(Photo: Chris Cornell @ Las Vegas Hard Rock Grand Opening 10.15.2009, Jeffgarden.com)

Chris Cornell’s Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) Session From 2013

secondcityrocker
Hey Chris, so what's your opinion on people using their smartphones to record video at concerts?
ChrisCornellSG
I’m fine with it

chark311
Which tour was better: your first official tour, where you first realized people were actually coming to see you guys, or your reunion tour
ChrisCornellSG
definitely the reunion tour

Nevertoogrungy
Will you acknowledge my existence ?
ChrisCornellSG
no

cosne18
What is the one song that is personally the hardest for you to sing and why?
ChrisCornellSG
Every single song is different. Its not about range. Sometimes the highest ones are easy. The ones that are the hardest sometimes are the easiest because I focus on it so much. For example: The Day I Tried To Live.

tishaneverminds
is it hard to ride a Segway ?
ChrisCornellSG
Much easier than I thought. They should make a high performance one.

courtmcc
What's the first song you learned on guitar?
ChrisCornellSG
sunshine on my shoulders by John Denver http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrI_VXLUcFk

gelmottshall
Have you or are you planning on seeing Jurassic Park 3D?
ChrisCornellSG
I actually think 3D is ruining cinema.

themac10
What is your favorite song from Badmotorfinger?
ChrisCornellSG
Rusty Cage has the best mix.
Slaves and Bulldozers is definitely the most fun to play live.

ClownSuitCowboy
Did your vocal style come naturally at first, or was it something you had to work at to refine when you began making music? And what was it like the first time you heard yourself recorded singing with a band, did you hear it and think you could someday helm a world-famous outfit like Soundgarden?
ChrisCornellSG
Singing to me was just about having fun. It’s always evolving.

Oidisco
What was it like performing Black Hole Sun with an orchestra at E3 a few years ago?ChrisCornellSG
hard because I couldn't see the conductor

[User since deleted account]
What is your first memory of music?
ChrisCornellSG
a children's record that included the song "she'll be coming 'round the mountain when she comes" when I was two and a half.


AverageCommentary
Can you pleasepleaseplease sing Right Turn when you headline festivals in May with Alice in Chains?
ChrisCornellSG
Sorry, don’t know the song

MidgetCommander
Hey Chris, if you could be in any other band, who would you be in?
ChrisCornellSG
The Tubes

suddengroan
what do you like to eat for breakfast?
ChrisCornellSG
don’t eat breakfast

Nevertoogrungy
What are your favorite things to do on your day off ?
ChrisCornellSG
being with my family

MissTweedy
What songs do your wife and kids like to hear you sing ?
ChrisCornellSG
The ones that are about them 

QueenJames
Can you please bring back Audioslave? Please???
ChrisCornellSG
Sure

deaddogseye81
Hey Chris. Over the years, Kim Thayil has mentioned a possible album of Soundgarden b-sides. Are you still going to put that out? Also, what are the chances of remastering Temple of the Dog?
ChrisCornellSG
for sure, don't know when, but its likely the next release we do.

imaac
Can you start playing Blind Dogs live ?
ChrisCornellSG
We did it at the PBS Artists Den performance at the Wiltern for the first time in 15 years. Our friend Ross Halfin asked us to do it.

imaac
Is Beast ever going to be released ?
ChrisCornellSG
yeah, It probably will be

[Question deleted, but obviously asking about dream collaboration]
ChrisCornellSG
Its a catch 22, because the ones I would want to collaborate the most with I would be too afraid to collaborate with. For example John Lennon, how would you sit in a room and collaborate with him? I'd feel unworthy. 

chang-ed
Over the years, what is the best venue you’ve played at ?
ChrisCornellSG
Sydney Opera House

haihappen2
What are your favourite sports teams? And to which music do you listen in your free time?
ChrisCornellSG
My son's favorite team is the Miami Heat and since he is the coolest person I know, I'm going with The Heat.

ethereyes
What is your favorite perfume/fragrance ?
ChrisCornellSG
lysol (and you can drink it)

leonard_cohens_pants
Favorite super hero ?
ChrisCornellSG
incredible hulk, he’s just like my dad

Haluminescence
Hey there Chris, do you have a favorite kind of guitar? Either electric or acoustic?
ChrisCornellSG
I mostly play acoustics when song writing.
When I plug in I play my [Gibson 335 Cornell Model] (http://cms.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/ES/Gibson-Custom/Chris-Cornell-ES-335.aspx)

ShaelRiley
You've been covered many times, by many different artists. Out of all those covers of your work, do you have a favorite or two that come to mind?

PS: I've done a cover of Preaching the End of the World myself. I'd be extremely gratified to know you heard it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs3IyJ2tRBo

PPS: Thanks for the decades of excellent music. You've been one of my favorite singer-songwriters for more than half my life.
ChrisCornellSG
billie jean http://youtu.be/c2MgwAJrfXo

ThePotatoWizard
Hi Chris, me and my friend are huge fans and we were wondering if you have a cat or like cats?
ChrisCornellSG
I like cats, I have a lamp made out of one

Zrk2
What album that you have worked on is your favourite?

Which side project did you find the most rewarding?

Finally, a local radio DJ claims you could sing the phonebook and still sound amazing. Would you be willing to try it? For science?
ChrisCornellSG
done it

azapuk
Cats, dogs, or other ?
ChrisCornellSG
dogs or falcons

LovededYouPiggy

Hi Chris! Thank you so much for doing this AMA.

1. What are some of your non-musical hobbies?
2. What would you want to do if being a musician didn't pan out?
   ChrisCornellSG

fuck, I don’t have any

OhhStargazer
Hey Chris…what’s your favorite Jeff Buckley Song ?
ChrisCornellSG
I love the cover he did of the Big Star song [Kangaroo] (http://youtu.be/KrprtydmcNk)

Frajer
What is a Spoonman and what inspired that song ?
ChrisCornellSG
spoonman is a real guy that is a virtuoso spoon player and brilliant entertainer, as well as a super unique and great person. he's in the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0_zzCLLRvE

CherryRedSixtySeven
Any chance of another Temple Of The Dog album?

I was at the Soundgarden show in Hyde Park last year. It was an amazing gig. When it started to hammer down with rain in the middle of Black Hole Sun the whole thing jumped up several notches vibe-wise, and stayed there for the rest of the show. Did you notice that, and what was it about the bleak weather that added so much to the performance and atmosphere?

I missed my chance to see you on the Down On The Upside tour back when I was a teenager. I just couldn't make the gig. Figured I'd catch you the next time around. It took longer than I expected. So glad you're back together.
ChrisCornellSG
YES !

Stubbula
Will you and Eddie Vedder make some more music, please? I love both of your voices.
ChrisCornellSG
Sure.

newdawnrising
Hey Chris,

What do you do to warm up your voice before a performance?

ChrisCornellSG
soundcheck, sometimes vocal exercises, sometimes nothing. the best warm up for me is singing the songs. or a quality cigar.

bfisher91
How does it feel to be one of the only people Ringo Starr is following on twitter?! (Have you ever met him?)
ChrisCornellSG
Yes, I have met him. He is an inspiring individual.



[User account has since been deleted]
When is Soundgarden going to tour India? You have heaps of fans here!
ChrisCornellSG
I would love to tour India, we'll meditate on it



MannOfDiversity
What is your favorite Beatles song ?
ChrisCornellSG
they’re all my favorites

[Question deleted but obviously referring to Matt Cameron]

ChrisCornellSG
He’s one of the best drummers/musicians ever