So What Happens to That Unfinished Soundgarden Album?

When Chris Cornell died, Soundgarden was in the midst of recording a brand new album. What should become of that material? A reader of Alternative Nation posted this open letter:

To Ben, Kim and Matt:

We are all heartbroken. We are crushed. Personally, I can only imagine what the three of you and Vicky and the kids are going through. When I try to empathize, it hurts more than it does already, and I never even got the chance to meet Chris Cornell in person. So it’s hard to say that I know what you’re going through, but I imagine it is one of the hardest things you’ve ever experienced in your lives.

I am of a younger generation of fans. I knew Audioslave when their first album was released when I was in high school, but I did now know Chris Cornell by name or fame. I first heard the name when “You Know My Name” was released as the title song for the 21st James Bond film. I had been a Bond fan far longer than a Cornell fan. My brother bought me tickets to see Chris in concert that summer. At that show, 3 songs in, he played “Show Me How To Live” and I made the connection. During his acoustic set, he played “Black Hole Sun.” Suddenly I realized the guy I thought I had just heard of I had actually been hearing on radio and in movies my entire life. It was because of that show that later in college I found a great used record store and bought my first Soungarden albums. I’ve been hooked ever since. Over the last decade I saw Chris 8 times, and fortunately 3 of those times were with Soundgarden. Each show was unique and full of energy. Chris was an amazing performer.

Read the rest of the letter here.