“And all my friends are skeletons (They beat the rhythm with their bones)”

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If you’ve followed this blog for any significant length of time (or simply became engrossed in my archives one long, dark night – of either season or soul), then you know I was – and remain – a big fan of Chris Cornell.

 

At this point I’ll ask that you please forgive me if I come across as either “band wagon jumping” or trying to exploit his death.

 

I assure you, neither is the case (although the latter is a touch closer to the Truth, while still being false).

 

 

 

See, I happen to believe his suicide teaches a very valuable lesson.

 

The likes of which is rarely seen in the ‘sphere today.

 

Worse yet, it’d have been completely absent (except for my blog, dear readers) years ago.

 

 

 

I’ll offer a few quotes from the man himself to set the stage:

 

“Children should always feel like the adults are living in this world to nurture them, to take care of them, to protect them from any bad thing that might come.”

 

“The reason there’s no modern-day Shakespeare is because he didn’t have anything to do except sit in a room with a candle and think.”

 

“I got in touch with the creative process between the age of 14 and 16, mainly because I was alone so much.”

 

“Most frontmen are not born hams like David Lee Roth. We’re more like Joey Ramone: awkward geeks who somehow find our place in the world on the stage.”

 

“The focus on my wife and my children, it really helps me make sense of the music side of it somehow.”

 

Lastly, for our purposes:

 

“I used to work in jobs I hated because I needed the money to buy a guitar. I know what it feels like to be depressed. On the other hand, I also know what it feels like to have money, to be successful, to be independent, but I can tell you that money and success never solve your problems.”

 

What we have here, to all evidence and appearances, is an isolated (first by others; then by self, due to comfortable – if painful – familiarity), troubled child that, in many ways, never grew up.

 

 

 

Now, that’s not me taking cheap shots at him, by far.

 

I’m simply pointing out that, due to a lack of parental guidance, the absence of a strong circle of friends, and possession of a tremendous talent in which he could easily hide then utilize to get what he was lacking – to a certain (if unfulfilling) degree, he neither confronted nor solved any of his issues.

 

Women would certainly always be there. 

 

Keep in mind, at the time the tweet below references, Val Kilmer was sexually desired by countless women yet Chris Cornell stole them with minimal effort:

 

 

 

 

 

In fact, along with his incredible talent mentioned above and noted drug/alcohol dependence, I’d wager Chris Cornell never even Truly acknowledged those childhood-originating issues.

 

But, as many an internal-demon-plagued man has attested:

 

You can’t outrun yourself.

 

 

 

I don’t believe it’s any coincidence that he committed suicide during the period of his life in which it was increasingly (if only relatively) difficult to avoid his personal troubles.

 

He’d “cleaned up”, entered his fifties and became more acclimated to family life and responsibility.

 

All of which will certainly make a man look much harder inwardly, no doubt. 

 

 

 

Now, those of you who’ve ► read my second book ◄ know I will not call Chris Cornell a coward.

 

Nor, frankly, will I call him selfish.

 

Instead, I’ll merely state the lesson all of this was intended to impart:

 

Women.

 

Fame.

 

Money.

 

All of the things folks will try to sell you on (especially in these parts) won’t repair the damaged little boy inside.

 

They’ll just further isolate him.

 

So when he’s finally heard—

 

The sobs are soul-shattering.

 

 

 

Thus, sing  “save me” all you wish.

 

Eleven times, even.

 

But be damn sure to sing it to folks that will listen.

 

Making certain—

 

That one of them is yourself.

 

 

 

 

 

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