Chris Cornell, one of the founding fathers of grunge and frontman for Soundgarden, is dead at the age of 52, following a performance in Detroit Wednesday evening.
A representative for Cornell called the singer’s death “sudden and unexpected,” and said that Cornell’s family will be “working closely with the medical examiner to determine the cause.” According to reports by the Associated Press and others, Detroit Police spokesperson Michael Woody confirmed that the preliminary determination is apparent suicide, based on “basic things observed at the scene.”
Cornell was staying at the MGM Grand Detroit Hotel, following a sold-out performance at the famed Fox Theatre in Downtown Detroit. Reports from Detroit’s WDIV suggest a family friend found Cornell in the hotel bathroom with “something around his neck.”
Cornell is widely celebrated as a founding father of the Seattle grunge genre, alongside figures such as Kurt Cobain and Pearl Jam-frontman Eddie Vedder. Cornell’s contributions to groups Soundgarden, Audioslave, and Temple of the Dog, have solidified him as one of the greatest voices in rock history.
Soundgarden’s Wednesday performance in Detroit featured hits from the group’s decades-long career, including selections from Ultramega OK, Badmotorfinger, Superunknown, and others, in addition to an opening performance by The Pretty Reckless. Cornell complimented Detroit concertgoers during the performance saying, “… I feel sorry for the next place we play!”