Chris Cornell's powerful voice is one of the most distinctive in alt-rock, first heard as the frontman for seminal grunge band Soundgarden, and later as he took the helm of Audioslave.

He was a founder member of the hugely successful Soundgarden in 1984, and stayed with them as they released several multi-million selling albums, until their split in 1997.

In 1991, while still with Soundgarden, he organised the Temple of the Dog project who released Temple of the Dog in tribute to Andrew Wood - the late singer of Mother Love Bone. Temple were an early incarnation of the mega-successful grunge rockers Pearl Jam who rose from the ashes of Mother Love Bone. He also guested with Alice Cooper on the album The Last Temptation.

After Soundgarden split Cornell recorded a solo album Euphoria Morning (1999), and though it was not vastly successful it earned him a 'Best Male Rock Vocal Perfomance' nomination at the Grammys of 2000.

While writing his second solo album, Audioslave were formed and he was asked to join them to provide vocals. The recording of the Audioslave album was hampered by Cornell's drug problems, for which he later received treatment. Since that time he has remained dry, to the betterment of his voice.

After the release of three Audioslave albums, Cornell announced his largely amicable departure from the band. He had, during the preceding year, written and performed the opening titles for the James Bond film, Casino Royale, and after the break from Audioslave he returned to his solo career, releasing his second solo effort Carry On (2007).