Chris Cornell, iconic frontman of Soundgarden and Audioslave, died unexpectedly at age 52 Wednesday night. As news spread, scores of musicians took to social media to pay tribute. Here are a few remembrances, from friends and admirers including Perry Farrell, Chuck D, Nile Rodgers, Laura Jane Grace, St. Vincent, and more.
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
Rest …Peace pic.twitter.com/YcN7QECCo0
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) May 18, 2017
RIP Chris Cornell
Incredibly Talented
Incredibly Young
Incredibly Missed. pic.twitter.com/pKNI4tKiXz— Jimmy Page (@JimmyPage) May 18, 2017
Perry Farrell and Dave Navarro of Jane’s Addiction:
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
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
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
Smashing Pumpkins‘ Jimmy Chamberlin:
So sad about @chriscornell passing. Truly one of the greatest singers of our generation and a kind soul. Thoughts go out to loved ones.
— Jimmy Chamberlin (@jccomplex) May 18, 2017
Aerosmith’s Joe Perry:
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
Questlove:
Chris Cornell. Damn. Was legit just playing “Outshined” yesterday. Such a loss.
— St. Vincent (@st_vincent) May 18, 2017
Jason Isbell:
Chris Cornell? Doesn’t even seem possible. What an incredible talent. Me and teenage me are both heartbroken.
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) May 18, 2017
Laura Jane Grace of Against Me!:
It’s okay if you don’t believe me but I was writing about Chris Cornell in my journal this morning and my guitar strummed a chord on its own
— Laura Jane Grace (@LauraJaneGrace) May 18, 2017
Hayley Williams of Paramore:
just shocked to read this. rest in peace and sing with the angels. https://t.co/prElsxjPBg
— hayley from Paramore (@yelyahwilliams) May 18, 2017
Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz and Sad13:
can’t adequately say just how much i love soundgarden/chris cornell. really important to me as a songwriter/guitarist. so sad about this 🙁
— sadie dupuis (@sad13) May 18, 2017
Dillinger Escape Plan’s Ben Weinman:
A Tribe Called Quest‘s Q-Tip:
Chris Cornell rip🙏🏾 https://t.co/oxvHXJbYiV
— QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) May 18, 2017
Fall Out Boy‘s Joe Trohman:
Chris Cornell’s death is so shocking & tragic. Soundgarden, his voice, the songs he wrote, a huge influence on my life. Total disbelief.
— Joe Trohman (@trohman) May 18, 2017
Skid Row’s Sebastian Bach:
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
Devin Townsend:
Man, he was a huge vocal inspiration.
— Devin Townsend (@dvntownsend) May 18, 2017
Butch Walker of SouthGang:
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
Israel Houghton of Israel & New Breed:
If I write a song & put it out it’s not mine anymore, it takes on a life of its own, & when you listen it becomes yours. RIP #ChrisCornell
— Israel Houghton (@ihoughton) May 18, 2017
RIP. So young. So sad 😞 pic.twitter.com/61JjmdVFDC
— Best Coast (@BestCoast) May 18, 2017
i hope theres a #realrockerheaven pic.twitter.com/RGOoGSE9iW
— WAVVES (@WAVVES) May 18, 2017
Pete Yorn:
Gutted over chris cornell. What a voice. Solid family man. So sad. Wtf
— Pete Yorn (@peteyorn) May 18, 2017
Good god. I am so so sad to hear about Chris Cornell’s death.
— Ted Leo (@tedleo) May 18, 2017
I loved his music. I only met him once, but he was very nice.
— Ted Leo (@tedleo) May 18, 2017
It was in Bern, Switzerland with @aimeemann. He was quiet, complimentary, & when he played, his voice was everything you’d hoped it would be
— Ted Leo (@tedleo) May 18, 2017
Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath:
Chris Cornell gone at 52, what a waste. One of my favourite singers and a lovely person, this news came as a complete shock. pic.twitter.com/T7aQ277Uos
— Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) May 18, 2017
Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney:
Those of us who grew up in&around Seattle are acutely aware that we’ve lost nearly an entire generation of local music heroes #chriscornell
— Carrie Brownstein (@Carrie_Rachel) May 18, 2017
Rest in power to one of my favorite voices in rock. #ChrisCornell pic.twitter.com/VKzB13pSDv
— CHEEKY ANDY (@AndersonPaak) May 18, 2017
Serj Tankian:
Your life and music have made an indelible impression upon mine my brother. And your spirit can only be described as generous and regal. https://t.co/e6gscBjkQ5
— Serj Tankian (@serjtankian) May 18, 2017
Amy Lee of Evanescence:
SPIN will update this post as additional tributes appear.