Soundgarden singer and grunge pioneer Chris Cornell has died, aged 52

In a statement to the Associated Press, Cornell’s manager Brian Bumbery said the singer died on Wednesday night in Detroit, Michigan, and that the news came to a shock to family and friends.

Although the cause of death has not been officially reported, stories suggest Cornell committed suicide.

Cornell and Soundgarden were pivotal in the grunge movement of the early 1990s, topping the charts with angst-ridden songs, in the company of the likes of Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, Hole and Pearl Jam.

Soundgarden had formed in 1984 and enjoyed success with several albums including Superunknown and Down On The Upside, and singles that included Black Hole Sun, Pretty Noose and Blow Up The Outside World.  Antonino Tati