Chris Cornell dead at 52 – Soundgarden legend spoke openly about his struggles with drugs which he started using daily aged just 13
THE tragic death of grunge legend Chris Cornell at 52 comes after a life spent battling with drug and alcohol problems.
Spells of heavy addiction plagued the legendary Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman's career.
It once resulted in a two-month stay in rehab before his first studio album with Audioslave was released in 2002.
In a 2009 interview with he told of being a "pioneer" of the prescription opiate OxyContin during his lowest days.
And in a revealing talk with he admitted becoming a "daily drug user" at the age of just 13.
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But his addictions were largely defeated by the time he settled down with second wife Vicky Karayiannis in 2005, with whom he has two children. He has one daughter with first wife Susan Silver.
Two years after his second marriage he told how he finally kicked his habits for good.
Speaking to Rock N Roll Experience in 2007, Cornell said: "It was a long period of coming to the realisation that [being sober] is better.
"Going through rehab, honestly, did help... it got me away from just the daily drudgery of depression and either trying to not drink or do drugs or doing them.
"They give you such a simple message that any idiot can get and it's just over and over.
"But the bottom line is really, and this is the part that is scary for everyone, the individual kinda has to want it.
"Not kinda, you have to want it and to not do that crap anymore or you will never stop and it will just kill you."
Tributes have been flooding the internet since Cornell's death in Detroit was announced this morning.
Celebrities and fans told of their shock at the rocker’s passing — which police are treating as a suspected suicide.
A spokesperson for Detroit Police told the that they received a call just after midnight (05:00 BST).
"He was found on the bathroom floor, our medical unit were called and he was pronounced dead on scene.
"A family friend went to go check on him and observed him on the bathroom floor.
"The body was transferred to the medical examiner's office and the cause of death will be determined."
Hailing the Black Hole Sun singer as a "true rock God", hundreds took to social media to tell of their devastation.
Leading them was Led Zeppelin legend Jimmy Page, who said: "RIP Chris Cornell - Incredibly Talented - Incredibly Young - Incredibly Missed."
Elton John said he was "shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Chris Cornell", describing him as "a great singer, songwriter and the loveliest man".
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