chriscornell_statue

Chris Cornell's family to honor the late musician with a memorial statue

[Photo credit: Whitney Newell]

The family of late Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell are planning to erect a memorial statue of the musician in his hometown of Seattle, according to a recent report from Consequence Of Sound. Cornell unexpectedly died at the age of 52 in May, a death which was ultimately ruled a suicide.

Read more: Remembering Chris Cornell: 10 moving moments from Soundgarden's late frontman

Vicky Cornell tells the Seattle Times that the permanent tribute to her husband is being designed by famed artist and sculptor Wayne Toth. “He has already given me a design and the children and I love it,” she says, referring to her three children with the Temple Of The Dog founder and Pearl Jam associate, daughters Toni Cornell and Lillian Jean Cornell, and son Christopher Cornell.

Toth is well known for his musician sculptures: He created a Johnny Ramone statue that's placed at the Ramones guitarist's grave at Hollywood Forever Cemetery—coincidentally, the very same place where Cornell is buried.

Vicky Cornell says the statue should be completed in about seven months. While it will be placed somewhere in Seattle, the exact location is not yet confirmed. “He is Seattle's son,” Vicky says, “and we will be bringing him home and honoring him, I hope, with all of you, your love and support.”

Additionally, Vicky Cornell has started the Chris Cornell Music Therapy Program in conjunction with Seattle nonprofit organization Childhaven, which provides care to neglected and abused children in the city.

“Chris was always interested in protecting traumatized children who had suffered physical or psychological abuse,” she says. “He always felt music was a way to heal even neurological and emotional conditions.”

“His promise was to help the most vulnerable children. My vow now is to keep his promise, and what better way to honor Chris and his hometown than by creating a music program to help these babies heal.”

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

Watch more: APMAs 2015: Halestorm and Corey Taylor cover “Hunger Strike”