Chris Cornell’s widow, Vicky, celebrated what would have been the late Soundgarden frontman’s 60th birthday this past weekend by sharing a snippet of unreleased music online. Specifically, an Instagram post previewed a cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car,” and there are apparently plans to release more music in the future.
The post, uploaded this past Saturday (July 20th), included a montage of live concert footage, interview clips and behind-the-scenes moments of Cornell over the years. This was scored by a previously unheard recording of the iconic musician performing a unique take on Chapman’s 1988 hit single, “Fast Car” — which received a profile boost in 2023 following a cover from country artist Luke Combs. It’s as yet unclear when Cornell recorded this.
“Although everyone that loved [Chris] is sad that he’s no longer here, it’s all of you, the fans who made him, whose love has continued to keep his legacy alive. I’m so grateful to you all for that,” Vicky Cornell wrote. “While I remember him best as the wonderful husband, father and human being he was – I’d like to celebrate his whole life and everything he gave us.”
She added: “On his 60th we can all celebrate his genius as an artist who redefined music, but also the incredible man who touched and changed lives. He’s an icon, and he gave us all so much – his unique voice, his poetry, his creativity… his life was a gift to so many. And as you can hear – there’s more to come!!!”
It’s unclear whether Chris Cornell’s “Fast Car” cover will be released in full or what other posthumous releases are forthcoming from the former Soundgarden/Audioslave/Temple of the Dog frontman.
A posthumous compilation titled No One Sings Like You Anymore Vol. 1, which included covers of Prince and Guns N’ Roses songs, was released in 2020.