# In 1990, Chris Cornell had to say goodbye to his best friend. Within months, he created the best supergroup of the decade

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1990-chris-cornell-had-to-say-goodbye-to-his-best-friend-within-months-he-created-the-best-supergroup-of-the-decade/
- Published: 2026-11-11T22:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T22:24:39+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1990-chris-cornell-had-to-say-goodbye-to-his-best-friend/
- Topics: Music

## Key points

- Cornell formed Temple of the Dog after Andy Wood’s death.
- Two tribute songs became the starting point for the project.
- The band brought together musicians from Soundgarden and Pearl Jam.

## Summary

After the death of his close friend and former roommate, Mother Love Bone singer Andrew “Andy” Wood, Chris Cornell wrote two songs in tribute and formed Temple of the Dog. The project gave Cornell a way to process his grief while bringing musicians from Soundgarden and the emerging Pearl Jam together.

Wood died of a heroin overdose before Mother Love Bone’s debut album, *Apple*, was released. Cornell wrote “Say Hello 2 Heaven” and “Reach Down”; the band featured Soundgarden members alongside musicians who would become Pearl Jam, including Eddie Vedder and Mike McCready. Temple of the Dog gained wider recognition as the other bands later found success, particularly through “Hunger Strike”.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.