A Missed Opportunity in Music History
In the realm of music history, there are moments that leave fans wondering, “What if?” One such intriguing scenario involves the legendary Chris Cornell, known for his roles in Soundgarden and Audioslave, and the iconic guitar virtuoso Eddie Van Halen. The possibility of these two titans collaborating was a topic of discussion on the Mitch Lafon and Jeremy White Show podcast in 2022. Peter Thorne, Chris Cornell’s touring guitarist and collaborator, shed light on the close bond between Cornell and Van Halen, revealing a collaboration that was tantalizingly close to becoming a reality.
The Unfulfilled Dream: Eddie’s Desire to Collaborate
Eddie Van Halen’s admiration for Chris Cornell’s musical prowess was no secret. As Thorne recounted in the podcast, Van Halen had expressed a keen interest in collaborating with Cornell. Thorne disclosed, “Eddie always wanted to do something with Chris musically. He loved his voice, and he used to be like, ‘Man, I love him. We were always talking about doing something together.'” This desire for collaboration led to a pivotal moment when Cornell and Thorne were listening to rock versions of tracks from Cornell’s 2009 album, “Scream,” including the title track and “Long Gone.” Standing in a parking lot, Cornell turned to Thorne with a daring proposition: “Hey, what do you think if we got Eddie to work on this?”
The Meeting of Titans: Chris Cornell and Eddie Van Halen
The history between Eddie Van Halen and Chris Cornell dated back to the 1990s, solidified by Thorne’s admiration for Van Halen’s musical genius. Through connections with Dave Friedman from Friedman Amplification, Thorne found himself meeting Eddie at his renowned 5150 Studio. Reflecting on their encounter, Thorne described Van Halen’s humility and unassuming demeanor, even in the presence of his own monumental achievements. The studio had seen the creation of countless hits since 1984, making it an awe-inspiring location for any music enthusiast.
Why the Collaboration Never Saw the Light
While the prospect of a Cornell-Van Halen collaboration is captivating, it remains an unfulfilled dream. Thorne revealed that despite Eddie Van Halen’s involvement and contribution to the song, the track was never fully realized due to a simple yet crucial reason: Chris Cornell never got around to recording the vocals. In a cruel twist of fate, Eddie’s commitments to Van Halen’s final record release in 2012 further complicated the completion of the song. However, whispers of hope lingered, with indications that a version featuring Eddie’s contribution might have surfaced during Cornell’s songbook tour in the early 2010s.
Resner’s Candid Critique and Cornell’s Response
In 2009, Twitter was a nascent platform, and artists’ candid opinions could still find their way to public eyes without the backlash often seen today. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails used this platform to critique Cornell’s album “Scream.” The album’s deviation from Cornell’s rock roots was met with sharp criticism, with Reznor’s tweet stating, “Heard Chris Cornell’s record. Jesus.” The album’s lukewarm reception was evident as it garnered just two stars from Rolling Stone. However, Cornell responded with resilience, expressing his optimism that fans would eventually embrace the new direction he had taken.
A Clash of Artistic Philosophies
Reznor’s critique was not merely a superficial jab; it stemmed from a deeper difference in artistic philosophy. In an interview, Reznor elaborated that he and his bandmates had a chip on their shoulder since Soundgarden’s “Superunknown” overshadowed Nine Inch Nails’ “The Downward Spiral” upon simultaneous releases. Reznor voiced his concern about the pressure to conform to commercial trends, highlighting the need to prioritize art over commerce. He believed that Cornell’s shift towards mainstream sounds could send a message that forsaking core artistic values for transient popularity is acceptable, which he found harmful.
The Subtle Exchange: Cornell’s Cryptic Response
Cornell, however, responded cryptically, not directly addressing Reznor but alluding to the situation through a tweet that referenced biblical figures. He tweeted, “What do you think Jesus would Twitter? ‘Let he who is without sin cast the first stone’ or ‘Has anyone seen Judas? He was here a minute ago.'” This exchange marked a temporary end to the public discourse between the two musicians.
Reconciliation and Reflection: A Co-Headlining Tour
Time has a way of softening hard feelings, and in 2014, a surprising collaboration emerged – not between Cornell and Reznor, but between Cornell’s Soundgarden and Nine Inch Nails. The co-headlining tour was an unexpected turn of events, signaling a potential reconciliation between the two artists. Prior to the tour, Reznor penned an email to Cornell, apologizing for his previous outburst and acknowledging Cornell’s professionalism and integrity. The tour allowed both artists to showcase their evolution, bringing together the gentlemanly Cornell and the introspective Reznor on a shared stage.
The Legacy of Unfulfilled Potential
The story of the almost-collaboration between Chris Cornell and Eddie Van Halen is one that reminds us of the potential for magic within music, often existing just beyond the boundaries of reality. Although this particular collaboration never came to fruition, the mere possibility of these two musical titans joining forces serves as a testament to the power of artistic camaraderie and the beauty of what could have been. In a world where artistic expression is as diverse as the human experience, the tale of missed opportunities like this one adds depth to the tapestry of music history.
