Cornell has been out on the road touring, and he died on Wednesday night in Detroit following a Soundgarden concert. This was confirmed by
Cornell's press representative, Brian Bumbery of BB Gun Press, in a
press statement.
His death was described as "sudden and unexpected," and his wife and family members are devastated by the loss, and they have asked for their privacy to be respected at this time.
Rock ground Soundgarden
Michael Lavine
Adam Lambert
tweeted his condolences on social media, and Elton John posted on his Facebook page: "Shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Chris Cornell. A great singer, songwriter and the loveliest man. My condolences to his wife and family, bandmates and friends."
Aside from his musical work with
Soundgarden and Audioslave, Cornell was the founder and frontman for Temple of the Dog, the one-off tribute band dedicated to his late friend Andrew Wood.