Yesterday morning, the world awoke to the devastating news that Chris Cornell, the singular vocal powerhouse behind era-defining Seattle grunge band Soundgarden as well as post-grunge supergroups Audioslave and Temple of the Dog had died at the age of 52. The singer was in the midst of a reunion tour with Soundgarden, and had finished a performance in Detroit just hours before his death, which medical examiners have ruled to be a suicide.
Warren Haynes Pens Tribute To Chris Cornell, Says He Almost Recorded On “Shout!”
Lat night, Umphrey’s McGee hit The NorVa in Norfolk, VA for their first of three shows this weekend. The top-notch performance featured numerous highlights, including an extended first set “Miami Virtue,” a cover of Jimi Hendrix and Band of Gypsys “Power of Soul,” an excellent “Booth Love” jam, a stellar second set-closing “2nd Self” > “All In Time,” and a raging “Hajimemashite” > “Glory” > “Hajimemashite” encore.
However, with Cornell’s death fresh in the minds of all in attendance–both onstage and in the audience–the shows most poignant moment came toward the beginning of the second set, when the band debuted a cover of Temple of the Dog’s 1991 hit “Hunger Strike” in the midst of a “Der Bluten Kat” jam. Delivered with sonic reverence to Cornell’s unique vocal tone, the tribute (sung by Brendan Bayliss and Kris Myers, as well as the entire crowd) offered a cathartic moment for everyone still reeling from the singer’s tragic passing.
You can watch fan-shot video of the “Hunger Strike” cover in honor of Chris Cornell below, courtesy of YouTube user Mike Caruana:
Thanks to taper opsopcopolis, you can listen to full audio of Umphrey’s McGee’s 5/18/17 performance in Norfolk, VA below:
Umphrey’s McGee continues their weekend with a performance in Baltimore tonight, 5/19. For a full list of upcoming Umphrey’s dates, or to purchase tickets, head to the band’s website.
SETLIST: Umphrey’s McGee | The NorVa | Norfolk, VA | 5/18/17
Set One: Bathing Digits > Rocker Part 2, Miami Virtue > North Route > Example 1, Power of Soul > Mulche’s Odyssey
Set Two: Der Bluten Kat > Hunger Strike [1] > Der Bluten Kat, Booth Love, Spires > We’re Going to War, 2nd Self > All In Time
Encore: Hajimemashite > Glory > Hajimemashite
[1] Debut, Temple of the Dog (In memory of Chris Cornell)
[h/t – JamBase]
[Cover photo via Phierce Photo by Keith Griner]