July 1980. James gave Joseph Kennedy Sr. the "go" signal to recruit Chris Cornell, or rather his legal name, Christopher John Boyle. At this time, Chris Cornell was going by the name Christopher John Cornell.
Joseph Kennedy Sr. had already tasked one of his newly recruited scouts to go around Chris Cornell's address and observe him, since James had instructed Joseph Kennedy Sr. two months earlier to find out where Chris Cornell was and investigate his status. No contact, just pure scouting and investigating.
After 2 months, with James' "go ahead" signal, Joseph Kennedy Sr. called his scout and told to recruit the kid.
The scout received Joseph Kennedy Sr's order and then with the already pre-planned way of approaching, he drove his rented car and drove around Seattle's Magnolia neighborhood and found the open garage where Chris Cornell and his "cover" band practices.
He parked a block away, stepped out, locked the door, and walked toward the garage, where loud music and live instruments echoed from inside..
When he got to the walking lane opposite of the garage, he stopped and acted as if he was interested to listen. He looked around and crossed the street. He then approached the garage closely and stopped at the entrance. He slipped his hands into his coat pockets, eyes scanning the scene, pretending to be just another passerby enjoying the sound.
As for Chris Cornell and his bandmates, they did not notice the scout at first as they were focused on practising the song they were playing, it was a cover of a Beatles song.
However, as Chris Cornell did the clumsy drumroll, he saw a man in a suit standing outside the garage watching them. He quickly stopped and told his bandmates about the man.
"Yo, what's up?" one of Chris' bandmates walked to the scout closely and asked in a polite manner.
"Uh, I was just walking around and heard live music, then I saw you guys. Sounded good. You play gigs around here?" the scout said.
"Nothing concrete yet, but what is it for you?" the bandmate replied.
"It was nothing, it's just that I heard the drummer's voice doing the second voice, can I talk to him for a second?" The scout took a turn and looked at Chris Cornell who just stood up from his drummer's seat.
"Oh is that so? Yo Chris! You got company!" the bandmate called.
"Uhm… what is it about, sir?" Chris Cornell asked curiously.
"Well, I heard your voice, I just want to confirm, can you sing a song for me? If you do, this $10 is yours, how about it?" the scout offered.
Chris Cornell's bandmates were surprised and urged him to sing for the man.
"Ten bucks?" Chris Cornell said in a surprised tone.
"Yo Chris that is freaking $10 man! That's like three hours at the diner, man! Sing your favorite song! Let him hear it!" both the bandmates said.
Still doubtful, and quite hesitant to sing for someone, Chris Cornell asked one last time, "You sure, Sir? I do not have that kind of a nice voice after all."
"Kid, do not think about it much, I just want to see if you got it or not, so if you do sing your favorite song to me for $10, do give it all, ugly or beautiful, once you sing it, this $10 is all yours." The scout replied smiling.
Both the bandmates urged and cheered.
"Okay, Sir, hope this will not disappoint you."
"Do not worry about it kid, just sing your favorite song, what is it though?" The scout asked.
"It is called "A Day in the Life" by the Beatles. Here it goes." Chris inhaled quite a large amount of air and then started singing in a low voice.
"I read the news today oh boy"
"About a lucky man who made the grade"
"And though the news was rather sad"
"Well I just had to laugh"
"I saw the photograph"
"He blew his mind out in a car"
"He didn't notice that the lights had changed"
"A crowd of people stood and stared"
"They'd seen his face before"
"Nobody was really sure"
"If he was from the House of Lords"
"I saw a film today oh boy"
"The English Army had just won the war"
"A crowd of people turned away"
"But I just had to look"
"Having read the book"
"I'd love to turn you on"
"Woke up, fell out of bed"
"Dragged a comb across my head"
"Found my way downstairs and drank a cup"
"And looking up I noticed I was late"
"Found my coat and grabbed my hat"
"Made the bus in seconds flat"
"Found my way upstairs and had a smoke"
"And somebody spoke and I went into a dream"
"I read the news today oh boy"
"Four thousand holes in Blackburn, Lancashire"
"And though the holes were rather small"
"They had to count them all"
"Now they know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall"
"I'd love to turn you on"
Chris Cornell stopped singing, opened his eyes and said, "What do you think, Sir?"
As for the 2 bandmates, they were shocked and just screamed "What the fuck was that, Chris!" and "I did not know you could sing like that, Chris!".
The scout nodded and handed over the $10 to Chris Cornell and told him, "It was okay-ish, though you lack the proper technique and practice, I could say it's quite interesting. By the way, do you live around here?"
"Why do you ask, Sir?" Chris Cornell curiously asked back while he was pocketing the $10.
"Uh well, it is something, about music and all, do you live with your parents?" The scout asked again, though vaguely.
"Uhm…" Chris Cornell hesitated, he did not know this man at all who suddenly appeared and asked him to sing for him.
The scout noticed the fear and hesitation from Chris Cornell's eyes and facial expression. "Look, kid, I'm not some creep. I work for an independent label. Here's my card. I'm scouting voices just like yours. I will not force you but I tell you to tell your parents about me and call me once you decide. Or… I will wait for you right here to decide and take me to your parents today, I'll give you more details about my offer, what about it, kid?"
Chris Cornell was shocked. 'A scout!? Me being scouted!? We haven't played a single show yet!'
"Sir, are you sure I am the one you want to scout?" Chris Cornell asked.
"Kid, I did not ask anyone but you right?" The scout smiled.
Chris Cornell turned and looked at his two bandmates. He saw their facial expressions. They were the faces of amazement and full of support.
"Chris, do not think this at all! Fucking grab it man! Does not matter if you make it big or not, maybe you'll be the rockstar that you were dreaming of! Just like the Beatles! Just like John Lennon! There is nothing to lose if you do not try you know!?" One of his bandmates excitedly said.
"He was right, Chris! Fucking go with the man, and bring him to your mother! This man might be your family's ticket out of here!" The other bandmate said.
"You guys…" Chris Cornell was surprised, he felt their heartfelt encouragement. With an "inhale and exhale" moment, Chris Cornell nodded at the two bandmates then turned to the scout and told him to go with him, his mother was at home with his siblings.
"Great. Let us go, kid, I have a rental. We will be there in no time." The scout guided Chris Cornell to his car and they went off to his home.