RIP Chris Cornell 1964 - 2017

[VinylGuy]

How was that encounter with the band in 97? Not a great time for SG

[zeb]

A friend in the US who had connections with the band arranged a backstage pass for me, it was waiting at the venue box office for collection. I had never met a touring musician/band before that night, had no idea what to expect.

The band had decided not to sign things people had brought for signature that night but Matt did hand me a glossy promo photo that he'd convinced Kim, Ben and Chris to sign for me. He didn't want other backstage visitors to see me get something they weren't being offered, so he waved me into a separate room off the main backstage area to tell me in somewhat hushed tones what he'd been able to arrange for me.

I also had a photo taken of me with all four band members. I was introduced to all of them and shook all of their hands. One of them complimented me on my Hater t-shirt, I can't remember who. Chris seemed smaller than I expected. Kim was warm but didn't say much, Ben had what I imagine was his normal weird energy.

None of the four appeared dour or reluctant to mix with people. This meet & greet was happening almost directly before they went onstage, literally while the opener (You Am I) was performing, so it felt like we were being let into a pretty sacred space.

Soundgarden's performance on the night was immaculate and wonderful, I was in awe, one of the best shows I saw them (or maybe anyone?) play. There was no hint of what was to come.

[VinylGuy]

Thats awesome really. Its pretty well documented that the band was just very tired but they were still on good terms on that tour.

[96583UP]

so cool

i feel like in that Australia 2015 tour they were sound-checking Kristi but never played it? Matt said something like 'it wasnt ready yet for prime time' ... but they were playing Birth Ritual and it and Chris sounded fantastic

[zeb]

The part about Kristi sounds familiar. Would have been next level if they'd included that in the shows here.

[fyfe79]

so cool

i feel like in that Australia 2015 tour they were sound-checking Kristi but never played it? Matt said something like 'it wasnt ready yet for prime time' ... but they were playing Birth Ritual and it and Chris sounded fantastic

A couple years ago I made & shared a compilation of bootleg live tracks from the reunion period (which weren't on the Artists Den live album) and one of the tracks considered was a live version of Birth Ritual from that Australian tour. I hadn't yet listened to the particular show I had the recording of but I had seen the track on the setlist. Put it on and wow, Chris sounded awful I thought? So bad that I didn't include it on the comp. That was one that should not have been attempted post 1995, imo.

[VinylGuy]

Birth Ritual must be impossible to sing live really

[kreng]

Birth Ritual must be impossible to sing live really

Very impossible these days…

[Ello Sailor]

Wow

[warehouse]

i sang it just fine in my kitchen last night, thank you very much

[wease]

The youngest Weaseling does it pretty damn well. She can belt!

[bart]

The youngest Weaseling does it pretty damn well. She can belt!

Was this one on purpose

[warehouse]

The youngest Weaseling does it pretty damn well. She can belt!

excellent parenting

being on the singles soundtrack, 'birth ritual' is probably the first soundgarden song i loved. i remember when i was a kid taking my shirt off and singing it running around my house. it's a pretty heavy song for a 10 year old

[wease]

The youngest Weaseling does it pretty damn well. She can belt!

Was this one on purpose

What do you mean?

[epilogue]

i sang it just fine in my kitchen last night, thank you very much

[bart]

The youngest Weaseling does it pretty damn well. She can belt!

Was this one on purpose

What do you mean?

you know...belt...

[wease]

The youngest Weaseling does it pretty damn well. She can belt!

Was this one on purpose

What do you mean?

you know...belt...

Oh, heavens no!

[96583UP]

was listening to the beatles and finally took the step of figuring out the 'dark' riff to 'She's So Heavy' on the guitar ... Soundgarden used to close live sets with that at one point

I always think of Chris on that outtro