Chris Cornell is a singer, songwriter and guitarist from Seattle, United States, best known as the lead singer of Soundgarden. Born Christopher John Boyle in 1964 and active until his death in 2017, he is associated with grunge, rock and alternative rock, and also with acoustic rock, electropop, pop rock and post-grunge.

Soundgarden and grunge

In 1984, Cornell forms Soundgarden with bassist Hiro Yamamoto. The band becomes one of the major grunge acts of the late 1980s and 1990s, alongside groups such as Alice in Chains, Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Cornell later helps reunite Soundgarden after a long break.

Temple of the Dog and related projects

In 1990, Cornell works with Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron and future Pearl Jam members Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament and Mike McCready in Temple of the Dog. The project records a 10-song album as a tribute to Andrew Wood, the Mother Love Bone singer who dies the year before. His other group memberships include Audioslave, Alice Mudgarden and The Center for Disease Control Boys.

Solo work

After Soundgarden splits in 1997, Cornell begins a solo career. His album Euphoria Morning brings the single “Can’t Change Me”. He later records Carry On with producer Steve Lillywhite and releases it in 2007. In 2009, he issues Scream with Timbaland, working with a more electronic and pop-oriented production style. He also records the James Bond theme “You Know My Name” for Casino Royale.

Voice and style

Cornell is known for a powerful vocal range, moving between baritone and high tenor registers, and for using falsetto, screams and chants in different songs. His performances of “Beyond the Wheel”, including studio and demo versions, show this range clearly.

Labels

His labels include Disappearing One, Disappearing One Music and You Make Me Sick I Make Music.