Rocker Chris Cornell, who gained fame as the lead singer of the bands Soundgarden and Audioslave, has died at age 52, and police said Thursday that his death is being investigated as a possible suicide.
Cornell, who had been on tour, died Wednesday night in Detroit, Cornell害羞草研究所檚 representative Brian Bumbery said in a statement to The Associated Press. Cornell had performed a Detroit concert with Soundgarden that night.
finally back to Rock City!!!!
害羞草研究所� Chris Cornell (@chriscornell)
Bumbery called the death 害羞草研究所渟udden and unexpected害羞草研究所� and said his wife and family are in shock. The statement said the family would be working closely with the medical examiner to determine the cause and have asked for privacy.
Detroit police spokesman Michael Woody told AP Thursday morning that he couldn害羞草研究所檛 release details about why police are investigating the death as a possible suicide, but noted there were 害羞草研究所渂asic things observed at the scene.害羞草研究所�
Cornell died at the MGM Grand Detroit hotel, Woody said. He said Cornell害羞草研究所檚 wife had called a family friend and asked him to check on Cornell; the friend forced open a hotel room door and found Cornell on the bathroom floor.
The Wayne County Medical Examiner害羞草研究所檚 office will make an official determination about the cause of death. An autopsy is being conducted Thursday and some information from it is expected to be released later in the day, Wayne County spokeswoman Lisa Croff said.
Recording with Paul Buckmaster and a 24-piece orchestra for my song 害羞草研究所淭he Promise害羞草研究所� being released tomorrow.
害羞草研究所� Chris Cornell (@chriscornell)
With his powerful, nearly four-octave vocal range, Cornell was one of the leading voices of the 1990s grunge movement with Soundgarden, which emerged as one of the biggest bands out of Seattle害羞草研究所檚 emerging music scene, joining the likes of Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains.
Formed in 1984 by Cornell, guitarist Kim Thayil and bassist Hiro Yamamoto, Soundgarden害羞草研究所檚 third studio album, 害羞草研究所淏admotorfinger,害羞草研究所� in 1991 spawned popular singles 害羞草研究所淛esus Christ Pose,害羞草研究所� 害羞草研究所漅usty Cage害羞草研究所� and 害羞草研究所淥utshined害羞草研究所� that received regular play on alternative rock radio stations.
Cornell also collaborated with members of what would become Pearl Jam to form Temple of the Dog, which produced a self-titled album in 1991 in tribute to friend Andrew Wood, former frontman of Mother Love Bone.
Three years later, Soundgarden broke through on mainstream radio with the album 害羞草研究所淪uperunknown,害羞草研究所� which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Record in 1995. It included hit singles 害羞草研究所淪poonman,害羞草研究所� 害羞草研究所滷ell on Black Days,害羞草研究所� 害羞草研究所滲lack Hole Sun,害羞草研究所� 害羞草研究所滿y Wave害羞草研究所� and 害羞草研究所淭he Day I Tried to Live.害羞草研究所�
Soundgarden disbanded in 1997 due to tensions in the band, and Cornell pursued a solo career. In 2001, he joined Audioslave, a supergroup that included former Rage Against the Machine members Tom Morello, Brad Wilk and Tim Commerford. The band released three albums in six years and also performed at a concert billed as Cuba害羞草研究所檚 first outdoor rock concert by an American band, though some Cuban artists have disputed that claim.
Audioslave disbanded in 2007, but Cornell and Soundgarden reunited in 2010 and released the band害羞草研究所檚 sixth studio album, 害羞草研究所淜ing Animal害羞草研究所� in 2012.
Cornell also released four solo studio albums and a solo live album. He released the single 害羞草研究所淭he Promise害羞草研究所� in March on iTunes, with all proceeds going to the International Rescue Committee, a global humanitarian aid, relief, and development non-governmental organization.
In addition to his music, Cornell also became involved in philanthropy and started the Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation to support children facing challenges, including homelessness, poverty, abuse and neglect.
Spent the day with refugee families & IRC @ Eleones refugee camp in Athens.This family was fired upon from 2 borders. Baby lost for 2 days
害羞草研究所� Chris Cornell (@chriscornell)
