Learn all about the personality type of Chris Cornell, including personality traits and frequently asked questions.
Quick Navigation
Who is Chris Cornell?
Chris Cornell was a highly influential musician and songwriter who rose to fame in the 1990s as the frontman of the bands Soundgarden and Audioslave.
Born in Seattle in 1964, Cornell had a passion for music from a young age and began playing guitar as a teenager.
He formed Soundgarden in the mid-1980s, and the band quickly gained a reputation for their heavy, grunge-inspired sound and Cornell’s powerful vocals.
With hits such as “Black Hole Sun” and “Spoonman,” Soundgarden became one of the most successful bands of the ’90s alternative rock scene.
Cornell later formed Audioslave with members of the band Rage Against the Machine and continued to release critically acclaimed solo albums throughout his career.
In addition to his musical accomplishments, Cornell was also known for his philanthropy and activism, particularly in the areas of homelessness and addiction.
He passed away in 2017 at the age of 52, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most talented and influential musicians of his generation.
Chris Cornell Personality Type
What personality type is Chris Cornell?
Cornell was described as an INTJ personality type on the Myers-Briggs system, which stands for Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Judging.
INTJs are known for their analytical minds, strategic thinking, and independence.
Cornell’s creative talent and ability to develop complex musical compositions suggest that he was highly analytical and intuitive.
Some analysts have suggested that Cornell may have been an Enneagram Type 4 with a Five wing.
Type 4s are known for their deep emotional sensitivity, individualism, and creativity.
They can also be highly introspective and may struggle with feelings of inadequacy or self-doubt.
The Five wing may have added a desire for knowledge and a tendency to withdraw into oneself for reflection and analysis.
5 Chris Cornell Personality Traits
So, what are some of the personality traits of Chris Cornell?
- Creative
- Intense
- Compassionate
- Independent
- Thoughtful
Let’s take a look at these personality traits in more detail:
1. Creative
Cornell was highly creative and had a talent for developing complex and emotionally resonant musical compositions. He was also known for his poetic and introspective lyrics.
2. Intense
As a musician, Cornell was known for his intense and powerful vocal performances. He was deeply passionate about his music and often poured his emotions into his work.
3. Compassionate
Cornell was a compassionate and empathetic person who was dedicated to using his platform to raise awareness about important social issues, such as homelessness and addiction.
4. Independent
Cornell was fiercely independent and often resisted labels or categorization. He was known for his willingness to take risks and explore new musical directions.
5. Thoughtful
Cornell was a thoughtful and introspective person who was known for his deep introspection and analysis. He often reflected on the deeper meanings behind his work and was highly attuned to his own emotions and experiences.
Chris Cornell FAQs
Who was Chris Cornell influenced by?
His early musical influences were Bauhaus, XTC, Paul McCartney, and Siouxsie and the Banshees, and they gave his songs an artistic yet gothic quality.
His songs always had a catchy melody, which allowed Soundgarden and Cornell to work in both the mainstream and the alternative subcultures.
What was Chris Cornell’s childhood like?
When Chris was in his early teens, his parents got divorced, and he and his siblings changed their last names from Boyle to his mother’s maiden name.
When his mother intervened, Chris had already begun to defy his Catholic upbringing and was on the point of being expelled from the religious school he attended.
What did Cornell do before music?
Chris Cornell’s primary focus before pursuing music was on writing poetry.
He began writing poetry at a young age and continued to do so throughout his life, often incorporating his poems into his song lyrics.
Cornell also briefly attended a community college in Seattle but dropped out after just one semester to focus on his music career.
In the early 1980s, he formed the band Soundgarden, which quickly gained a following in Seattle’s underground music scene and went on to become one of the most successful bands of the 1990s.
Cornell’s passion for writing and poetry continued throughout his career, and he was known for his introspective and often deeply emotional lyrics.
What ethnicity was Chris Cornell?
Chris Cornell’s ancestry was a mix of Scottish, Irish, English, and Native American (Cherokee) descent.
His mother was Irish and his father was of Scottish and Native American heritage.
How long was Chris Cornell sober?
In 2002, Chris Cornell entered treatment as a result of his drug and alcohol misuse after the other members of Audioslave voiced their worries.
He avoided using any mood-altering drugs for a very long time after that treatment, maintaining his sobriety for more than five years.
How did Cornell die?
Chris Cornell died by suicide on May 18, 2017, in his hotel room in Detroit, Michigan.
The official cause of death was ruled as hanging by suicide.
His death was a shock to the music world and his fans, and it sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from fellow musicians and admirers.
Cornell had struggled with depression and substance abuse throughout his life, and his death brought attention to the importance of mental health awareness and suicide prevention.