Rocker Chris Cornell, who gained fame as the lead singer of the bands Soundgarden and later Audioslave, has died at age 52, according to his representative.

Cornell, who had been on tour, died Wednesday night in Detroit, Brian Bumbery said in a statement to The Associated Press. Cornell had performed a Detroit concert with Soundgarden that night.
Bumbery called the death "sudden and unexpected" and said his wife and family were shocked by it. The statement said the family would be working closely with the medical examiner to determine the cause and asked for privacy.

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's 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's third studio album, "Badmotorfinger," in 1991 spawned popular singles "Jesus Christ Pose," ''Rusty Cage" and "Outshined" 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 for Mother Love Bone.

Three years later, Soundgarden broke through on mainstream radio with the album "Superunknown," 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 "Spoonman," ''Fell on Black Days," ''Black Hole Sun," ''My Wave" and "The Day I Tried to Live."

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's 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 2012 and released the band's sixth studio album, "King Animal" in 2012.

Cornell also released four solo studio albums and a solo live album. He also released the single "The Promise" 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.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/representative-rocker-chris-cornell-died-age-52-47480300

Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun
Audioslave - Like a Stone
Audioslave - Show me how to live
Solo - Billy Jean (Acoustic Michael Jackson cover)
Solo - Nothing compares to you (Acoustic Sinéad O'Connor/Prince cover)
Solo - Can't change me
James Bond Soundtrack
There are so many many more great songs, but i will keep it at this selection.

[Update] Rumor is now that the police found his body in a hotel bathroom, and that he commited suicide. Some of his last songs he performed 8 hours before, had some lyrics about death. "Meet me Jesus, meet me" and "In my time of dying, I want nobody to mourn / All I want for you to do is take my body home."

http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/chris-cornells-poignant-last-song-10445932

[Update 2] Autopsy confirmed it being suicide.

7 years ago*

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7 years ago
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I know the band discussion could come, it's what news sites say atleast the 4 "major" grunge bands, but it's details.
Personally i never even heard of Mudhoney nor Mark Lanegan (and i am 30+).
Anyway i removed that part, it's not really important.

Sad day it is.

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really unexpected, he was too young %(

7 years ago
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this is very sad news :(

7 years ago
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Very sad, was one of the most talented artists of all time IMO its a shame he left us so early.

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I was supposed to see him live in 2007 but he had to cancel his performance last minute due to illness.
Now I'll never get to see him :(

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i'm reading this thread like a stone.... RIP

7 years ago
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:/
Be yourself : one song i love most and use to play
Rip

7 years ago
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Simply one of the best rock voices ever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMz-Vp7f1yM

7 years ago*
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[insert description] (www.url.com) remove the space in between.

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It wouldn't display for some reason. I just copied and pasted in the end.

7 years ago
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Awww. So sorry he died. Loved his music!

7 years ago
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OMG nooooooooooooo!! I am a big fan and am very sad today. Chris was a great guy with his charity work and such an amazing talent as a songwriter and vocalist. I had the privilege of seeing him twice during solo tours and it was just such an awesome experience and would have to go in my top 5 favorite concerts. I was hoping to see him again but that ain't happening now. I find it hard to believe that he would commit suicide leaving his wife and kids behind and knowing the kind of thought that must have gone into "Say Hello to Heaven", a very personal song.

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if it was suicide like everyone is saying, i cant be sorry for him since it was his choice, his music was ok and he had a long career. thos i feel bad for is his family, especially his underage children which is going to haunt them every day of thier lives and they will be the ones with the ultimate feeling of betrayal.

7 years ago
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Just read that an autopsy confirmed it being suicide.

It's especially sad for his children yeah.

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Read this early morning, such talent gone at a "young" age. I mean, look at The Rolling Stones, they´re like mummies already and still playing. Pretty sad indeed.

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:(
Way too young. He could have given humanity so much more.

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Yeah, I heard about it... So sad... ;___; Never even got to see him live! So many famous musicians, actors etc commit suicide.. :/

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