In the wake of Chris Cornell’s death, we’ve heard heartbreaking statements made by so many people who knew him, from his widow Vicky to “brothers” like Eddie Vedder. It’s not until reading the beautiful messages from his children, though, that the immensity of the loss sets in with full force.
Shared on the Soundgarden frontman’s Facebook page, these thoughts come from Chris and Vicky’s daughters Toni and Lillian, who describe their late father as “the best father in the whole wide world”, and give us a brief glimpse into what Cornell was like as a father and husband.
While Cornell’s twelve-year-old son Christopher didn’t write his own message, Lillian speaks on his behalf, telling her father that “Toni, C and I promise to survive, persevere and thrive, as we’ve always done.”
Chris Cornell passed away tragically due to suicide last month, only hours after playing a show with Soundgarden in Detroit. He once told the Inquirer about his children’s interest in music, although he insisted that he wasn’t hoping to turn them into rock stars.
“Music has been a part of my children’s lives,” he said. “I can’t compare my relationship to music with theirs because they’ve had a different experience. But I made a point of not telling them what to listen to. My daughter Toni has an unusual list of artists and songs she listens to.”
Toni, however, remembers watching Purple Rain with her dad after he recommended it, telling him, “I always trusted your judgement. I put it on and immediately fell in love!”
“Who’s going to introduce me to movies like ‘Purple Rain’ and songs like ‘The Beautiful Ones’ now?” she asks. “I’m hoping I will find some because you trained me so well.”
Both Toni’s and Lillian’s statements are in full below.
If you or somebody you care for needs help or information about depression, suicide, anxiety, or mental health issues, contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Toni Cornell
Daddy,
Let me start by saying how much I love you and how much you mean to me. You are my idol, someone I’ve always looked up to. You were always there for me. You pushed me forward every day, and you still do.
Whenever I cry or feel like there’s no way I can go on, I hear your voice, “Don’t sit worrying peanut. Worry is a waste of time, I’m ok.”
I always took what you said to heart. Probably because everything you said was so smart.
Every time you came home from tour you spent all your hours with us. No matter how tired you were, how many time zones you traveled, you were there for us.
Whenever I was sick you would take care of me. You would cuddle with me, hug me, kiss me. You didn’t care about getting sick. You would stay up all night to make sure my fever went down. And if it didn’t, you would wake me up and give me my medicine. I would open my eyes, see you, and feel better.
I have so many memories with you but one of my favorite ones was earlier this year when I was jetlagged and we watched ‘Purple Rain ‘. We were staying at the BHH and you came into my room when I was trying to find a movie to watch.
“How about Purple Rain?” you said. I always trusted your judgement. I put it on and immediately fell in love! We then got to your favorite song, ‘The Beautiful Ones’.
“This song is so special it doesn’t even belong in a genre. When I was in my twenties, I saw this in the theatre and some guy started cracking up laughing at this scene and song. It got me really mad, ” you said.
I fell in love with the song too and listened to it on repeat.
Our special connection was always the arts. Poems, books, music, writing. We both have a unconditional love for it.
Who’s going to introduce me to movies like ‘Purple Rain’ and songs like ‘The Beautiful Ones’ now? I’m hoping I will find some because you trained me so well.
I know you are still here, and the warmth I feel beneath the cold, is you. YOU ARE THE BEST FATHER IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD. And I know, that if this wasn’t an accident, you’d still be cuddling with me watching ‘Purple Rain’.
I love you and miss you so, Daddy. You deserve your own day to be celebrated because you are the best dad anyone could ever have. Happy Father’s Day!
Love,
Your Baby Toni
Lillian Jean Cornell
Papa,
A couple summers ago we were biking around Central Park and you told me that there aren’t many truly good people in the world, but that I was one of the few. You always had such firm confidence and pride in what I did, and your warmth and love inspired me to do my best.
Now more than ever, I want to live my life to help others as you did. I want to continue to make you proud. Toni, C and I promise to survive, persevere and thrive, as we’ve always done. I’m so proud to be your baby, I love you more than words can say and I will miss you forever.
Your ladybug,
Lily
