In a moment of harmony, the lingering discord between Soundgarden and the late Chris Cornell‘s widow, Vicky Cornell, appears to have been laid to rest. The two parties recently took to Instagram to announce that an ‘out-of-court resolution’ has been reached, signaling an end to the longstanding dispute.
At the heart of the conflict between Vicky and the band members was the ownership of several unreleased songs recorded prior to Chris Cornell’s death in 2017. This conflict persisted for years, casting a shadow over the band’s legacy and affecting their relationship with Chris’s estate.
The disagreement escalated to legal battles, with Vicky filing a lawsuit in 2019 alleging that the band was withholding royalties in an attempt to pressure her into handing over the rights to the unreleased tracks. Meanwhile, Soundgarden members maintained that they had a rightful claim to the material as it was created collaboratively with Chris as part of the band’s work.
In the recently shared statement, both Soundgarden and Vicky Cornell conveyed their pleasure in reaching an amicable agreement, emphasizing that it would enable fans to access the last songs Chris and the band had worked on. Moreover, the statement underscored their mutual dedication to honoring and building upon Soundgarden’s impressive legacy and Chris’s lasting influence on music history.
Their words regarding the matter read:
“Soundgarden and Vicky Cornell, on behalf of the Estate of Chris Cornell, are happy to announce they have reached an amicable out-of-court resolution. The reconciliation marks a new partnership between the two parties, which will allow Soundgarden fans around the world to hear the final songs that the band and Chris were working on.
The two parties are united and coming together to propel, honor and build upon Soundgarden’s incredible legacy as well as Chris’s indelible mark on music history – as one of the greatest songwriters and vocalists of all time.”
In light of this resolution, a new chapter unfolds for Soundgarden and Chris Cornell’s estate. Their collaboration and dedication to preserving Chris’s memory act as the foundation for their renewed partnership. Fans worldwide can now anticipate the release of the unreleased tracks, celebrating Chris Cornell’s extraordinary talent and the timeless legacy of Soundgarden.
