Chris Cornell shared a story about meeting late Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell on social media shortly before his death. Cornell wrote:
As part of my job at WOW Production Services, I frequently work on the online promotion of films in the months leading up to the theatrical release. I was particularly enthused a couple of years back, when I learned we were going to be helping to promote “The Promise”. Shortly after our company started working on the project, I learned I was not the only Chris Cornell involved with the film. I remember when I first became aware of Chris Cornell back in the late 80s when a co-worker, who wrote a music review column at the newspaper where I worked, tacked a promotional black-and-white glossy photo of the singer to the bulletin board above my computer terminal.
He told me Cornell was going to hit it big. Years later, I would occasionally deal with autograph seekers at hotels I was staying in, front desk attendants at the gym doing double takes when my name would pop up on the screen, and one nutty waiter at a restaurant in Maryland who wouldn’t leave me alone until I swore I was not the frontman for Soundgarden.
I always enjoyed Cornell’s voice, and although I never had the opportunity to see him in concert, I am a frequent listener of his music to this day. On the night of April 18, 2017 my wife and I headed down to Manhattan for the New York premiere of “The Promise.” After the premiere, my wife and I attended a post-premiere reception. As things started to wind down, it occurred to me that I might never get another chance to meet Chris, so I decided to take a quick walk to the back of the restaurant to see if he was still around.
As I came around the corner, he was walking toward me. As we got closer, I awkwardly said something like “Hey, Chris, I’ve always admired your music. I thought you might be interested in meeting someone who shares your name.” He looked slightly puzzled… “My name, it’s also Chris Cornell.” I said. It looked as though he wasn’t sure if I was serious or not, but when he had determined I was, a big smile came across his face. He put his arm around me and posed for a couple shots. I left with a feeling that Chris Cornell was a gracious, genuine human being.’
