Chris Cornell’s Final Performance: A Night to Remember
Chris Cornell’s Last Performance: A Night to Remember
Chris Cornell’s untimely passing on May 18, 2017, shocked the music world. As the frontman of Soundgarden and Audioslave, he was a defining voice of the grunge movement, though his influence extended far beyond any single genre. The night before his tragic death, Cornell performed his final show at the Fox Theatre in Detroit with Soundgarden—an electrifying and unforgettable performance that would tragically be his last.
A Powerful Farewell
Cornell’s final concert was part of Soundgarden’s North American reunion tour, reigniting the legacy of the band that helped shape alternative rock. That evening, he delivered a two-hour performance, demonstrating his extraordinary vocal range and undeniable stage presence.
The setlist featured songs spanning Soundgarden’s career, beginning with Ugly Truth, the opening track from their 1989 album Louder Than Love. The audience was then treated to classics like Hunted Down, Non-State Actor, and Outshined, leading up to the band’s iconic hit Black Hole Sun.
Though no one could have known this would be the band’s final show, it ended in a profoundly symbolic way. The encore featured Rusty Cage and Slaves & Bulldozers, both from their 1991 album Badmotorfinger. During Slaves & Bulldozers, Cornell hauntingly incorporated lines from the gospel blues song In My Time of Dying, famously covered by Led Zeppelin. His chilling delivery of the lyrics, “Well, well, well, so I can die easy… Jesus going to make up my dying bed,” now carries a tragic resonance.
Chris Cornell’s Lasting Legacy
Beyond his work with Soundgarden and Audioslave, Cornell was a gifted solo artist, contributing to film soundtracks, including You Know My Name, the theme for the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale. His ability to blend raw power with introspective lyricism made him one of rock’s most beloved figures.
His death left a void in the music world, but his legacy endures through his vast body of work. In January 2019, his friends, family, and fellow musicians paid tribute to him in Los Angeles with the I Am The Highway tribute concert. The event featured performances by members of Audioslave, Metallica, Foo Fighters, and other artists who admired and respected Cornell’s immense talent.
Setlist from Chris Cornell’s Final Show – Fox Theatre, Detroit, May 17, 2017
- Ugly Truth
- Hunted Down
- Non-State Actor
- Searching With My Good Eye Closed (intro only)
- Spoonman
- Outshined
- Kickstand
- Black Hole Sun
- By Crooked Steps
- The Day I Tried to Live
- My Wave
- Been Away Too Long
- Fell on Black Days
- Mailman
- A Thousand Days Before
- Burden in My Hand
- Blow Up the Outside World
- Jesus Christ Pose
- Rusty Cage (Encore)
- Slaves & Bulldozers (Encore, including In My Time of Dying)
A Voice That Will Never Be Forgotten
Chris Cornell’s final performance was a testament to his talent, passion, and dedication to music. Though he is no longer with us, his influence lives on through the countless fans, musicians, and artists who continue to be inspired by his work. His voice, both powerful and poignant, remains a lasting force in rock history.
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