Chris Cornell statue unveiled

Chris Cornell’s family have unveiled a statue in his honor. The Soundgarden singer - who sadly took his own life in May 2017 - was hailed as the “voice of a generation” by his widow Vicky at a ceremony as she joined their children to reveal artist Nick Marra’s life-sized bronze sculpture at Seattle’s MoPOP Museum on Sunday. Hailing Chris as a “beautiful, powerful, incomparable” source of light, she said: “He was the voice of a generation, and an artist that continues to draw us closer together, forever.” She also took the time to thank those assembled for their support and the city’s “loudest love”. She said: “I thank you for embracing and loving Chris so deeply. Thank you, Seattle, for the support and loudest love.” The couple’s children, Christopher, Toni, and Lily, then pulled back a curtain to reveal the six foot statue, which depicted the Soundgarden frontman wearing a leather jacket and dog tags and wielding a Gibson guitar. Vicky herself had commissioned the statue and said it was her gift to “the tight-knit community that gave him his start.” Jasen Emmons, Artistic Director of MoPOP felt the drizzly weather was appropriate for the ceremony. He said: “The clouds tonight somehow feel right for someone who brought us so much dark, beautiful music.” And the ‘Black Home Sun’ rocker’s philanthropic partner Trevor Nielsen said: “Chris is here in this mist with us today.” Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil, Ben Shepherd, and Matt Cameron also attended the unveiling ceremony, which was preceded by an hourlong screening of a 2013 concert from the group inside the facility’s Sky Church. Guest books were also on hand for fans to leave memories and tributes, and the museum also revealed a new addition to their collection. Visitors to MoPOP will now be able to see one of the Audioslave singer’s tour outfits, complete with leather jacket and some Soundgarden lyrics.