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We lost a lot with the passing of Chris Cornell. To many, he was a mentor, a brilliant writer; an inimitable voice. Until June 30th, this challenge is for the friends and fans to write their stories, poems, tributes: anything about him. We will be putting together a book for the Cornell family, of the posts entered, as well as making copies available for purchase, donating all proceeds to suicide prevention. In partnership with Seattle Refined, the most shared post will be read on air, and posted on seattlerefined.com.

And You Need to Know This

Once upon a time, Chris Cornell, you said those very words to me from the stage of War Memorial Auditorium. You wanted to make sure that I knew that you thought I was "ahead of the curve, the top of the class, [you're] #1!" You were giving me props for knowing your songs so well. You knew this from me squealing out "OH! MY! GOD! You are doing [insert a brilliant CC song here]!" as soon as I could tell which song you were introducing from your stories.

I really tried to not be obnoxious & screaming fangirl, but during the entire show, you kept a conversation going with me that I started after your first song when I yelled out "Please please please PLEASE play 'Sweet Euphoria' for me PLEASE CHRIIIIISSSSS COOOORNEEELLLLLL!" You looked up at me in the first row of the balcony directly to your left and told me it wasn't next but was coming up soon. When it did, you adjusted your stool to directly face me, called me out to dedicate it to me, and then you truly played that favorite just for me. I cannot ever express in words how much that meant to me. 

Unfortunately I couldn't record that moment, thanks to the venue's very strictly enforced no-camera policy, but I did figure out that I could covertly record audio. I had to get you singing another favorite, "When I'm Down," and I forgot to stop recording at its end, so I did get the amazing peptalk ("yes, you're right, ma'am, this is called 'Seasons.' You win! Wanna know what you win? [me: gah gah gah...] You win the knowledge that you're smart, you're on top of it. You're focused and you're paying attention. You're ahead of the curve, you're the top of the class, you're #1. AND YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS!") documented for safe keeping. That was such a special moment because you really knew what a dedicated and devoted fan I was. 

Your words of appreciation and respect that night reminded me of another night 12 years earlier when I got the chance to meet you after one of the Euphoria Morning shows I saw. I had no idea I would be meeting you - it happened so fast. One of the friends I was with knew someone important at the venue who got us into the meet and greet. While standing in line wishing I had my complete Soundgarden CD collection & your 1st solo masterpiece CD with me, I went over and over what to say to my rock superman hero. However, I was so nervous when I got in front of you that I completely froze (I think I may have even drooled!). I could barely tell you my name when you asked for the autograph, but I did get out (in high speed muttering): "I have loved you since 1989. I am a big fan, sir, Mr Chris, ummmmm." I was afraid you were going to laugh at me and call for security to swoop me away, but you didn't. You looked right into my twitching eyes, smiled, and said "Thank you so much for your support. It means so much to me to have long-time fans like you here for my first solo tour." And then I fainted...ha, no, but I don't remember much after that. I do have a hysterical picture of me in the parking lot holding your poster with a slightly crazed look of disbelief and joy. And I still have that autographed poster hanging in my living room.

I first saw you live in 1992, and in the 25 years since then, I have seen you perform a grand total of 16 times!! 5 Soundgarden concerts, twice with Audioslave, and 9 solo shows & you never ever disappointed me one bit. Those Songbook shows, especially the "you're #1" one were so spectacularly mind-blowing. I am so grateful for these memories you gave me, CC. Not only were you the very best metal singer of all time, but you were also a genuine troubadour. Your lyrics and music helped me (along with countless others) get through my own tough battles with depression. I so wish that I had been able to do for you what you did for me and have been able to tell you exactly what you meant to me and so many others, and then finish with "AND YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS!!"

Thank you CC for being a way cool human being with a genuinely beautiful soul. Thank you CC for sharing your priceless gift of music with the whole world. Thank you CC for making a big chunk of my life better with your songs. You wrote such a classic line about no one singing like you anymore. No one ever did. No one does now. No one ever will. I hope your spirit is soaring over us all so you can see how much you meant to so many people all over this planet. LOUD LOVE TO ALL! 

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