Ann & Nancy remember Chris Cornell

No one is ever prepared to hear about a death in the family. And today Chris Cornell my brother from my Seattle music family is gone.

Devastating.

He was such an unwitting and reluctant BIG STAR. Such a purist with a problem. What we used to call “the Seattle musicians disease” Chris was among the greatest of Seattles most reluctant rock heroes. Like Elvis Presley in the wrong decade, Chris was way too handsome and way too talented. He was never going to be a poster boy. Instead he raged and railed like all of us in the 90s against the blatant 80s commercialism and marketing with the pure Seattle punk guitar rock ethic. We were not tan and squinting at cameras, just soul searching sequestered souls indoors from the ever present blue Seattle rain. From those basements garrets phosphorescent rehearsal rooms came the soul of a sound like no other.
The Seattle Explosion.

Chris Cornell’s astounding god gifted voice cut through all that thick grey weather like a sun bolt.

His beyond good looks and beyond talent were an embarrassment of riches. I knew that was his big problem before I hardly ever had a chance to hang with him.

He was so moody, singular, and complex. From all accounts he was self absorbed and hard to love.
Like the best lead singers are required to be. I thought he was judgmental of Heart since we had succeeded through a cultural system that he pushed against.

I thought his voice would forever grace the world of music.
But today the grey clouds rain tears.
And the tears taste salty.
Just like the ocean.

Ann: