Chilly temperatures and light rainfall did not deter hundreds of people from gathering at the Museum of Pop Culture (formerly known as the Experience Music Project) in Seattle Center to pay tribute to Chris Cornell. “The clouds tonight somehow feel right for an artist who brought us so much dark, beautiful music,” said Jasen Emmons, MoPop’s artistic director, in his opening remarks. In a later speech, Seattle mayor Jenny Durkan referenced the changes in Seattle since Cornell’s youth, but added that the new buildings, booming tech economy, and coffee shops don’t represent the soul of Seattle. “The soul of Seattle is what Chris Cornell knew,” Durkan said. “He pulled from places within himself that were amazing and poured it into us.”
The late rocker was honored with a bronze statue outside the museum, commissioned by his wife, Vicky Cornell, and designed by Nick Marra. The sculpture features Cornell with a guitar in one hand and a pick in the other, donning his signature boots, a dog tag, and loose curls.
Cornell’s three children, Lillian, Toni, and Christopher Jr. pulled the shiny purple covering from the statue together and then stood beside it for press photos, later joined by Vicky and Soundgarden’s Ben Shepherd, Kim Thayil, and Matt Cameron. Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament also attended the ceremony, but did not take photos with the group.
Below are some pictures taken at the ceremony. All pictures taken by Tori Twine.
Between the Notes 