Chris Cornell: Previously unheard cover of Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Patience’ released on singer’s 56th birthday

Musician died in 2017 aged 52

Chris Cornell performs during the 2014 Lollapalooza Brazil festival on 6 April 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

A previously unheard cover of Guns N Roses’ “Patience” by Chris Cornell has been released to mark what would have been his 56th birthday.

The musician’s widow Vicky Cornell shared a link to the recording on his Facebook page on Monday.

Cornell died by suicide on 18 May 2017, at the age of 52. His death prompted widespread tributes as well as renewed conversations about mental health awareness.

Vicky Cornell wrote on Facebook that the cover of “Patience” was recorded in 2016 and was “inspired by our daughter Toni, who was a huge [Guns N’ Roses] fan and asked her dad to teach her to play it on the guitar”.

“His cover is so hauntingly beautiful; it brought it all back in a rush of bittersweet memories,” she added, also noting: ”His birthday seemed the perfect time to share this and celebrate Chris, his voice, music, stories and art.

“A man is not dead while his name is still spoken... and, through his art, an artist’s soul still burns as bright upon all those that look up to him and his memory.”

The song is available to stream online.

Cornell would have turned 56 this 20 July 2020.

His daughter Lily Cornell Silver announced on Monday she was launching an Instagram TV show called Mind Wide Open, which will be dedicated to discussing mental health.

“Today, in honour of my dad’s birthday, here is the first episode of Mind Wide Open,” she wrote. “I created this interview series with the goal of helping to normalize and destigmatise conversations around mental health, and if it can make even one person feel seen and heard I will have accomplished my goal.”

The first episode is available to watch on her Instagram account.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

For services local to you, the national mental health database – Hub of Hope – allows you to enter your postcode to search for organisations and charities who offer mental health advice and support in your area.

In the US, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 800 273 8255 or chat online for help.