Last week, Howard Stern discussed Chris Cornell and suicide on his show. He discussed his mother making suicide threats, talked to a caller who lost a parent to suicide, and had an emotional moment listening to Soundgarden’s classic “The Day I Tried To Live.” Below is a recap of the discussion from MarksFriggin.com:
Howard took a call from a guy who said his dad took his life last year. He said he was talking about Chris Cornell and that brings back memories. He said that you just never know what people’s mindsets are. Howard said no you don’t. The caller said you should just reach out if you need help. Howard asked if he’s a woman. The caller joked that he actually is. Howard said suicide is shocking. He said he can’t imagine what it would be like to have your father kill himself. The caller, Will, said it was crazy. Howard asked if he worries that he has it in him. Will said he thinks everyone does. Howard asked why he thinks his father did it. Will said his mom struggles with depression. Howard asked if she drove him to it. Will said he thinks that the stress of a lot of life’s issues led to it. He said it was financial. Howard said his mom was always threatening to kill herself when he was in high school. He said that she’d moan and he knew what she was going to do.
Howard said his mom’s sister had died and she had a lot to be depressed about. He said she’d turn red and she’d have tears. Howard said she’d claim she was going to go upstairs and kill herself. He said after the 150th time he was like ”go do it or don’t.” Robin said how sympathetic. Howard said he was a kid. He said that he’d tell her to get some help and she’d ask who needs a psychiatrist. Howard said shit or get off the pot there. He said he was just weirded out by the whole thing. He said it was just shtick.
Howard said this guy on the phone had a dad who really did it. Robin said that it’s an indicator that they’re not very happy if they say they want to do it. Will said his father never gave any indication he was going to do it.
Howard said he would go home to this after going to school where no one noticed him. Howard said he’s sorry about Will’s dad. Will thanked him for that. Howard let him go and played more of Soundgarden’s ”The Day I Tried to Live.” Howard said he can’t reach the controls because he’s slumped over in his chair.
You can call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
