In 1978, Casablanca Records pulled a bold marketing stunt by releasing solo albums from each of the four members of Kiss simultaneously.
While the gimmick was unique, the music itself didn’t capture much attention. Fast forward to 1985, and Mick Jagger stepped out of The Rolling Stones’ shadow with his solo album She’s the Boss, sparking a fair share of controversy.
In a similar vein, Chris Cornell—former frontman of Soundgarden—released his debut solo album Euphoria Morning in 1999 under Interscope Records.
It’s not uncommon for band members to break out on their own, seeking solo careers for various reasons.
Some feel creatively stifled by their group, others crave individual recognition, and in certain cases, external forces push them into going solo. For Chris Cornell, the latter was true.
During the late ’80s and early ’90s, Soundgarden rose from obscurity to become one of the biggest names in the punk-rock scene.
Their success boosted Sub Pop, the record label that had first taken a chance on them.
In fact, the band’s rise played a role in the signing of Nirvana to the same label. Soundgarden became the first grunge rock act to sign with a major label, A&M, marking a new chapter in their career.
However, not all fans were pleased with the move to a major label, accusing the band of selling out. The transition also seemed to strain the group internally, with Chris Cornell gradually taking on more songwriting duties.
By the late ’90s, tensions within the band reached a breaking point. During the final night of their 1997 world tour, bassist Ben Shepherd walked off stage mid-performance, and the rest of the band followed suit.
Cornell, left alone on stage, finished the show with a solo performance—a telling sign of what was to come.
Shortly afterward, Soundgarden disbanded, leaving Cornell to face the music world on his own.
Unlike other musicians who left their bands in search of more fame or money, Cornell had no choice but to go solo.
Two years later, his debut solo album Euphoria Morning was released to generally positive reviews. While critics and fans appreciated the album, Cornell himself was less enthusiastic in hindsight.
“It was something I just wanted to do and move on,” he told Spin in 2006. “I think it just was not the time for me to have a big solo record. I was in such a bad way, personally and professionally.”
Despite Cornell’s personal struggles, Euphoria Morning performed steadily, receiving decent reviews and even earning him a Grammy nomination for ‘Best Male Rock Vocal Performance’ for the lead single, ‘Can’t Change Me’.
The album also revealed a broader range to Cornell’s talents than he had been able to show with Soundgarden.
While the influences of his former band could still be felt, Euphoria Morning took on older musical inspirations—early rock and roll, blues-rock, psychedelic elements, and singer-songwriter vibes.
The variety of styles gave Cornell the freedom to showcase his full vocal range.
Reflecting on the album years later, Cornell admitted he wasn’t ready for the solo spotlight at the time but acknowledged it may have been a blessing in disguise.
He continued working on new music, which would eventually form his 2007 album Carry On, though it wasn’t as successful as Euphoria Morning.
Perhaps being thrust into a solo career without feeling fully prepared was exactly what Cornell needed.
It forced him to push his creative limits and deliver an album that, even years later, stands out as a unique and significant part of his career.
