Chris Cornell’s daughter Toni wrote on his birthday, “It’s hard not to think about what life would be like if you were still here. I wish every single day that I could talk to you again, laugh with you again, hug you again, sing with you again, do everything again that I’ve missed so much since you’ve been gone. You were, and continue to be a source of light in my life, and the lives of so many others. I love you so much, forever and always. Happy birthday daddy ❤️❤️❤️”
Scott Weiland’s daughter Lucy also posted a photo, as she has the same birthday.
The supergroup King Ultramega is paying tribute to the late Chris Cornell with a series of cover songs – the first being a cover of Soundgarden’s “Rusty Cage” featuring Alice in Chains singer William DuVall, Mastodon guitarist Bill Kelliher, Anthrax/Pantera drummer Charlie Benante, and bassist Mark Menghi (who is the brains behind this whole project).
“Rusty Cage” is the first in a series that spans Cornell’s entire career, from Soundgarden, to Audioslave, to his solo work.
Each song will raise funds for MusiCares and will feature a different group of musicians, including Joe Satriani, Alissa White-Gluz, Kenny Aronoff, and Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil.
King Ultramega’s cover of “Rusty Cage” was recorded back in 2020 during the pandemic, and was shared to social media in October of the same year. The track has now been officially released for the first time along with a new music video.
“I just leaned into my love for the song and my immense respect for Chris,” DuVall said of the song. “Since the instrumental track Bill, Charlie, and Mark sent hewed so closely to the original, I thought it best for me to stay in that ballpark as well.”
“Again, my reason for participating was simply taking on an interesting challenge when so much of the world was shut down,” he added. “I had no thoughts or ambitions for this beyond our posting it on social media five years ago. But if this release can help further the good work done by MusiCares, then I’m all for it.”
Speaking about why he decided to put together this musical collective, Menghi said: “There is not a singular moment in time that led to this project. It was a trail of events that led to the formation of King Ultramega and the evolving creation to pay tribute to the voice of a generation.”
Thayil also commented on the project, saying that he is “super honored to record alongside all the amazing musicians appearing on the King Ultramega project. I’m equally proud that it celebrates Soundgarden in this tribute to the songwriting of Chris. Ultra-admirably, everyone’s participation is supporting the work of the MusiCares Foundation.”
