A Moment of Raw, Unscripted Magic: Remembering When Jack Black and James Hetfield Honored Chris Cornell
Inglewood, CA – On the night of January 16, 2019, The Forum in Los Angeles was filled with the titans of rock music, all gathered for a single, solemn purpose: to honor the life and legacy of the late, great Chris Cornell. The “I Am the Highway: A Tribute to Chris Cornell” concert was an evening of epic, emotionally charged performances. Yet, amidst the meticulously rehearsed sets, one of the night’s most enduring moments was completely spontaneous, born from the unlikely and unforgettable pairing of a rock comedian and a metal god.
An Unscripted Interlude Becomes a Highlight
During a break between sets, actor and Tenacious D frontman Jack Black took the stage, tasked with keeping the crowd entertained. With his signature blend of manic energy and genuine passion, Black spoke warmly and humorously about his admiration for Chris Cornell, perfectly capturing the singer’s otherworldly talent by calling him “a singer who could hit notes that didn’t even exist yet.”
What began as a comedic interlude took a legendary turn. As Black playfully strummed the opening to Soundgarden’s “Spoonman,” a figure emerged from the wings without any announcement: Metallica’s James Hetfield. The crowd erupted in a roar of disbelief and delight. What followed was not a polished performance, but something far more powerful: a raw, impromptu jam session that eventually morphed into a stripped-down version of Metallica’s classic, “One.”
It was messy, it was loose, and it was absolutely perfect. The performance wasn’t about hitting every note flawlessly; it was about two friends sharing a moment of authentic, heartfelt tribute. It captured the true spirit of the evening: raw, real, and entirely from the heart.
A Night of Healing Through Noise
The tribute concert was a monumental gathering of the rock community, still reeling from Cornell’s tragic passing in May 2017. The stage was graced by an all-star lineup that included the Foo Fighters, Metallica, Fiona Apple, and surviving members of Soundgarden, Audioslave, and Temple of the Dog. The night was a necessary act of collective mourning and celebration, and the spontaneous jam between Black and Hetfield provided a much-needed moment of levity and connection.
In the days that followed, clips of the performance went viral. Fans lauded the duo’s incredible chemistry and the unfiltered, genuine nature of their tribute. Many called it a highlight of a night already filled with legendary moments, precisely because it was so unexpected and honest.
“He sang notes that didn’t even exist yet,” Jack Black repeated on stage. “He was a master… and tonight, we celebrate that.”
While the concert was packed with iconic performances, it was the surprising union of a comedian and a metal legend that delivered one of the most emotionally resonant moments. In that brief, glorious jam, Jack Black and James Hetfield reminded everyone what made Chris Cornell so special: his power to unite seemingly different worlds and make them sing with one voice.