Chris Cornell’s widow ‘sues band over royalties and unreleased songs’

Chris Cornell’s widow is suing his former band Soundgarden over claims of unpaid royalties, according to reports.

Vicky Cornell has filed a complaint in a Florida federal court which alleges that the rights of several unreleased songs have been breached, TMZ said.

The complaint says that “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in royalty payments are “indisputably owed” to Cornell’s widow and children.

Court documents claim that Cornell’s former bandmates are attempting to “strong-arm Chris’ estate into turning over certain audio recordings created by Chris before he passed away”, according to reports.

It is also claimed that Soundgarden “resorted to pressure tactics, harassment, unlawful conversion of royalties and extortion” by suggesting that Vicky is blocking the release of new music.

Cornell, 52, was found dead in a Detroit hotel room in May 2017 after he took his own life.

In a statement on Instagram on Monday, his widow Vicky said she would “not be pushed aside for someone else’s convenience or gain”.

“I will not sacrifice our children’s futures for someone else’s greed,” she wrote.

I have been taking time these past few weeks to be grateful for all the good people around me and for those who have lifted me up at the very worst times in my life. The silver lining, during the storm, is finding and appreciating the subtle glow of those who sincerely support you in your life unconditionally. However, sometimes while you grieve the one you physically lost, you realize that you must now grieve the loss of some of those you considered friends and family as well. I am shocked at how often this occurs. It’s not just me, or the rock-star widow, or the political widow; it is the case for the vast majority of women after their partners have passed. It transcends socio-economic class, race, and religion. It is an unpleasant and unfortunately all too common theme. Hard-hearted family members, friends, and business associates; who will exploit a widow’s vulnerability when she’s broken and alone. These other people who have decided that her time is up as well. Through support groups and other widowed friends, and during both difficult and supportive conversations, I have learned that I am not a unique case. This seems to be the inevitable plight of the widow in this world and I cannot help feeling angry, sad and betrayed. I will not be bullied or shamed into silence. I will not accept something so wrong, so lacking in compassion or decency, even with the clear but unspoken threat of social rejection hanging over me. This was not the way I would have chosen to move forward. But I will not be pushed aside for someone else’s convenience or gain. I will not sacrifice our children’s futures for someone else’s greed. And I will not let someone else make me feel shame because the man I loved was taken from all of us too soon. I will do justice by my husband’s work and memory; for our children and for everything we stood for. I want to thank everyone who has stood by Chris and has supported us through this devastating time. Your love and your kindness will never be forgotten. #chriscornell forever 🖤

A post shared by Vicky Cornell (@vickycornell) on Dec 9, 2019 at 6:01am PST

“And I will not let someone else make me feel shame because the man I loved was taken from all of us too soon.

“I will do justice by my husband’s work and memory; for our children and for everything we stood for.

“I want to thank everyone who has stood by Chris and has supported us through this devastating time.

“Your love and your kindness will never be forgotten.”

The remaining members of Soundgarden are yet to comment.