Soundgarden has been sued by Chris Cornell’s wife Vicky. The band had been planning for new album prior to his 2017 death and had been hoping to complete those songs and eventually release them. The physical ownership of his final recordings are thought to have belonged to Cornell‘s estate and his widow Vicky. According to the PRP, TMZ reports she’s alleging Soundgarden‘s team hasn’t paid royalties for her late husband’s work with the band in a bid to force her to turn over Chris‘ final projects.

The band members have alleged that five of the seven recordings were co-written together while Vicky claims in the lawsuit that they were solely written by her husband. She’s seeking sole ownership of all seven recordings and that the band pay her the royalties that she’s allegedly owed from Soundgarden. She also alleges that Soundgarden’s guitarist Kim Thayil’s comments regarding her obstructing the release of a final Soundgarden album have put her and her family in harm’s way.

She issued a statement via Instagram, saying “This was not the way I would have chosen to move forward. But I will not be pushed aside for someone else’s convenience or gain. I will not sacrifice our children’s futures for someone else’s greed. And I will not let someone else make me feel shame because the man I loved was taken from all of us too soon.”

She continues on to say “I will do justice by my husband’s work and memory; for our children and for everything we stood for. I want to thank everyone who has stood by Chris and has supported us through this devastating time. Your love and your kindness will never be forgotten.#chriscornell forever 🖤”

Cornell’s team recently released a super deluxe box set of his full discography including stuff from Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog, Audioslave and his solo works. It contains 4CD’s, 1DVD, and a 180-gram 7LP limited-edition color vinyl. Toni Cornell, Chris’ daughter, also shared a track called “Far Away Places,” one of the last recordings Chris had done.

 

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I have been taking time these past few weeks to be grateful for all the good people around me and for those who have lifted me up at the very worst times in my life. The silver lining, during the storm, is finding and appreciating the subtle glow of those who sincerely support you in your life unconditionally. However, sometimes while you grieve the one you physically lost, you realize that you must now grieve the loss of some of those you considered friends and family as well. I am shocked at how often this occurs. It’s not just me, or the rock-star widow, or the political widow; it is the case for the vast majority of women after their partners have passed. It transcends socio-economic class, race, and religion. It is an unpleasant and unfortunately all too common theme. Hard-hearted family members, friends, and business associates; who will exploit a widow’s vulnerability when she’s broken and alone. These other people who have decided that her time is up as well. Through support groups and other widowed friends, and during both difficult and supportive conversations, I have learned that I am not a unique case. This seems to be the inevitable plight of the widow in this world and I cannot help feeling angry, sad and betrayed. I will not be bullied or shamed into silence. I will not accept something so wrong, so lacking in compassion or decency, even with the clear but unspoken threat of social rejection hanging over me. This was not the way I would have chosen to move forward. But I will not be pushed aside for someone else’s convenience or gain. I will not sacrifice our children’s futures for someone else’s greed. And I will not let someone else make me feel shame because the man I loved was taken from all of us too soon. I will do justice by my husband’s work and memory; for our children and for everything we stood for. I want to thank everyone who has stood by Chris and has supported us through this devastating time. Your love and your kindness will never be forgotten. #chriscornell forever 🖤

A post shared by Vicky Cornell (@vickycornell) on Dec 9, 2019 at 6:01am PST

Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat