As a huge grunge rock fan and amateur guitarist, I am saddened by the news of Soundgarden front man Chris Cornell’s passing Wednesday, possibly from suicide. Strangely, he and the recently reunited Soundgarden had just played a show in Detroit.

While not a fan of Cornell’s far-left activism, I am a big fan of Soundgarden and Cornell the artist. He was a powerful vocalist for a band known for its heavy sound, creativity and unique arrangements. These all combined to make them an original, one-of-a-kind band. With his passing the grunge era has lost it’s four greatest vocalists and front men: he along with Kurt Cobain, Scott Weiland and Layne Staley defined the era for me and changed music forever.