Thursday, May 18, 2017

Chris Cornell and the death of grunge

I AM NOT a fan of the so-called "Grunge" music scene. It killed hair bands and melodic rock, some say. Bands like Pearl Jam and Soundgarden and Nirvana came around at the right place at the right time and changed rock music. I never understood it, but by then I was trying to grow up. I had a real job and a family, and I just never identified with it.

Still, it's sad to hear about the passing of Chris Cornell, who had an incredible voice and did some really interesting music. I liked Temple of the Dog, and I remember trying to learn "Say Hello To Heaven" for a student a few years back. The one thing I can appreciate about musicians like Cornell is that they were different and didn't really care about formula.

Some say grunge died a long time ago. I don't know about that - there are still bands out there playing music and making a lot of people happy, and filling concert halls.

The video below is from a live concert. No autotune here, thank you. This is a guy who could sing and project himself through his voice. Even a Youtube video shows it.

Cornell inspired passion. I'm reading comments from some of our local musicians I respect and they are just devastated by his loss. It sounds like he had demons and was pretty much a poster child for the tortured rock and roll musician, and vices were common in his life.

So it's a sad day for music. Peace to you, Chris Cornell, and the the many who celebrate his music and life.



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