Latest news with #ChrisCornell
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
New supergroup created in tribute to Chris Cornell
Chris Cornell's friends have created a tribute supergroup called King Ultramega to release covers of his songs to raise money for charity. The Soundgarden frontman, who died in 2017, is being remembered with the project which will feature a rotating line-up of musicians recording new versions of Cornell's tracks to bring in funds for the MusiCares organisation. Metal Allegiance rocker Mark Menghi, who organised the project, said: "There is not a singular moment in time that led to this project. It was a trail of events that led to the formation of King Ultramega and the evolving creation to pay tribute to the voice of a generation." The first iteration of King Ultramega features Menghi on bass with Alice In Chains frontman William DuVall on vocals, Mastodon rocker Bill Kelliher plays guitar and Anthrax's Charlie Benante behind the drums. They have recorded a cover of Rusty Cage, which featured on Soundgarden's 1991 album Badmotorfinger. The next line-up will include Cornell's Soundgarden bandmate Kim Thayil, who said: "I'm super honoured to record alongside all the amazing musicians appearing on the King Ultramega project. "I'm equally proud that it celebrates Soundgarden in this tribute to the songwriting of Chris. Ultra-admirably, everyone's participation is supporting the work of the MusiCares Foundation." The news comes after it was revealed a new Soundgarden album featuring Cornell could finally see the light of day. On the eighth anniversary of Cornell's death, bassist Ben Shepherd said there is an album the band made with the singer before his passing, which is "yet to be named", suggesting it could be released in the future. Chris Cornell's friends have created a tribute supergroup called King Ultramega to release covers of his songs to raise money for charity. The Soundgarden frontman, who died in 2017, is being remembered with the project which will feature a rotating line-up of musicians recording new versions of Cornell's tracks to bring in funds for the MusiCares organisation. Metal Allegiance rocker Mark Menghi, who organised the project, said: "There is not a singular moment in time that led to this project. It was a trail of events that led to the formation of King Ultramega and the evolving creation to pay tribute to the voice of a generation." The first iteration of King Ultramega features Menghi on bass with Alice In Chains frontman William DuVall on vocals, Mastodon rocker Bill Kelliher plays guitar and Anthrax's Charlie Benante behind the drums. They have recorded a cover of Rusty Cage, which featured on Soundgarden's 1991 album Badmotorfinger. The next line-up will include Cornell's Soundgarden bandmate Kim Thayil, who said: "I'm super honoured to record alongside all the amazing musicians appearing on the King Ultramega project. "I'm equally proud that it celebrates Soundgarden in this tribute to the songwriting of Chris. Ultra-admirably, everyone's participation is supporting the work of the MusiCares Foundation." The news comes after it was revealed a new Soundgarden album featuring Cornell could finally see the light of day. On the eighth anniversary of Cornell's death, bassist Ben Shepherd said there is an album the band made with the singer before his passing, which is "yet to be named", suggesting it could be released in the future. Chris Cornell's friends have created a tribute supergroup called King Ultramega to release covers of his songs to raise money for charity. The Soundgarden frontman, who died in 2017, is being remembered with the project which will feature a rotating line-up of musicians recording new versions of Cornell's tracks to bring in funds for the MusiCares organisation. Metal Allegiance rocker Mark Menghi, who organised the project, said: "There is not a singular moment in time that led to this project. It was a trail of events that led to the formation of King Ultramega and the evolving creation to pay tribute to the voice of a generation." The first iteration of King Ultramega features Menghi on bass with Alice In Chains frontman William DuVall on vocals, Mastodon rocker Bill Kelliher plays guitar and Anthrax's Charlie Benante behind the drums. They have recorded a cover of Rusty Cage, which featured on Soundgarden's 1991 album Badmotorfinger. The next line-up will include Cornell's Soundgarden bandmate Kim Thayil, who said: "I'm super honoured to record alongside all the amazing musicians appearing on the King Ultramega project. "I'm equally proud that it celebrates Soundgarden in this tribute to the songwriting of Chris. Ultra-admirably, everyone's participation is supporting the work of the MusiCares Foundation." The news comes after it was revealed a new Soundgarden album featuring Cornell could finally see the light of day. On the eighth anniversary of Cornell's death, bassist Ben Shepherd said there is an album the band made with the singer before his passing, which is "yet to be named", suggesting it could be released in the future.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Chris Cornell's pals create tribute supergroup King Ultramega
Chris Cornell's friends have created a tribute supergroup called King Ultramega to release covers of his songs to raise money for charity. The Soundgarden frontman - who died in 2017 - is being remembered by pals and former bandmates with the King Ultramega project which will feature a rotating line-up of musicians recording new versions of his tracks to bring in funds for the the MusiCares organisation. Metal Allegiance rocker Mark Menghi, who organised the project, said "There is not a singular moment in time that led to this project. It was a trail of events that led to the formation of King Ultramega and the evolving creation to pay tribute to the voice of a generation." The first iteration of King Ultramega features Menghi on bass with Alice In Chains frontman William DuVall taking on vocal duties, Mastodon rocker Bill Kelliher plays guitar and Anthrax's Charlie Benante behind the drums. They have recorded a cover of Rusty Cage, which featured on Soundgarden's 1991 album Badmotorfinger. The next line-up will include Cornell's Soundgarden bandmate Kim Thayil, who said: "I'm super honored to record alongside all the amazing musicians appearing on the King Ultramega project. "I'm equally proud that it celebrates Soundgarden in this tribute to the songwriting of Chris. Ultra-admirably, everyone's participation is supporting the work of the MusiCares Foundation." The news comes after it was revealed new Soundgarden album featuring Cornell could finallt see the light of day. On the eighth anniversary of the Grunge legend's death (18.05.25), bassist Ben Shepherd has revealed there is an album they made with the Black Hole Sun singer before his passing, which is "yet to be named", suggesting it could be released in the future. In a post on Instagram on the anniversary, Shepherd wrote : "As I wait for my son Noah to get out of school today I'm thinking about … well actually it's stuck in my head and's been there since early this morning like a proud spring bird dammit. 'Its a song Chris and Matt wrote The Road Less Traveled for our album that has yet to be named, just hearing Chris' voice helps, I know he did that for everyone he knew … help them, he did for me, filled with self doubt and indebtedness and in just his tone knew what I was going through and forgave me like he always did even when he was older. "It's at this point of recording all of our previous albums I'd get this overwhelming hit of awe, camaraderie, power of creativity, majesty even, and love, from the music, and my bandmates ... and I guess just pure life force. 'I can tell you, it feels good and invigorating to hear Chris singing from over that horizon and hear the mighty… mighty life, of souls sharing. To hear, as a fan … and band member, a song or two Chris brought in a few years ago turn before my very ears and finger blisters into a full blown Soundgarden tune is like feeling a glacier fall away off your chest."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
King Ultramega Supergroup Pays Tribute to Chris Cornell With ‘Rusty Cage' Cover
A raft of talented musicians come together to form the new King Ultramega supergroup and pay tribute to late Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell in the process. The nascent group made their debut on Friday (July 18), sharing a rendition of Soundgarden's 'Rusty Cage' – the opening track to 1991's Grammy-nominated Badmotorfinger. More from Billboard Mariah Carey 'MC16' Album Details Coming Tomorrow Fans Choose BTS' 'Permission to Dance On Stage' Live Album as This Week's Favorite New Music 'JACKBOYS 2' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart Leading the charge in King Ultramega is vocalist William DuVall of Alice in Chains, who is joined by Mastodon's Bill Kelliher on guitars, Anthrax and Pantera's Charlie Benante on drums, while Metal Allegiance's Mark Menghi serves as bassist and mastermind for the project. 'I just leaned into my love for the song and my immense respect for Chris,' DuVall of the cover. 'Since the instrumental track Bill, Charlie, and Mark sent hewed so closely to the original, I thought it best for me to stay in that ballpark as well.' According to Menghi, the project started back during the COVID-19 pandemic when he recorded a rendition of the track with friends. After being initially apprehensive of the project given the lofty standards set by Cornell, Menghi's position changed once Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil became involved and re-recorded one of his own tracks for the project. 'There is not a singular moment in time that led to this project,' explained Menghi. 'It was a trail of events that led to the formation of King Ultramega and the evolving creation to pay tribute to the voice of a generation.' Future releases in the series will feature songs from across Cornell's career, with selections taken from his work with Soundgarden, Audioslave, and his own solo career. Each track will also be raising funds and awareness for MusiCares, with the likes of Joe Satriani, Alissa White-Gluz and Kenny Aronoff all set to appear in the future. 'My reason for participating was simply taking on an interesting challenge when so much of the world was shut down,' added DuVall. 'I had no thoughts or ambitions for this beyond our posting it on social media five years ago. But if this release can help further the good work done by MusiCares, then I'm all for it.' 'I'm super honored to record alongside all the amazing musicians appearing on the King Ultramega project,' Thayil added in a statement. 'I'm equally proud that it celebrates Soundgarden in this tribute to the songwriting of Chris. Ultra-admirably, everyone's participation is supporting the work of the MusiCares Foundation.' Soundgarden officially disbanded in 2017 following Cornell's passing at the age of 52. In recent years, a handful of reunion performances have taken place, including a December benefit gig under the moniker Nudedragons with vocalist Shaina Shepherd in December. Members of Soundgarden had also previously been announced as performers for the recent Back To The Beginning farewell concert for Ozzy Osbourne at Villa Park in Birmingham, England on July 5, though ultimately did not attend. 'We are very grateful to Tony, Ozzy, Geezer and Bill, as well as Sharon Osbourne and music director, Tom Morello for the honor and invitation to Soundgarden to perform at the Back to the Beginning festival!' a statement on Soundgarden's official Instagram account read. 'We are super bummed and regret that we were unable to coordinate the schedules of our individual and collective projects to attend and contribute to the festival.' Hear King Ultramega's 'Rusty Cage' cover below. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Soundgarden Just Revealed Why They Skipped Ozzy's Black Sabbath Farewell Show
The former members of Soundgarden are explaining their absence from Back to the Beginning, the epic Black Sabbath farewell show fronted by Ozzy Osbourne on July 5. In a post shared to Instagram on July 13, the grunge rock icons, who disbanded in 2018 following the death of founding member Chris Cornell, explained why they were not at the Back to the Beginning despite a previous teaser that the surviving members would reunite for the show at Villa Park in Birmingham, England. 'We are very grateful to Tony, Ozzy, Geezer, and Bill, as well as Sharon Osbourne and music director, Tom Morello for the honor and invitation to Soundgarden to perform at the Back to the Beginning festival!' the Soundgarden musicians captioned a throwback photo that featured Osbourne and Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi. 'We are super bummed and regret that we were unable to coordinate the schedules of our individual and collective projects to attend and contribute to the festival. The warmth, love and support from the Black Sabbath team has been a continuing source of encouragement and strength throughout our career.' The message also included congratulations to Black Sabbath and a thank you for the inspiration they provided for 'scores of other bands, musicians and songwriters.' In May, The Guardian reported that Sharon Osbourne confirmed that the surviving members of Soundgarden would appear on the Back to the Beginning bill that included Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Alice in Chains, Anthrax, and many more. But not everyone who was invited to perform made it to the show. In an interview with Metal Hammer in June, Sharon Osbourne revealed she got into a dispute with one of the bands that had been previously announced for Back to the Beginning. 'I had a huge, huge to-do with a manager over this celebration for Ozzy and Sabbath,' she told the outlet. 'And it was probably the worst way I've felt in years. … And he's now going around making up bulls--- lies because I threw his band off the bill.' Weeks later, she elaborated, telling Billboard she was forced to remove the unanmed band from the lineup because they 'wanted to make a profit' from the charity event. 'And it's not the time to make a profit,' she said. 'After the show, I'll let everybody know who it was. I think people will be shocked.' Soundgarden isn't the first band to address an absence from Back to the Beginning. Originally announced guest Wolfgang Van Halen told Detroit's Meltdown on 101 WRIF that he had a scheduling conflict after initially agreeing to the performance in Birmingham, England. "I, unfortunately, had to back out because the Creed tour [with my Mammoth as support] starts the day after, and I [wouldn't] be able to pull it off — unfortunately,' Van Halen explained in late June. On July 11, Motley Crue founding member Nikki Sixx told fans on X that his band would have liked to have been part of the rock festival but were 'having health issues within the band." Sixx also posted a congratulatory message the day after the show to note that Osbourne played a pivotal role in Motley Crue's success with the joint Shout at the Devil tour in Just Revealed Why They Skipped Ozzy's Black Sabbath Farewell Show first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 14, 2025
Axios
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Where potential 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame reunions stand
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's class of 2025 includes four acts fans would love to see reunite. State of play: Rap duo Outkast hasn't performed together in a decade. The White Stripes disbanded in 2011. Soundgarden has been in limbo since lead singer Chris Cornell died in 2017. Health issues have sidelined Bad Company since 2019. Flashback: The Rock Hall ceremony has featured high-profile reunions before, including Led Zeppelin, Cream, Talking Heads and others. There have also been reunions that weren't, with members of bands like Guns N' Roses, Van Halen, Grateful Dead and others opting not to show up. What we're hearing: Soundgarden nearly reunited earlier this summer. The band would need a fill-in singer for the Rock Hall ceremony, much like Nirvana in 2014. Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke has said a reunion is "yet to be decided." Singer Paul Rodgers' health and the recent death of guitarist Mick Ralphs complicate things. Between the lines: Outkast's Andre 3000 has said he isn't interested in rapping, instead focusing on instrumental jazz music. Jack White, of The White Stripes, has remained active as a solo artist, but drummer Meg White has been out of the public eye for over a decade.
