The drummer of the band takes to Instagram to share a throwback picture of him and the late singer, writing, 'Can't believe it's already been one year since I lost my musical soulmate and special friend Chris Cornell.'

• May 19, 2018

AceShowbiz - Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron paid tribute to his late frontman Chris Cornell on the first anniversary of the singer's death on Friday, May 18.

The rocker took his own life in a Detroit, Michigan hotel room after a Soundgarden gig in the city a year ago, and Cameron took to Instagram to share his thoughts with fans.

Posting a photo from one of the group's early shows, he wrote: "Can't believe it's already been one year since I lost my musical soulmate and special friend Chris Cornell."

"Chris always led by example - his work ethic, his sense of humor, his love of animals... his love of family," he added. "Bands are nearly impossible to get right, but Soundgarden felt incredibly fierce and so right for me on day one, mid-February 1986."

Cameron went on to recall auditioning for the band in Cornell's living room, when the singer joined him for a rendition of the group's Ocean Fronts.

"The tune had kind of a long intro, it sounded great and then all of a sudden Chris starts singing the verse," he wrote. "I was instantly blown away by the impact of his voice and I felt myself settling into the band on my first try. It was all because of that mindblowing voice.

Can't believe it's already been one year since I lost my musical soulmate and special friend Chris Cornell. Chris always led by example-his work ethic, his sense of humor, his love of animals, his love of the Cascades, his love of family. Bands are nearly impossible to get right, but Soundgarden felt incredibly fierce and so right for me on day one, mid February 1986. I auditioned for Soundgarden in Chris' living room, sat behind his rusty Tama kit and counted in Ocean Fronts, my all time favorite SG tune. The tune had kind of a long intro, it sounded great and then all of a sudden Chris starts singing the verse. I was instantly blown away by the impact of his voice and I felt myself settling into the band on my first try. It was all because of that mind blowing voice. When the song was over Chris turned to me with a big smile on his face and said "you played it perfectly, we have a gig at the Central in one week, want to do it?" "Yes, I want to do it," I replied. I will forever praise him for the decades of encouragement he gave me and for the fierce friendship we forged. I love you buddy.

A post shared by Matt Cameron (@themattcameron) on May 18, 2018 at 11:04am PDT

"When the song was over, Chris turned to me with a big smile on his face and said, 'You played it perfectly. We have a gig at the Central in one week. Want to do it?' 'Yes, I want to do it,' I replied. I will forever praise him for the decades of encouragement he gave me and for the fierce friendship we forged. I love you, buddy."