Chris Cornell's daughter pens tribute letter to late father
[Photo credit: Instagram]
Chris Cornell's daughter Toni has written a tribute letter to her late father. The memorial from the 12-year-old child of the Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman was posted to the singer's Facebook page—read it below.
Read more: Hear Chris Cornell's isolated vocals from Soundgarden's “Black Hole Sun”
The one-month anniversary of Cornell's unexpected death happened to fall on Father's Day, June 18. To coincide with the holiday, Toni Cornell delivered the social media salute to her dad and shared some heartwarming memories of the musician, including his introducing her to Prince's classic 1984 film, Purple Rain. (via Metal Insider)
Toni had previously collaborated onstage with her musician father, performing Bob Marley's “Redemption Song” alongside Cornell at a 2015 concert in New York. Check out footage of that performance below, after Toni's online tribute.
“Daddy,
“Let me start by saying how much I love you and how much you mean to me. You are my idol, someone I've always looked up to. You were always there for me. You pushed me forward every day, and you still do.
“Whenever I cry or feel like there’s no way I can go on, I hear your voice, 'Don’t sit worrying peanut. Worry is a waste of time, I'm ok.'
“I always took what you said to heart. Probably because everything you said was so smart.
“Every time you came home from tour you spent all your hours with us. No matter how tired you were, how many time zones you traveled, you were there for us.
“Whenever I was sick you would take care of me. You would cuddle with me, hug me, kiss me. You didn't care about getting sick. You would stay up all night to make sure my fever went down. And if it didn't, you would wake me up and give me my medicine. I would open my eyes, see you, and feel better.
“I have so many memories with you but one of my favorite ones was earlier this year when I was jetlagged and we watched 'Purple Rain.' We were staying at the BHH and you came into my room when I was trying to find a movie to watch.
“'How about 'Purple Rain'? you said. I always trusted your judgement. I put it on and immediately fell in love! We then got to your favorite song, 'The Beautiful Ones.'
“'This song is so special it doesn’t even belong in a genre. When I was in my twenties, I saw this in the theatre and some guy started cracking up laughing at this scene and song. It got me really mad,' you said.
“I fell in love with the song too and listened to it on repeat.
“Our special connection was always the arts. Poems, books, music, writing. We both have a unconditional love for it.
“Who's going to introduce me to movies like 'Purple Rain' and songs like 'The Beautiful Ones' now? I'm hoping I will find some because you trained me so well.
“I know you are still here, and the warmth I feel beneath the cold, is you.
YOU ARE THE BEST FATHER IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD. And I know, that if this wasn't an accident, you'd still be cuddling with me watching 'Purple Rain.'
“I love you and miss you so, Daddy. You deserve your own day to be celebrated because you are the best dad anyone could ever have. Happy Father’s Day!
“Love,
Your Baby Toni”
As highlighted in AP's tribute feature, Remembering Chris Cornell: 10 moving moments from Soundgarden’s late frontman, here is video of Chris Cornell and his daughter performing “Redemption Song” at NYC's Beacon Theatre:
In other recent remembrances of Chris Cornell, Rolling Stone has an interview with the director of the singer's final music video, the refugee-themed clip for solo song “The Promise” (from the 2016 historical film of the same name).
Video director Meiert Avis says of his collaboration with the Temple of The Dog founder, “I've had many people break down when they watch the video. They either cry or are silent for 10 minutes.” Watch Cornell's “The Promise” here:
Watch more: APMAs 2015: Halestorm and Corey Taylor cover “Hunger Strike” [FULL HD]
