When Suicide Takes the Voice of a Generation

On Wednesday, the world lost the voice of a generation, the voice that cut through the polished radio songs with the truth and terror of our teens. Sadly, Chris Cornell took his own life today at the age of 52.

Many of us have been proud of Cornell, of Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog and Audioslave, for making it out of the grunge era — which is one of the best, but arguably most angst-ridden times in music. Meaning unlike some of his peers, this frontman kept it going for more than 25 years and kept making music.

He showed us there was a seemingly happy life after the tortured artist era of the late 80’s and early 90’s. Some can relate, and needed to see it work.

Many feel deep sorrow for Cornell’s family and close friends, but I also feel sorrow for the fans who needed to see this icon of godly grungedom finish a full life.

To cheer grunge fans ever so slightly, try for this incredible vision of the “27 Club,” who are musicians who passed at 27, and Layne Staley of Alice In Chains, Cornell’s friend Andrew Wood and other rock legends welcoming Cornell to the big stage in the sky. We can only hope.

To watch a haunting rendition with graphic imagery from 1994 of Soundgarden’s, “The Day I Tried to Live,” click here.

If you or someone you know needs help, visit our suicide prevention resources page.

If you need support right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

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Lead photo via Chris Cornell Facebook page.