Chris Cornell’s Widow Vicky Sues Soundgarden Over Missing Royalties
Vicky Cornell, the widow of Chris Cornell, is suing her husband’s former Soundgarden bandmates over missing royalty payments, TMZ reports and Pitchfork can confirm. According to the complaint, filed today (December 9) in a Florida federal court and viewed by Pitchfork, the suit concerns the rights to seven unreleased songs, as well as “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in royalty payments “indisputably owed” to Cornell’s widow and children.
In the document, Vicky Cornell and her attorneys claim that the lack of royalty payments is an attempt from Cornell’s bandmates to “strong-arm Chris’ Estate into turning over certain audio recordings created by Chris before he passed away.”
The complaint argues that the unreleased recordings were “solely authored by Chris; contain Chris’ own vocal tracks; and were bequeathed to Chris’ Estate.” Cornell’s former bandmates, however, claim they had been “working on the files in a collaborative effort.”
In order to gain control of the recordings, according to the complaint, the band has “resorted to pressure tactics, harassment, unlawful conversion of royalties, and extortion,” as well as “callously [agitating] the [b]and’s rabid fan base” by suggesting that Vicky Cornell is blocking the release of new music. In addition, the complaint states that stalkers have “threatened the safety” of Cornell’s family, requiring FBI intercession.
In a statement posted to Instagram, Vicky Cornell writes, “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.” She continues, “I will do justice by my husband’s work and memory; for our children and for everything we stood for.” Pitchfork has reached out to representatives for Soundgarden for additional comment.
Originally Appeared on Pitchfork
