Heart’s Nancy Wilson posted new details about Chris Cornell’s funeral on her Facebook page, including the first descriptions of surviving Soundgarden members Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron’s eulogies.
I was in attendance at Chris Cornell’s memorial celebration on Friday, thankfully it was not allowed to become a zoo. The press was well sequestered. As far away as possible.
It was such a beautiful gathering of the Seattle clan with band friends, kids and family.
My home town people are so full of love and loyalty.
There were many tears and some very knowing laughs along the way. As it goes.
Johnny Ramone’s widow Linda in a tiara and bright red hair began the proceedings.
Tom Morello in his Sub Pop shirt was astounding and brought radical energy big and clear to the church of the rock congregation.
Jeff Ament as always was completely real and incredibly cool as he shared the greatest story ever about how he and Chris would go night biking out into the great Northwest forests with no head lamps. Then by the lake they would race their bikes into the freezing black water in a competition to see who could get the deepest and farthest the fastest…then build the fire.
Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington and guitarist Brad Delson sang with a devastatingly beautiful rendition of ‘Hallelujah.’
Matt Cameron was brave, honest and strong with another story unknown to me about how Chris had mentored Matt from very early on in his very earliest beginnings. Chris also advised Matt to always play as if his life depended on it and never half way. Ever. Told as only the most world class kick ass drummer could tell.
Kim Thayil stood up, solid and poetic on every level. Pausing a few times for his head and voice to catch up to his broken heart. Always an unlikely father figure for us all in Seattle, he had wonderful words for Chris’ kids, as did each and everyone who spoke. Those kids have such a fantastic support system of “uncles”.
He told them how someday when they are a bit older he will tell them some of “those stories”.
Josh Brolin was more eloquent than I ever could have expected and I expected a lot. He understood Cornell’s demons like his own and had such touching and personal stories to share. Actually every single speaker there was beyond great.
I wish there were transcripts.
There was a beautiful closing prayer and song sung in Greek by Father John Bakas.
We were brought to Chris’ final resting place. His plot is right next to Johnny Ramones’ overlooking a peaceful lake under a big weeping willow tree.
This is the village and community I’ve always been so proud to be apart of. A real family.
