The final music video recorded by the late Chris Cornell has been released, and it’s a tear-jerker.
The video is for the Soundgarden and Temple Of The Dog frontman’s final song, ‘The Promise’, and was filmed in New York shortly before his death in a Detroit hotel at the age of 52.
Prior to his death, Cornell ordered that the video for ‘The Promise’ would be released on World Refugee Day, and all proceeds from the song would be donated to support refugees and children around the world.
At the time of the song’s release, Cornell said, “‘The Promise’ to me is mainly about paying homage to those we lost in the Armenian Genocide, but it’s also about shining a light on more recent atrocities.
“The same methods used in the Armenian genocide were used to carry out crimes against humanity in Bosnia, Darfur, Rwanda and right now in Syria on multiple fronts, contributing to a massive global refugee crisis.
“Unfortunately, the words ‘never again’ seem like just words when we recall these mass executions of the twentieth century, as well as renewed racism and prejudice around the world. Even in the US, the warning signs – isolating groups based on race and religion – are evident.
“We really need to tell these stories and keep telling them in as many different ways as we can. As humans, we have a tremendous capacity to trudge ahead in our lives and not look at the difficult and challenging moments… but I think it’s important.
“Educating ourselves on the past is the best way to understand the present and avoid future atrocities by understanding and intervening. We must educate and stand as one to combat this fear and violence, and as citizens of the world, work to protect each other’s human rights.”
Directed by Meiert Avis & Stefan Smith, the video for ‘The Promise’ features footage donated by UNESCO, Human Rights Watch, Refugee Rescue and Médecins Sans Frontières. Watch it in full, below.
Cornell’s music video for ‘Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart’ (which was his last before today’s release of ‘The Promise’) was removed from YouTube earlier this month. It featured imagery of Cornell in a noose, which became more sensitive after his death was ruled a suicide by hanging.
Yesterday, Cornell’s daughters Toni and Lillian shared heartbreaking open letters to their late father — the first time they’ve spoken publicly since his death.
