Remembering Chris Cornell: A Reflection by Kim Thayil in 'A Screaming Life
Kim Thayil, the guitarist of Soundgarden, reflects on the tragic passing of lead singer Chris Cornell in his upcoming memoir titled A Screaming Life: Into the Superunknown with Soundgarden and Beyond, set to be released on June 9th. Thayil recounts the heartbreaking moment when he received a call from drummer Matt Cameron informing him of Cornell's sudden death in May 2017, shortly after a show in Detroit.
Upon hearing the news, Thayil and the band members initially dismissed it as a hoax or prank, as they had just seen Cornell hours before. However, the reality of Cornell's suicide in his hotel room soon became undeniable, leaving the band in shock and disbelief. Thayil describes the profound impact of Cornell's death and how it deviated from his perception of the singer over the years.
Thayil reflects on the unexpected nature of Cornell's suicide, noting that it seemed out of character for someone who had evolved and matured over the years. He expresses regret for not recognizing potential signs of distress in Cornell and acknowledges the difficulty of grappling with the loss of a close friend and bandmate.
Despite the tragedy, the surviving members of Soundgarden are working on completing a new album that will feature Cornell's final recordings. Thayil's memoir offers a personal insight into the band's journey and is now available for pre-order on Amazon. The memoir promises to provide a deeper understanding of the band's history and the impact of Cornell's untimely death.