The legal fight between Soundgarden and Vicky Cornell just keeps getting worse
There is a lot of bad blood between the surviving members of Soundgarden and Vicky Cornell, widow of Chris. Who owns the vocals Chris left behind? Who gets approval on their use in any future releases? And what’s this about stolen funds from a charity event? There have been suits and countersuits.
The latest twist has Soundgarden dropping counterclaims about a Chris Cornell benefit show (the reason for them doing this is unknown). They filed the case in May, saying the Vicky tricked the group into performing this gig by saying money would go to charity. Instead, said the band, the cash went to her own personal use. They also contend that Vicky doesn’t own Chris’ remaining vocals. She just owns the laptop on which they’re stored. Oh, and they contend she’s been running the band’s social media sites without getting permission from Soundgarden.
Yes, there seemed to be a moment earlier this year when everyone seemed closed to an agreement, but that seems to have gone away. It’s all very sad.
Bottom line is that Soundgarden fans who were looking forward to hearing Chris’ voice from beyond the grave will have to wait until this ugliness goes away.
More at The Hollywood Reporter and DMN.
Not wanting to pick sides, especially as not all the details are known or proven yet, it did seem odd to me that the three surviving members started their own social media accounts using the Nude Dragons name while the official Soundgarden pages keep posting about Chris and Vicky’s daughter.