Get unlimited access to everything VICE has to offer.

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

4 Magazines Delivered to Your Door

This Late Grunge Icon With a Genre-Defining Voice Would Have Celebrated His 62nd Birthday Today

Late grunge icon Chris Cornell was born in Seattle, Washington, on July 20, 1964, and would have been celebrating his 62nd birthday in 2026.

By Stephen Andrew Galiher

Share on X (Opens in new window)X

Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Facebook

Share using Native toolsShareCopied to clipboard

On July 20, 1964, the world was introduced to Chris Cornell, an iconic voice of the grunge music generation. Sadly, the Soundgarden singer passed away in 2017, but would have been celebrating his 62nd birthday today.

Chris Cornell was born in Seattle, Washington, in the mid-60s. He discovered a love for music at an early age, and quickly gravitated to performing. In the early 80s, he became friends with bassist Hiro Yamamoto and guitarist Kim Thayil. This set the stage for their legendary grunge rock band.

Officially formed in 1984, Soundgarden went on to become not just one of the biggest grunge bands of the 90s, but one of the biggest rock bands of all time. The band released five albums before splitting up in 1997.

Chris Cornell released 5 solo albums, in addition to his work with........

© Vice