Chris Cornell’s widow recently sued his husband’s former band, Soundgarden, claiming that the band is withholding thousands in royalties owed to the family of the late frontman. According to TMZ, the disagreement was due to the seven unreleased songs.
The legal documents outline an “unlawful attempt to strong-arm Chris’ Estate into turning over certain audio recordings created by Chris before he passed away.” According to Vicky Cornell, the songs appear to be her late husband’s final works, were “solely authored by Chris; contain Chris’ own vocal tracks; and were bequeathed to Chris’ Estate” supposedly benefiting his family.
TMZ reports that Vicky Cornell offered Soundgarden to release the seven unreleased tracks, but added certain demains put in place by Chris — and which producer to work with. But the band refused, according to her.
The band countered the lawsuit by sending Vicky a letter, saying they were “working on the files in a collaborative effort.” Before Chris’s sudden passing, “working on the files in a collaborative effort.” Written in the letter, members of Soundgarden were co-writers with Chris on five of the seven unreleased songs, TMZ reported.
Vicky Cornell also claims that Kim Thayil falsely accused her that she kept Soundgarden from releasing a new album, TM reports. She reportedly accuses the Thayil of misleading the band’s “loyal, rabid fan base” on purpose.
The lawsuit was filed by her attorneys Marty Singer and James Sammataro.