Nine years after the breakup of his band Soundgarden – through which he paved the way for the Seattle grunge sound, Cornell has become and enduring musical and cultural icon. Cornell, inspired by songwriters from Elvis Costello to Bruce Springsteen, says “the most exciting thing is to let yourself expose your true, vulnerable feelings, which is what resonates with people most.” Soundgarden, were named after a wind sculpture in Seattle, and in 1994 Soundgarden hit it big with Superunknown and its crossover single “Black Hole Sun,” selling more than three million copies and earning two Grammy Awards. Soundgarden retained momentum with their most experimental release, 1996’s acclaimed Down on the Upside.They soon disbanded, releasing a best-of collection, A-Sides (1997), as a goodbye of sorts.