For us, it was electrified, yet laid back. All our small time local bands that rebelled against the system? They were ours! They belonged to us before any of you ever knew about them. They would much rather be here jamming out in a dingy little club for 300 people than up on that stage for 30,000 of you! They were the guys randomly whipping out their guitars at the house parties we were at, or sitting across the table from us drinking coffee and playing spades at the Hurricane at 5am. It wasn't anything special, it was just normal. Now, looking back? It was special... And I am blessed to have been a part of it, and shaped by it.
When Kurt Cobain died, it was still early days, we were still living it, in our self absorbed little worlds. A king hadn't died. One of our own had died. We cried, we remembered him at parties or over those gallons of coffee... but seeing the responses in the media and the rest of the world? It confused us a little, I think? I mean, I still get nostalgic when Smells Like Teen Spirit comes on the radio... I might give a silent toast on the anniversary of his death, but I was not effected by his passing like the rest of the world.
So, what I am getting at is - Chris Cornell wasn't just a part of my teen-hood, we "grew up" together, so to speak. His music has been a part of my every day life for almost 30 years now... it's evolved as I have... he put out music that spoke to me then, and speaks to me now. He just wanted to make music, and no matter what he did, who he did it with, he did it proud.
He was a king. And he was ours.
Rest In Peace, Chris Cornell. You will be missed, but you will be remembered.
