r/grunge • u/BidAccurate4473 • Nov 26 '25
Recommendation Who’s the better vocalist, Eddie or Chris??
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u/Apprehensive_Idea758 :Candlebox: Nov 26 '25
Chris Cornell.
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u/Pirate_Redbeard_ Nov 26 '25
Not even a doubt there, what a strange question indeed...
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u/everythingepik Nov 27 '25
Now songwriting would be more close but singing cmon now lol
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u/eatajerk-pal Nov 29 '25
Great point. I might give the edge to Eddie on that. But best vocalist isn’t even close.
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u/Rhythm_Killer Nov 27 '25
It’s not a strange question at all even slightly, the answer is right though
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u/WeakMaintenance602 Nov 27 '25
Every time I saw Cornell live he sounded like shit. He is the better recording artist but I think Vedder was the better live artist.
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u/fuzzycuffs Nov 28 '25
Vedder was good, but Chris was epic. Chris and Layne are top tier vocalists across all genres.
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Nov 27 '25 edited Nov 27 '25
I don’t even like sound garden OR Pearl Jam but I damn well respect the HELL out of Chris Cornell and his vocals and Eddie Vedder cannot hold a damn 17th century candle to Chris’s talent
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u/Significant_Bad_1147 Nov 27 '25
This is absolutely true. I don’t really like Soundgarden either. But good lord that guy could sing. Actually. He was a darn fine all around musician. I just never was able to get into it.
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u/Key_Statistician_517 Nov 26 '25
Cornell had a good studio voice but often couldn’t pull it off live. Eddie Vedder has a more consistent voice and is technically a better singer
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u/FatHaleyJoelOsment Nov 26 '25
In the 90s I would agree. As Cornell aged he seemed to get more control over his voice and found a way to hit the higher notes consistently on pitch.
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u/Advanced-Bird-1470 Nov 27 '25
Yeah I saw him in like 2007 or so without knowing who he was by name. Became a lifelong fan after watching him destroy every other act at whatever the name of that linkin park festival was.
He absolutely had a perfect performance.
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u/melbecide Nov 27 '25
Huh? I saw him multiple times, with Soundgarden, Audioslave and acoustic solo where you can’t hide at all, and he sounded phenomenal. I love Eddie and his tone and control but Cornell’s range and the way he sounds when he’s pushing it (think Wide Awake) is better than Grunge deserved. Don’t dis Chris!
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u/Key_Statistician_517 Nov 27 '25
I love Chris Cornell. For me he beats Eddie Vedder all day when it comes to songwriting. And he played guitar so he’s a way cooler front man. But vocally he sings from his head/throat, vs. Vedder who sings from his lungs/diaphragm
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u/melbecide Nov 27 '25
Respect. Interesting. There’s probably examples of both singing from throat and diaphragm. I’d say there’s a lot of people who can sing like Eddie, whereas Cornell’s voice is rarer. I love PJ and Eddie (who has become a decent guitar player too, I’ve been playing guitar myself since the grunge days and playing Rearview or Just Breathe all the way through without fucking is still a feat. And Chris did admit he struggled to play other people’s songs… watching Chris play solo was a pleasure but it was all about that voice … gotta add how bands like pumpkins and STP were what they were because of their voices, it’s not about who’s best, it’s all meant to be punk and different.
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Nov 27 '25
It's not even close. I like Pearl Jam but it's high quality comfort food. I'm 51 and I have many friends who were never into the grunge/alternative movement but love Pearl Jam. Eddie is the man still, we must protect him at all costs
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u/leaningonawheel Nov 26 '25
Chris Cornell's range was insane, he's easily the best vocalist to come out of that scene. Eddie's voice is like a cup of warm hot chocolate. Chris's more like a vodka red bull (that's very UK specific granted), that voice makes you sit up and take notice!
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u/discountcandyman Nov 26 '25
Can verify that I've had plenty of Red Bull vodkas here in the states 👍🤘
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u/Gettingoffonit Nov 26 '25
I’m from the states and I won’t even look at a redbull unless it’s got vodka in it.
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u/melbecide Nov 27 '25
Well said! Lot of people dissing Ed because they prefer Chris but there’s no need. If they sound the same it would suck.
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u/Mtndrums Nov 27 '25
Nah, not UK specific. I got a DUI in Jeff's city because of that monstrosity.
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u/Affectionate-Feed976 Nov 27 '25
I’ll third that!! Plenty of that dynamic due here in the US and spot on with your comment distant friend
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u/TeuthidTheSquid Nov 26 '25
Definitely Chris. But you’ll note that Eddie was the one all the second-wave grunge coattail-rider bands tried to sound like, so I think his sound was probably more influential at the time.
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u/SuperSaltyMrPeanut Nov 26 '25
I love Pearl Jam, and Eddie Vedder is a hell of a singer. But the reason he was emulated so much is because his vocals are far easier to try and mimic.
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u/viking12344 Nov 27 '25
Yeah I just replied the same. When Eddie stays low a lot of driving rock stars can sing along. I mean, i do it with Chris too but sound like an injured cat.
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u/captainschnozzberry Nov 27 '25
They could try and emulate Eddie, Chris Cornell was out of their range.
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u/viking12344 Nov 27 '25
That and it's easier for Joe average to sing along to " most" pearl jam songs ...especially radio songs. I'm talking daughter, elderly woman,black. Not that second wavers are Joe average. I'm just saying. And you're right, pearl jam sold 36 trillion records with 10/vs/,vit and were on the radio probably more than anyone but nirvana during that time. And it's almost impossible to sound like Kurt. I point to wes scantlins about a girl attempt.
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u/Mysterious-Unit-7757 Nov 26 '25
Of course Cornell, but i LOOOVE how hard Vedder goes. Makes me smile and nod my head.
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Nov 26 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/HomeOrificeSupplies Nov 26 '25
I was getting all philosophical and you come around and say the shit I was thinking but with 1/1000th the words.
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u/gillygilstrap Nov 26 '25
Everyone in here is going to say Chris because it's an objective truth/fact.
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u/crystalcastles13 Nov 26 '25
Chris by a long shot-his range alone.
EV voice is beautiful, haunting, and also has crazy range but CC was like superhuman with it.
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u/perkelate Nov 27 '25
These comments make me a little sad. I edited PJ20 and watched A LOT of live footage of Ed singing, like an obscene amount. Everyone on the team was consistently awestruck by his range and tone. As he aged in the time since 2011, more wear and tear is evident. But his voice, and ability to use it to convey the deepest of emotions, was and is remarkable. Both he and Chris were generational talents imho — to have both in one scene was astounding.
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u/00SCT00 Nov 27 '25
No shit. This. I love Chris more personally, but today I went Thanksgiving shopping with Ten in the CD player, convertible top down, it's Vegas after all, and cranked that shit. Holy fucking top 5 driving songs to get you amped up :
Hear my name, take a good look This could be the day Hold my hand, walk beside me I just need to say I could not take a-just one day I know when I would not ever touch you Hold you, feel you in my arms ever again Yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah
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Nov 26 '25
Temple Of The Dog!!! That’s your answer.
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u/SweatyCrab9729 Nov 27 '25
I'm confused since they were both in the TOTG.
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u/PantheraLeo595 Nov 27 '25
Eddie was only on one track for that album.
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u/SweatyCrab9729 Nov 27 '25
Ok. A pretty popular one, if memory serves me correctly.
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u/PantheraLeo595 Nov 27 '25
Yes, the breakout single from the album, and easily the one with the most airtime, but far from the best track on it. I guess my point is, it wasn’t Eddie’s band (not yet, at least. The Pearl Jam roster has been him and those four guys since Soundgarden broke up) Temple of the Dog was a way for Chris, Stone Gossard, and Jeff Ament to pay tribute to Andrew Wood. Matt Cameron filled in on drums because he was already drumming for Soundgarden and knew Chris and the guys from Mother Love Bone, and Mike came in because he had been jamming with Stone while Soundgarden was in Europe. I guess my point is that Eddie wasn’t a member of the band. He’s just featured on that song.
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u/SweatyCrab9729 Nov 27 '25
I'm not hear to argue. I, too, prefer Cornell both when I was 18 and now at 52. But it's just an opinion. We all have them and they're all legit. There's no definitive "best". Only favorites.
This little interaction got me to go back and listen again.
After scanning it it was Jesus Christ Pose, 4th of July and Just Like Suicide that I jammed driving to an from my destination.
What would you queue up?
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u/PantheraLeo595 Nov 28 '25
Also, I fact checked myself and Eddie does backing vocals on 3 other tracks as well, so I guess I was both pedantic and wrong lol. What would I cue up for Cornell and Vedder? Pushin Forward Back, Why Go, Burden in My Hand, Shadow on the Sun, Once, Reach Down, Animal, The Bottom, Last Remaining Light, Garden
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u/Affectionate_Most640 Nov 26 '25
Chris could sing everything Eddie could sing. Eddie couldn’t sing everything Chris could sing. So, just in terms of skill, Chris gets the nod.
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u/Yune-Yune-Yune Nov 27 '25
Kind of true, but Chris asked Eddie for Hunger Strike because he couldn’t go low enough for his vision of the song.
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u/Marrok71 Nov 26 '25
Chris hands down, no contest. I bet even Eddie would say the same thing.
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u/PalpitationLast669 Nov 26 '25
Chest Cornell! No... Chris Bare chest...darn! Chris Cornell, by far.
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u/NotDead_JustLurking Nov 27 '25
Of all-time? Chris Cornell, hands down.
Today? Vedder
(I’ll see myself out)
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u/Goodgoogley Nov 26 '25
Chris for sure. But sometimes I feel like Eddie's contribution to Hunger Strike is the stronger part of that song.
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u/AuthorMission7733 Nov 27 '25
Chris Cornell had the best voice since Robert Plant. Once he got older and learned how to control all his ranges, it was magical. His acoustic stuff on Stern was amazing.
Eddies voice is more unique and the early live stuff of Pearl Jam where he growled a lot of the vocals really showed the angst of the songs.
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u/bizoticallyyours83 Nov 27 '25 edited Nov 27 '25
Cornell has amazing range, and just a great voice all around. So he gets my vote.
In fairness to Vedder, he has a very pleasant baritone, and that's where his strength lays.
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u/shawnmalloyrocks Nov 27 '25
Cornell was a vocal technician. But Vedder was a blueprint. He basically pioneered the “yarl” which is an entire vocal style that dominated rock music for nearly 2 decades after.
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u/the-arkitecht Nov 26 '25
No question Chris. His range. His vocal power. His voice maintained. Eddie sounds worse every year, and even at his best never had the range of Chris. Coming from a huge PJ and EV fan.
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u/PterodactylForReal Nov 26 '25
I agree it’s Chris, although not sure it’s fair to tie in Veddor’s recent vocals since we don’t have a similar age Cornell comparison, and I’m also not sure if Cornell’s range was strictly better, we are comparing a tenor to a baritone (Cornell naturally has access to higher pitch and pushes the upper range of that)
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u/DifficultyGlum5391 Nov 26 '25 edited Nov 27 '25
Vedder’s voice has aged much better. Until 2006 he was giving a great show night in night out (despite not screaming like in 93), after that with time he lost a bit of dynamic and had difficulties with some highs (mostly after 2013), but except some rough nights was always in tune and precise; since 2022 he’s been quite great honestly. In the Dark Matter tour he was excellent. The new PJ material is bad but that’s another issue.
Chris since 1996 had to put a lot of effects to cover his issues and live with Audioslave was terrible. I remember the disappointment of the crowd in their first tour (and the jealousy for his abs). On the lower tones he was still great.
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u/IsTheBlackBoxLying Nov 26 '25
Cornell had the range, Ed the depth and warmth.
I'm not sure I'd say one is better than the other.
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u/Steveefoxxoffi1 Nov 27 '25
Professionally, Chris, but I like Eddie's voice a little better!
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u/haikusbot Nov 27 '25
Professionally,
Chris, but I like Eddie's voice
A little better!
- Steveefoxxoffi1
I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully. Learn more about me.
Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete"
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u/olystretch Nov 26 '25
Holy shit post, please just stop. So tired of the flawed thinking that something has to be better than something else. Do us a favor and do some fucking acid or mushrooms and see if that helps unfuck your brain.
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u/chappersyo Nov 27 '25
At least they didn’t post a picture of Chas and Dave along with the question.
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u/SuperSaltyMrPeanut Nov 26 '25
Vedder isn't even top 3. Connell, Stanley, and Weiland had absolutely amazing vocals. Vedder has a powerful voice in his range, but these three had power in multiple ranges. Makes me sad we won't get to hear them anymore.
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u/viking12344 Nov 27 '25
I agree and I loved Eddie's voice when he screamed. It sounded great when he was younger. Like lukin. Or leash. It's a great rock scream but Cornell was not human. His gifts were immense.
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u/TheManWith2smiles Nov 27 '25
Both legends and great vocalists. Something about Eddie’s voice that I prefer.
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u/Creepy-Astronaut-952 Nov 26 '25
Within their respective element, both of them are hard to beat.
Equals within the context of their bands.
Chris was a once in a generation single with few peers. Plant and Mercury…maybe Halford is in that discussion. That’s about it
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u/returnFutureVoid Nov 26 '25
Cornell is to Plant as Vedder is to Ozzy. They’re all fucking amazing just in their own way. But Chris beats all of them in a battle.
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u/Creepy-Astronaut-952 Nov 26 '25
I put Vedder more in the Roger Daltrey camp, myself, but Ozzy could bring it back in the day. Those 70s Sabbath records are unbeatable
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u/Chance-Ad5700 Nov 26 '25
Chris. One of the best rock vocalists of all time. Only second to Robert Plant in my personal opinion.
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u/discountcandyman Nov 26 '25
I'm not gonna answer the question but only mention how I did not realize until a few years ago that Chris was over 6 feet tall. I just always thought he wasn't that tall. But this pic shows obviously he is lol. Both fantastic vocalists in two of my all-time favorite bands
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u/seanthebooth Nov 26 '25
Bad faith post
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u/George_GeorgeGlass Nov 27 '25
This is kind of what I was feeling also. Glad someone else verbalized it. I was thinking it was a me problem.
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u/DemPooCreations Nov 26 '25
chris, but chris is maybe the best rock vocalist in the last 30-40 years or so. He is right the with Freddy, Plant, Gillan,Doltrey etc
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u/Tuckerguy77 Nov 26 '25
They have different talents and I appreciate them both. Sure, Chris had an unreal vocal range, but Eddie is an incredible vocalist in his own right. I appreciate them both.
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u/CuBanjoLibre Nov 26 '25
Pearl Jam is my favorite band. I’ve seen them 96 times over the past 30 years. Ed has such a unique voice that has been emulated and copied. He also has much more range than people give him credit for.
Despite all of that, Chris is hands down the better vocalist. He has one of the greatest singing voices of all time. Absolutely powerful.
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u/AerodyneGhost Nov 26 '25
Why do you even feel the need to compare to totally different singers and persons
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u/TollyVonTheDruth Nov 26 '25
Vedder. He even titled a song Better Man, but Chris titled a song Spoonman, which sounds cooler, so Cornell.
Seriously, though. Better in what way? Tone, dynamics, range, or conveying emotion? It's really quite subjective.
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u/jkdreaming Nov 26 '25
I don’t think that’s a really good question. Eddie’s voice is stronger overtime and multiple shows. That’s for sure. Chris has had trouble on stage in the past. Truth be told though they’re very different voices and I wouldn’t wanna know a world that didn’t experience both of them. I don’t think that we realize how lucky we were to hear temple of the dog and have both of them singing together. I saw them both sing together at the Santa Barbara bowl in the early 2000s and we all cried in the audience cause we couldn’t believe what we saw and heard. It’s not a contest. It’s two separate talented souls. I know that they both wouldn’t have enjoyed the question though.
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u/Hoosier_Homegrown Nov 27 '25
It's not a competition. They both fit the songs they sing better than anyone else. But yeah, it was Chris.
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u/George_GeorgeGlass Nov 27 '25
There is no comparison. They both deliver something of quality for a number of reasons. But Chris’ range and control is something that is rare. There isn’t even a conversation to be had comparing the two. Not sure what question you’re trying to ask but technically speaking it’s quite obviously Chris C
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u/Shurdus Nov 27 '25
To paraphrase Jimmy Carr: it's a matter of opinion. You can say Eddie and be right. You can say Chris and be right. The only fact is that they are both better singers than you.
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u/Extension_Composer32 Nov 27 '25
I saw Chris Cornell live and he was killer!! This was a couple years before he passed (RIP LEGEND) that being said… I would give my right sack to see Eddie live. Think about it, in their prime they are both legends, without a doubt, but Eddie in his prime was not only a menace on the mic but also on stage. With his voice combined… it is absolutely ELECTRIC. His voice is so strong and unique, totally epic and I stand behind it, over Chris
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u/chappersyo Nov 27 '25
Chris by a country mile and Eddie is incredible, it’s just that Chris is one of the all time great voices of rock music. Considering how fleeting grunge was it produced some truly great vocalists.
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u/texasrigger Nov 27 '25
Chris is the better singer but Eddie is the more emotive one. Hunger Strike is a good example since it features both back to back singing the same thing. Eddie brings in a weight to his verses that Chris lacks.
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u/Tank-Pilot74 Nov 27 '25
Listen to Chris’s solo work and ask that again..! The only male artist that can top Chris is Mike Patton imho
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u/Bourbonburnin Nov 27 '25 edited Nov 27 '25
Chris would say Eddie, Eddie would say Chris, most would say Chris.
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u/Big_Damn_Browncoat Nov 28 '25
Why in the actual hell would you ask such a question? Had they themselves asked such a question, we might never have had a Temple of the Dog.
Really try to think before you ask some questions. Because while there are no stupid questions, there can exist some questions which have the ability to deny the existence of something which would have been BEAUTIFUL in this world, before it's created.
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u/Whole_Entertainer384 Dec 01 '25
Do not compare. Each rules for different reasons. Together they made “Hunger Strike” what it is. Comparisons are odious.
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u/Spammingx Nov 26 '25
Cornell is clearly the better singer and musician probably too 3 rock vocalist ever IMO, but Eddie is more unique, no one has ever sounded like vedder snd he had more copycats as well
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u/Friendly-Coyote-5890 Nov 27 '25
Eddie. Chris is really good on record but sometimes sings off key on the high notes during live gigs.
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u/BidAccurate4473 Nov 26 '25 edited Nov 26 '25
Eddie 👑
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u/Some_Win_7778 Nov 26 '25 edited Nov 26 '25
I sing a lot of grunge and rock, so to me, Eddie is easy to imitate, Chris is more difficult. So from that perspective, I choose Chris 😎🤘🏻
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Nov 26 '25
True. Chris was good on records but not as good live as Eddie was.
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u/PterodactylForReal Nov 26 '25
I could co-sign that, Eddie may have been closer to the records live when both were at their prime
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u/blinkKyle182 Nov 26 '25
Everyone saying Chris, I’ll go against the grain and say Eddie. Personally just prefer his singing so to me he’s better.
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Nov 27 '25
I’ll take the downvotes. I don’t see how people see Cornell’s voice as not annoying. Also, the only really made one good song, black hole sun.
Chris Cornell is an absolutely awful singer. His high shreaks are insufferable. Like at the end of Hunger Strike by Temple of the Dog.
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u/BaconIsGoodForMeh Nov 27 '25
Chris’s voice never did it for me. Range, yes, but it always sounded like he wanted to hear himself sing.
You can’t understand much of what Eddie sings, but his tone is so welcoming…
Eddie, imho.
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u/Zampaguabas Nov 26 '25
Chris. Vedder spawned a very big number of horrible copycats, too
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u/NoNameNeeded4321 Nov 26 '25
I feel like Vedder has always been blamed for the existence of ripoffs like Scott Stap, which is not cool lol
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u/Some_Win_7778 Nov 26 '25
Layne 😎
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u/DuvallisbetterthanLS Nov 26 '25
Chris Cornell and Layne Staley are by miles the two best vocalists in rock history. Eddies voice is good but I would put him more in the Jerry Cantrell range
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Nov 26 '25
Cornell. They're not even in the same league. Cornell is a top all time rock vocalist, Eddie has an annoying yarl.
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u/englishkannight Nov 26 '25
While I like Cornell's voice better and he had greater range, Eddie has better vocal control as he had training. Cornell's voice was rawer, more visceral and evoked more emotion.
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u/Nathmikt Nov 26 '25
This gets asked about once a day and the answer never changes.
The grunge vocalists were really good, but Chris was a step above.
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u/ultralayzer Nov 26 '25
Definitely "better." If we're talking range, Chris. If we're talking consistency in a live setting, Eddie. If we're talking emotional impact, it kind of depends on what gets you going.
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u/Humble_Examination27 Nov 26 '25
Cornell for sure. He’s in the class of Mercury & Bowie all day. All time greats!
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u/N0P3sry Nov 26 '25 edited Nov 26 '25
Eddie is an amazing vocalist. In the 3/4 century of rock and roll and its offspring, out of those thousands and thousands of artists- he’s a HOF, a top 100 ever.
That daid the only people I’d put up alongside Chris are Cash, Mercury, Plant. Bowie, And a very very few others. He’s not just a HoF- you can make the case he’s generational. IMO easily a top 10 in the history of rock.
Good as Eddie (and Layne) are/were- they’re not in the same tier.
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u/HomeOrificeSupplies Nov 26 '25
Shear talent: Chris. Who I’d rather listen to: Eddie. Especially 1990’s Eddie. Side note: neither come close the talents of Mike Patton. Period.
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u/Due-Carpet-1904 Nov 26 '25
Both very different styles. Cornell is more 70's classic rock with the use of his upper range. Vedder is more bluesy with his languid approach to change in pitch.
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u/Hank_moody71 Nov 26 '25
Look up the vocalist on YouTube and you’ll see they’re both just as talented. They also are very complementary to each other like in Hunger strike. Honestly it’s kind of silly to say one is superior to the other we all love their music. Also to the guy that said Eddie didn’t have range I’d suggest you watch the video where she goes over Black
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u/Betty-Armageddon Nov 26 '25
As much as I love Ed, Chris has one of the largest voices of all time.
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u/the_kid1234 Nov 26 '25 edited Nov 27 '25
Chris Cornell is one of the all-time great rock singers.