Total F*cking Godhead

The Biography of Chris Cornell

By: Corbin Reiff

Narrated by: Michael Butler Murray

Length: 12 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

The first comprehensive biography of iconic singer-songwriter Chris Cornell.

Total F*cking Godhead is the complete story of the complex and enigmatic artist, Chris Cornell. It's the riveting account of a blue collar, high-school dropout emerging from Seattle, Washington, to become one of the greatest singer-songwriters and voices of his generation. With input from people who knew and worked with him - together with Cornell's own words - the book recounts in great detail the rise of his immortal band Soundgarden as they emerged from the 1980s post-punk underground to dominate popular culture in the '90s alongside other Seattle bands like Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, and Nirvana.

Long-time Seattle resident and rock writer Corbin Reiff examines Cornell's dynamic solo career as well as his time in Audioslave. He delves into his hard-fought battle with addiction, as well as the supercharged reunion with the band that made him famous before everything ended tragically.

This is the story of an artist who channeled his own inner turmoil into songs that touched the hearts of millions around the world and turned Chris Cornell into one of music's greatest icons.

©2020 Corbin Reiff (P)2020 Tantor

Very interesting and also moving

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! It gave great information on Chris’ life and career and introduced me to a lot of great material that I hadn’t listened to yet. Is well written and gets very emotional towards the end. Seems like the author did his homework. The narrated did a good job as well. He spoke in a way that conveyed emotion (not just monotone) so that it kind of felt like he was the one whose story it was. Loved the accents too. Gave me a bit of a chuckle. Anyway awesome story definitely give it a listen if you are into sound garden (and if you’re not, still listen to it and let it get you into sound garden).

tragic loss

still my all time favorite singer who ever lived . Gone but never forgotten.

A Generational Singer and Entertainer

I enjoyed the backstory about his family and how he grew up in Seattle.

The development of his grunge family network is fascinating. Many of them impacting the world musical presence.

An ok performance to a fantastic book

As good as this book is, I can't get away from the deadpan sounding narrator.

Total F**king pleasure!

I’m a music fanatic and I’ve checked out a lot of these biographies on Audible. I knew very little about Chris Cornell, Soundgarden, or Audioslave. I didn’t even realize how popular they were, it seems like a Stone video has close to 1 billion views. It was great to hear the sequence of album is being released and to listen to them in conjunction with the book. The narrator was fine but whoever told him to talk with an English accent needs their head examined. Ha ha I recommend the book.

Great Book For Fans of Chris Cornell

Grunge and the Seattle sound was such an important influence in my life.

I finally got to see Chris Cornell play live at the historic Florida Theater in Jacksonville, FL on his final “Higher Truth” tour June 17, 2016. (On April 18, 2012, the AIA's Florida Chapter placed the building on its list of Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100 Places.)

The songs played that night were: Before We Disappear /Can't Change Me /Til the Sun Comes Back Around /Nothing Compares 2 U (Prince cover) /Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart /The Times They Are A-Changin' (Bob Dylan cover) /Josephine /Fell on Black Days /Soundgarden song) /Doesn't Remind Me /(Audioslave song) /Say Hello 2 Heaven (Temple of the Dog song) /Blow Up the Outside World /(Soundgarden song) /Let Your Eyes Wander /Sunshower /Rusty Cage (Soundgarden song) /Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden song) /I Am the Highway (Audioslave song) /Misery Chain /Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog song) One /(U2 cover) /A Day in the Life (The Beatles cover) /Seasons /Higher Truth

With input from those who knew and worked with him—together with his own words—Total F*cking Godhead recounts the rise of Chris Cornell and his immortal band Soundgarden as they emerged from the 1980s post-punk underground to dominate popular culture in the ’90s alongside Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, and Nirvana.

This book celebrates the music of Pacific Northwest while at the same time transporting you to that era when we were younger and more carefree.

Chris Cornell died May 18, 2017 less than a year after I saw him on the solo tour. Cornell's grave at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is close to my paternal grandparents are resting. So, I stop by to say hello while in the city.

I can’t say enough

So I won’t. It’s a great listen for anyone who loved that era of music. Chris’s gift was heartfelt and honest. That’s all I really want from a musician. This book tells the story of the music and it’s making in a subtle and easy manner and shows respect for everyone then and those left to live without him.

Thank you Corbin.

O.G.G

Total F*cking Package

This audiobook is a must for anyone who has ever had an even passing admiration for Chris Cornell. It’s no frills, it tells the story how it happened in a very straightforward way, while still sparking nostalgia and appreciation for the era and the region and the music that became part of our national identity and, with the exception of Eddie Vedder, tells the story of the leader of that cultural movement and his evolution, for better or worse. 99% of the story is about his life, not his death, but Cornell‘s fate in the end is treated with a profound and poetic sense of reverence. This is one I’ll listen to again.

Good book

Good book, learned more about a great artist. Book made me go back and listen to a whole bunch of his material. Narrator average, IMO

Wonderfully done

Total F*king Go Ahead: The Biography of Chris Cornell" is an incredibly well-written and captivating book that offers an in-depth look into the life of one of the most iconic and talented musicians of our time. The author, Corbin Reiff, has done an excellent job of researching and compiling the many facets of Chris Cornell's life, from his early beginnings in Seattle to his rise to fame as the frontman of Soundgarden and later with Audioslave.

Reiff's writing style is both engaging and informative, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of Cornell's creative process, personal struggles, and his unwavering dedication to his craft. The book is packed with fascinating details and anecdotes that shed light on Cornell's life, including his early influences, his songwriting methods, and his collaborations with other musicians.

One of the standout features of this book is its honest portrayal of Cornell's struggles with addiction and mental health. Reiff does not shy away from these difficult topics, but instead offers a sensitive and insightful perspective that is both respectful and informative. The book also provides an intimate look at Cornell's relationships with his family, friends, and fellow musicians, which further adds to the depth of the story.

Overall, "Total F*king Go Ahead" is a must-read for any fan of Chris Cornell or anyone interested in the history of grunge and alternative rock music. Reiff's writing is both compelling and informative, and he does an excellent job of honoring Cornell's legacy while also providing a nuanced and honest portrait of the man behind the music. This book is a fitting tribute to one of the greatest musicians of our time and a truly fantastic read.