Chris Cornell's 60th birthday came with a surprise for fans – a clip of the late Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman covering Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car'.
In a tribute clip for the occasion, Cornell's widow Vicky shared a previously unheard excerpt from Cornell's cover of the Chapman classic on July 20.
The rocker died in 2017 aged 52 in Detroit after a Soundgarden show.
“Chris would have turned 60 today. While everyone who loved him is sad that he is no longer here, it is all of you, the fans who built him up, whose love has continued to keep his legacy alive. I am so grateful to all of you for this,” Vicky wrote alongside the video.
“While I remember him best as the wonderful husband, father and man he was, I would like to celebrate his entire life and all that he gave us. In his 60th year, we can all celebrate his genius as an artist who redefined music, but also as an incredible human being who touched and changed lives.”
He added, “He's an icon and he's given us all so much — his unique voice, his poetry, his creativity. His life was a gift to so many. And as you can hear — more to come!!! I'm sharing this to thank you all for your love and support and let's celebrate together.”
The timing couldn't be more appropriate. “Fast Car” is enjoying a big comeback, with country star Luke Combs' version reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2023. Combs and Chapman even teamed up for an unforgettable duet at the 2024 Grammys, introducing the song yet another generation.
Now, Cornell's performance adds a new dimension to the song's legacy. It's a reminder of his ability to push musical boundaries, like his earlier cover of Prince's “Nothing Compares 2 U.”
The unreleased track appears to be part of a larger collection of unheard material.
In 2021, Cornell's estate released “No One Sings Like You Anymore: Volume One,” an album of covers he recorded in 2016. At the time, Vicky hinted that more would follow. Her recent Instagram post declaring “more to come!!!” had fans speculating about what else she might be waiting for.
From Soundgarden's 1994 hit “Superunknown” to the Bond song “You Know My Name,” Cornell's career has been marked by versatility, and this unearthed cover of “Fast Car,” even in its brevity, is a reminder of his ability to rethink familiarity. tunes in his unique style.
As we mark Cornell's 60th year, this musical snippet leaves fans wondering more.
Will a full version be released? Are there other covers waiting to be heard? For now, we're left with this small but impressive reminder of Cornell's enduring influence.
Watch the excerpt in the video below.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/chris-cornell-fast-car-cover-60th-birthday-1235736120/