Fans might have been unsuccessful in getting a black hole named after late frontman Chris Cornell, but Soundgarden fans still have plenty to be pumped about with the launch of the new book Dark Black & Blue: The Soundgarden Story this week.
Penned by Greg Prato, the novel tracks the band’s history and includes contributions from artists including Matt Pinfield, Dave Wyndorf (Monster Magnet), Phil Anselmo (Pantera), and Marky Ramone (The Ramones).
Says the synopsis of the book;
“In addition to dissecting and analysing all of their albums, readers will learn about the stories behind many of their classic songs such as Black Hole Sun, Jesus Christ Pose, Outshined, Hands All Over and Flower, as well as recollections of tours, goings-on behind the scenes, and singer Chris Cornell’s surprising and tragic death in 2017.”
Check out photos from the bands final ever rehearsal in 2017
Writing on his own website Songfacts, Prato noted that “the book tells the Seattle band’s complete story – beginning with its members’ pre-SG days, all the way to today.”
Included in the book are testimonials from musicians who toured alongside the band, including Marky Ramones recollection of meeting the band at Lollapalooza.
“They had this great tour bus, and we had a 15-passenger Ford Econoline, and they wanted to drive with us in the van” reads one of the excerpts.
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“That was one thing I remembered on the Lollapalooza tour. They were one of the headliners. And at that moment, they were huge.
“A lot of the times… would wait until they came on stage – and they kicked ass. For their genre, they were the best band.”
Check out this amazing footage of ‘Jesus Christ Pose’, live in 1992
Prato’s other work has included celebrated works Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music, and Too High to Die: Meet The Meat Puppets, each giving in-depth insight to the sounds in and around Seattle in the late ’80s and ’90s.
The book is sure to tide over fans while they wait to see if the unreleased record the band were recording when Cornell passed will ever surface.
Last week Chris Cornell’s daughter Toni released her first song, produced by Chris. Check it out below.
‘Far Away Places’, produced by Chris Cornell
Purchase your copy of The Dark Black and Blue here.
