Josh Homme, Melvins, More Added to Chris Cornell Tribute Concert
Organizers of tonight’s Chris Cornell tribute concert announced last-minute lineup additions, with Josh Homme, the Melvins and Fiona Apple set to join Metallica, Foo Fighters, Ryan Adams and surviving members of Soundgarden, Audioslave and Temple of the Dog.
Chris Stapleton, Miley Cyrus, Brandi Carlile and Miguel were also confirmed for I Am the Highway: A Tribute to Chris Cornell, which takes place at the Forum in Los Angeles, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.
Faith No More singer Mike Patton bowed out as a result of illness, which also forced him to abandon plans to sing the National Anthem at an NFL playoffs game last weekend.
“Best wishes to my friends Ben [Sherman], Kim [Thayill] and Matt [Cameron] and to Chris‘s family,” he said in a statement. “It is going to be quite an evening. I also want to thank the Los Angeles Rams for the invitation to sing the national anthem last weekend. A bad week to not be feeling good.”
“We are honored to have all these amazing artists and friends come together to pay tribute to and show their love and appreciation for Chris, his music and the mark he’s left on the world,” Cornell’s widow Vicky said when the event was announced. “We look forward to sharing this night with all the fans.” Profits will be donated to the Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation and the Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation.
Meanwhile, guitar makers Gibson announced the release of a limited-edition Cornell tribute instrument. Based on their ES-335 model, only 250 guitars will be for sale. “Chris Cornell was not only one of the most iconic singer songwriters of all time, he was a modern innovator who left a legacy that transcends music genres and generations," said Gibson’s chief merchant officer Cesar Gueikian.
"It is our honor to release this tribute ES-335 in his memory. It's a guitar Chris fell in love with and which became a part of his creative expression. Chris was a special artist and we hope that this guitar will inspire fans to find their sound, and inspiration, just like Chris did, for many years to come.”