Soundgarden's Chris Cornell Talks 'Superunknown,' His Awkward Encounter With Prince + More

Soundgarden's Chris Cornell stopped by The Kevin & Bean Show to discuss the 20th Anniversary of the band's album 'Superunknown.' He also talks about his vinyl collection, AC/DC's influence on the band, meeting Prince and Ozzy Osbourne, and more!

KROQ features videos of live in-studio performances and interviews with some of today's biggest bands and celebrities, as well as Weenie Roast, Almost Acoustic Christmas and festival coverage.

[natepolidoro]

Life has existed for about 3.5 billion years on this planet, and you happened to exist at the same time as Chris Cornell. Count your blessings.

[SrbijaCG]

When he said "we just put em together, you guys made them hits"... He was never haughty and full of himself. "We were very *fortunate"* He seems to have seen himself as just like everyone else. Thats rare in celebrities.


... I miss this guy.

RIP Chris

[mayorofthenonsense]

Chris is another one of those people who I regret not taking more interest in when they were still alive. I was a massive Soundgarden fan when I was a kid growing up in the 90’s, but for some strange reason, and despite loving the music, I always had him down as some kind of pretentious rock star who took himself way too seriously, or something like that.

And when Soundgarden reformed in 2010, I had long moved on to other things and didn’t pay much attention. I’d already decided that their best days were probably behind them and didn’t even bother to give the new album a proper listen through.

It was only after revisiting Soundgarden and Chris’ other solo projects that I realized how badly I had misjudged him, and what a unique character he was in the world of Rock music. Totally down to earth, humble, and disarming. He gives direct and honest answers to every question and doesn’t for a moment get caught in the trap of buying into his own hype.

When you factor in the raw, innate talent for singing and songwriting, he represented a very rare combination of qualities.

[bravenewhollywood]

A rock star and a gentle soul. What a loss. he was a real artist. May he rest in peace.

[kamk]

Damn, hearing him talk about singing when he's at Ozzy's age.... this loss will always be felt.

[TheSongbird]

When I see his old interviews, I always think, he seems like the nicest, most interesting person to conversate with. I always think that, for someone I've never met, I will miss him, and what he contributed to music and just life in general.

[HarlemRain]

His humility makes him so captivating. Has anyone ever been more cool?

[harrycallahan]

Chris always looked like there was something more going on behind those eyes.

[brianoneil]

I met Chris once on the "Badmotorfinger" tour. He was sweet, kind and shy. We didn't talk long because I didn't want him to feel uncomfortable. He was a genuinely nice guy.

[reubenjames]

I love his interviews. He was always very thoughtful and you could see he was really thinking back and trying to give you the best answers he could about whatever he was being asked. Very humble and talented person. One of a kind.

[andyman]

I hate when an artist is getting interviewed and the interviewer keeps cutting them off after they ask a question.

[daleblack]

I saw soundgarden in 92 at lollapalooza it was raining and we were all soaked outside. Such a great day, amazing memories!

[adamJKpunk]

The problem with soundgarden was that they were always too cerebral for their genre. Vedder was good at moaning and groaning, Kurt was a master of self deprivation and metaphorical irony, Layne and Jerry were dark as fuck, but then there's Chris. He was simultaneously none of those, but above it. He was a 70s rock singer with an excellent vocabulary and above average intelligence. It's volatile, even listening to him speak.

[reddalchemy]

God my heart is so broken....into a million pieces. Rock in Peace Chris, you will be so incredibly missed. You were pure magic.

[andrewvasquez]

I will always regret never seeing him live in Soundgarden or Audioslave or just himself :/

[humpsandbumps]

Soundgarden has always been underrated and the band deserves so much more acclaim. It was an amazing time to be alive and lucky to experience the Seattle explosion in the early nineties. Music today is regurgitated garbage. RIP CHRIS CORNELL

[Trainy]

Always love to hear Chris give interviews. Always extremely friendly, open, and insightful. I wish all rock stars were like him.

[Stylensky]

A funny memory when I think of Superunknown is of this creep that worked with me at the time. I'd listen to a rock station every day and Black Hole Sun was playing. The guy comes walking by and goes "PFFT! I hate that shit. Soundgarden and Pearl Jam BOTH suck!". Fast forward a few days later>>> Hunger Strike is playing and the same idiot says "Man, I love that Temple Of The Dog, Great band!". So I look at him wondering if he's joking or not. I ask just to make sure 'You say that you hate Soundgarden and Pearl Jam but yet you like Temple Of The Dog'. He looks confused and says "Yeah, Why?" I started laughing and told him to come over and sit down. I had some explaining to do.  LMAO

[mitchellzirbel]

Shouldn't the title be: "Radio guy never shuts the fuck up, oh, and occasionally Chris Cornell talks, but gets interrupted." ..?

[missumom]

He was such a beautiful soul. He had the most mesmerizing eyes and voice. So beautiful