Chris Cornell statue unveiling date moved to accommodate big crowd
The statue of the late Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell will now be unveiled at a later date due to an expectation of large crowds at the ceremony.
The statue of the music icon and Grammy-winning singer/songwriter was set to be unveiled Aug. 29 in Seattle at the Museum of Pop Culture. According to Vicky Cornell, Chris’ wife, the ceremony is moved to Oct. 7 due to the “overwhelming response from the Seattle community and fans.”
Read more: Watch Pearl Jam cover Chris Cornell and Tom Petty in Seattle
Due to the overwhelming response from the Seattle community & fans, the unveiling is moved to Oct 7th to safely accommodate everyone. I’m humbled & grateful to you all for your tremendous love and support in honoring @chriscornell “Seattle’s Son” https://t.co/77Juyyq3l9
— Vicky Cornell (@vickycornell) August 23, 2018
The statue was commissioned and donated to MoPOP by Vicky. It was created by artist Nick Marras, and the statue shows Chris in a signature pose with his boots, dog tag and long hair.
“As an artist, my husband was not only one of the greatest voices in rock history but also one of the greatest and most prolific poets of his time—his contribution to music birthed a movement that would leave an indelible mark on popular music forever,” Vicky says. “It only makes sense that I donate this statue to MoPop with their dedication to the ideas and risk-taking that fuel contemporary popular culture.”
The widow added that MoPOP was the “perfect place” for people to check out the museum and pay homage to her late husband.
“MoPOP serves to celebrate the Seattle music scene and the luminaries who have emerged from the Northwest, and Chris was a key figure who has made a lasting impact on generations worldwide,” Jasen Emmons, the artistic director of MoPOP, says.
The unveiling is free and open to the public. After the unveiling, there will be a showing of footage taken of Soundgarden’s performance at The Wiltern in MoPOP’s Sky Church. RSVP is required to enter the screening, and you can do that here.
Both the screening and the unveiling are all ages and will begin at 5:30 p.m. There will be speakers from the Cornell family, MoPOP and special guests.
After playing a Soundgarden concert last May, Cornell unexpectedly died at the age of 52 in what was later ruled a suicide.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness, there is help to be found. Please consider these online resources and talk to your regular doctor about your symptoms:
MentalHealth.gov – Get Immediate Help
ImAlive – Online Crisis Network
International Association For Suicide Prevention – Resources
The Anxiety And Depression Association Of America
The National Alliance On Mental Illness
American Psychiatric Association – Finding Help
National Institute Of Mental Health
American Psychological Association – Psychologist locator
