Chris Cornell’s Connections to Los Angeles

With another anniversary of Chris Cornell’s tragic passing approaching, I know many of you will travel to Los Angeles to visit his grave at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. As a fellow fan, I want to share some iconic places in Los Angeles connected to Chris, along with a few other notable spots that you might enjoy visiting while you’re here.

Chris spent a lot of time in Los Angeles, owning a house in Beverly Hills with his wife Vicky from 2005 to 2013. Today, I want to list the places marked by his presence.

 

The Lingerie

Soundgarden's first appearance in Los Angeles was in February 1988 at a club called "The Lingerie," located at 6507 Sunset Blvd. You can still watch the video from this show on YouTube here. Besides Soundgarden, bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer, Jane's Addiction, X, The Romans, Hole, 4 Non Blondes, Pixies, and Nirvana all hit the stage there in the '80s and early '90s, making it a hot rock venue in Hollywood.

 

Whisky A Go-Go

As long as there has been a Los Angeles rock scene, there has been the Whisky A Go-Go. Since its opening in 1964, it has played host to rock ‘n’ roll’s most important bands, from The Doors and Janis Joplin to Led Zeppelin, Guns N' Roses, and Soundgarden. Soundgarden played at the Whisky on December 7, 1989. This show was released on VHS as “Louder Than Live,” and footage is available on YouTube here. 

The day before, they played a LA show, in Phoenix Kevin Staab, founder of 90TheOriginal, met Chris, Kim, Matt, and Jason Everman. From that moment on, Chris often wore different designs of 90 t-shirts.

While you're visiting the Whisky A Go-Go, you might also want to check out the Rainbow Bar & Grill and Canter’s Deli. The Rainbow Bar & Grill, originally meant to serve record execs, became a rockers' hangout in the '70s, attracting bands like Mötley Crüe, Poison, and Guns N' Roses. Canter’s Deli, opened in 1931, is a beloved spot known for its delicious food and classic deli atmosphere. Neither has a direct connection to Chris Cornell but are staples of LA's cultural and rock history.

 

The Roxy Theatre

A few steps from Whisky A Go-Go is The Roxy Theatre, a legendary music venue located on the Sunset Strip. Known by music lovers worldwide, The Roxy opened in 1973 with a three-night performance by Neil Young. The private lounge above, On The Rox, became a hotspot for celebrities like John Lennon, Alice Cooper, Neil Young, and Robert De Niro. Chris last played at The Roxy in 2016. My personal favorite performance from this venue is “Disappearing One” from a 2010 show, which you can watch here.

 

The Troubadour

The Troubadour has been a platform for legendary debuts since the '60s, hosting artists like Buffalo Springfield, Joni Mitchell, and James Taylor. In the '80s, it became associated with glam metal bands like Guns N' Roses. Chris performed there during the Songbook tour in 2010, delivering an unforgettable performance of “When I Am Down,” which you can watch here.

 

11AD Studio

In the late '90s, Chris spent a lot of time in Los Angeles, commuting from his home in Ojai to 11AD studio, owned by Alain Johannes and Natasha Shneider. They had known each other for years and decided to continue working together on his first solo album after collaborating on “Sunshower” and “Ave Maria.” The studio, located near the now-defunct Mustache Cafe on Melrose, was both a workspace and a place for leisure. Alain Johannes shared with me, that they often went to La Boheme nearby for meals. Many promo pictures for "Euphoria Mourning" were taken at or near the studio.

 

Hidden Hills Ranch

For a promo shoot for Alternative Press, photographer Tim Hale, Chris, Natasha, and Alain went to a ranch in Hidden Hills. Tim recalled Chris as one of the most unaffected celebrities he ever photographed, describing him as super-nice, soft-spoken, and down-to-earth. Tim said:
"The ranch was in Hidden Hills, California. The shoot was five hours. Usually, a big rock star comes with a bunch of people, like a publicist who will say, 'We have to be out of here in 30 minutes.' But he was in no hurry. The owner of the ranch was very accommodating. When I’m working, I never want to tell anyone what to do. I like to be completely invisible. These photos captured how real and down-to-earth Chris was. There were no props or anything out of the ordinary. He was one of the biggest rock stars I ever shot, but super-nice, soft-spoken, and the most normal dude. If you didn’t know he was in a huge band, you would’ve never known hanging out with him."

 

Hollywood Locations

The music video for “Can’t Change Me” was filmed at two Hollywood locations that no longer exist: Raji’s Rock Nightclub and the Hollywood Townhouse Motel. You can watch the MTV making-of here. Steps from where Raji’s used to be is Amoeba Music, the best record store in Los Angeles. You just need to visit it because it's out of this world. Note that behind the store is a parking lot, and they will validate your ticket.

 

Henson Studios

Chris recorded “Higher Truth” at Henson Studios, located at 1416 N La Brea Ave, a historic landmark founded by Charlie Chaplin and later bought by A&M. Unfortunately, it's not open to the public for tours or visits.

 

The Wiltern and The Forum

In February 2013, Soundgarden played three sold-out shows at The Wiltern during the King Animal tour. Live From the Artists Den captured this unforgettable night within the historic art deco setting of The Wiltern. The DVD includes interviews with band members and their performance.

The Forum is an iconic LA venue where practically every major artist has performed. Chris last performed there with Temple of the Dog in 2016. In 2019, this legendary venue hosted the tribute concert "I Am the Highway: A Tribute to Chris Cornell." The event was a heartfelt celebration of Chris's life and music, featuring performances by members of Soundgarden, Audioslave, Temple of the Dog, and many other renowned artists who came together to honor his legacy. It was a night filled with emotional performances, memories, and tributes, highlighting the profound impact Chris had on the music world and his fans.

 

Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Finally, Chris's gravesite is at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. If you use Google Maps to search "Chris Cornell’s grave," it will lead you to it. Located next to Johnny Ramone’s grave, Chris is surrounded by a beautiful succulent garden. 
Once you there make sure to stop at Natasha Shnaider and Mark Lanegan graves as well.

This year marks seven years since Chris's passing. His music has touched many hearts worldwide, and fans continue to mourn his loss by visiting his grave and sharing memories. Chris’s music remains a daily companion for many, offering a wide range of emotions for any occasion.

I hope you visit Chris’s grave whenever you're in Los Angeles. If you do, please tag me—I’m always happy to connect with fellow Chris Cornell fans.