnoy — (@MikePortnoy) May 18, 2017
One of the greatest rock voices of all time and an incredible talent. RIP Chris Cornell pic.twitter.com/mxqvbqgNrh
— Universal Music UK (@UMusicuk) May 18, 2017
My friend Chris Cornell has died and I’m just incredibly sad .
— DavidGArnold (@DavidGArnold) May 18, 2017
RIP. So young. So sad — pic.twitter.com/61JjmdVFDC
— Best Coast (@BestCoast) May 18, 2017
Tears in my eyes that this is your last ever tweet. We played here with u guys in 1992 –thanks for your pipes @chriscornell u will b missed https://t.co/Xgbann0hd4
— Sebastian Bach (@sebastianbach) May 18, 2017
#scary. I remember @chriscornell on tour with us so long ago. Remember drinking beer after the Melvins. Always thought we’d meet again RIP
— Sebastian Bach (@sebastianbach) May 18, 2017
RIP CHRIS CORNELL
— ADAM LAMBERT (@adamlambert) May 18, 2017
Chris Cornell. One of the greatest voices in rock n roll history. Helped inspire me to evolve and change musically. I’m so sad. RIP BUDDY..
— Butch Walker (@butchwalker) May 18, 2017
Sad 2 hear of Chris Cornell passing..great singer and artist… another blow…RIP
— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) May 18, 2017
So very very sad that we lost another beautifully gifted human today .. RIP brother #chriscornell—- pic.twitter.com/5MGCq0iEok
— Glenn Hughes (@glenn_hughes) May 18, 2017
RIP Chris Cornell. Chris was the most influential singer to me as a writer. I just saw him perform days ago. Completely devastated
— Mark Tremonti (@MarkTremonti) May 18, 2017
I AM SO SADDENED BY CHRIS CORNELL PASSING. @soundgarden
TOTAL SHOCK.GREAT MAN.GREAT BAND.GREAT LOSS. LOVE TO EVERYONE IN HIS WORLD. XXX— GAVIN ROSSDALE (@GavinRossdale) May 18, 2017
A shining voice in music has left us in the midnight. He was a complex and gentle soul #ChrisCornell has flown into the black hole sun.
— Perry Farrell (@perryfarrell) May 18, 2017
Sir Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group: “We mourn the loss of Chris Cornell, one of the most powerful, emotive and influential vocalists of his generation. His distinctive voice and music molded a sound that defined a decade, and influences artists to this day. The world has lost a great one – all too soon. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Timbaland: “Sad to hear of Chris’s passing, he was part of our family at Mosley Group and will be missed. Through our work together, I got a chance to know Chris, not only as a musician, but as a person. He was a genuine man with a big heart. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”