Universal Music Group chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge has paid tribute to Chris Cornell following the Soundgarden and Audioslave singer's shock death at the age of 52.
Cornell died on Wednesday night in Detroit, hours after performing a concert with Soundgarden. US officials have confirmed that the musician took his own life.
"We mourn the loss of Chris Cornell, one of the most powerful, emotive and influential vocalists of his generation," said Sir Lucian. "His distinctive voice and music moulded a sound that defined a decade, and influences artists to this day. The world has lost a great one - all too soon. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."
Higher Truth, Cornell's fourth and final solo studio album, was released in 2015 via Universal Music Enterprises.
Cornell was born on July 20, 1964, and became a key figure in the grunge movement. He was most famous as singer of Soundgarden, who formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984. They broke up in 1997, but reunited in 2010 and have released a total of six albums.
Last year, they confirmed plans to record new material. The group’s most successful record in the UK was 1994 LP Superunknown, which peaked at No.4 and has sold 268,915 copies to date, according to the Official Charts Company
Cornell joined rock supergroup Audioslave in 2001, they went on to release three albums before disbanding in 2007.
He released four albums as a solo artist, the most recent of which was Higher Truth. In 2006 he released the single You Know My Name, which was used as the theme for Bond film Casino Royale. It peaked at No.7 in the UK and has sold 270,843 copies to date.
Musicians Jimmy Page, Dave Navarro, Bethany Cosentino and Mark Tremonti are among those to have posted touching tributes to the singer.
RIP Chris Cornell
— Jimmy Page (@JimmyPage) May 18, 2017
Incredibly Talented
Incredibly Young
Incredibly Missed. pic.twitter.com/pKNI4tKiXz
RIP. So young. So sad ???? pic.twitter.com/61JjmdVFDC
— Best Coast (@BestCoast) May 18, 2017
RIP Chris Cornell. Chris was the most influential singer to me as a writer. I just saw him perform days ago. Completely devastated
— Mark Tremonti (@MarkTremonti) May 18, 2017
SO SO stunned to hear about Chris Cornell! Such a terrible and sad loss! Thinking of his family tonight! RIP
— Dave Navarro (@DaveNavarro) May 18, 2017
FOLLOW 
