Season 1 - Episode 28 - Contract, Conditions, and Landing!

A couple days have passed.

The contract has been made, and as per Mrs. Sharon Osbourne, Chris Cornell will be given a month of trial throughout the month's schedule and if he fucked up or everyone on his side fucked up, he will be replaced immediately and will not be paid at all. 

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In the meet up location in Michigan. In a private meeting room, April 3, 1981.

The room was dimly lit, with a single ceiling fan whirring overhead and the quiet murmur of traffic outside. Sharon Osbourne sat at the end of a long glass table, sunglasses perched on her head, a cigarette between her fingers. Beside her, a sharp eyed lawyer in a gray suit quietly tapped a paper folder.

Across from her sat Joseph Kennedy Sr., stone faced and calm, dressed sharply in a classic black suit. He did not flinch and did not fidget. Behind that old school businessman aura was the quiet force of someone who would burn a city down for his young master without hesitation.

Sharon leaned forward. "Alright, Mr. Kennedy. Here is the deal."

She slid the folder across the table. He opened it, scanning quickly with practiced eyes.

"You have got yourself a real talent with this Chris Cornell kid. Ozzy likes him. A lot. But that does not mean we are handing him a golden ticket."

He nodded slowly. "Understood. Let us talk terms."

Her lawyer stepped in, voice flat but firm. "The agreement is for one month, April only. Chris Cornell opens for Ozzy on every United States date. No Canada, no Europe. Just here."

He flipped to the relevant clause. "And this part?" he asked, tapping the paragraph.

Sharon blew out a puff of smoke. "If he screws up, even once, if he is late, if he throws a tantrum, if he can not handle the crowd, if anyone from your camp causes drama, he is out. Done. Replaced before the next show. No questions, no payments, no do overs."

He did not blink. "And if he performs flawlessly?"

"Then we will talk again in May." she said. "Maybe extend the deal. Maybe offer something more serious."

He raised an eyebrow. "And the pay?"

"No pay during the trial," Sharon said flatly. "Exposure is the compensation. The stage time, the crowds, the press, he will get more attention than anything your label has done so far."

He gave a small smile. "You clearly have not seen our projections."

Sharon chuckled. "I do not care about projections, darling. I care about results. Let us see if the kid is worth it."

He looked down at the contract one last time. Then he pulled out a gold pen from his pocket and signed without hesitation. "Done."

He stood up, buttoned his jacket, and looked Sharon in the eye. "Chris Cornell will not just survive this trial month. He will own it."

Sharon smirked. "I hope so, Mr. Kennedy. If not, well, you know how rock 'n' roll works. Someone always wants your spot."

He gave a slow nod. "He knows. And so do we."

Without another word, he walked out, already calling James.

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April 4, 1981. Back at Westport City, Washington.

James was in the middle of a drum solo, shirt off, sweat dripping down his back, headphones on, completely lost in the beat. Chris Cornell sat on the side couch with a water bottle, watching, nodding to the rhythm like he was mentally adding vocal lines over it.

That was when Joseph Kennedy Sr. stepped in, cool as ever, his black dress shoes tapping softly on the hardwood floor.

He stood by the console, arms behind his back. "Sir."

James finished the beat with a crash and pulled off the headphones. "Yo. You are back. How did it go?"

He nodded. "Contract has been signed."

Chris Cornell sat up. "Wait, what contract?"

He turned to face him. "You are opening for Ozzy Osbourne. The whole April tour. Starting this April 7th."

Chris Cornell's jaw dropped. "You are joking."

"I do not joke," he said.

James grinned wide. "Good."

He nodded once. "Mrs. Sharon Osbourne personally approved it after hearing the cassette. Ozzy wants Chris on stage, his words were 'raw energy, game-changer, must-have.' But..."

He reached into his briefcase and handed James a copy of the contract. "It is a trial month. One screw up from anyone, I mean anyone, and it is over. No second chances. No pay. They will replace him the next day."

Chris Cornell leaned forward, nervous now. "You mean like... even if I lose my voice or something?"

He turned to him. "If you lose your voice, show up late, cause drama backstage, get caught drinking, if your mic cuts out and you panic, if your bassist throws a beer bottle, anything, they drop you."

James nodded, serious now. "It is a cutthroat test. But if you pass..."

He folded his hands behind his back. "They will consider extending you into May. And from there? Could be a national headlining deal in a year. Maybe less."

Chris Cornell stood up, pacing. "No pressure or anything, huh?"

James walked over and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Nah, dude. You have got this. You have been training every single damn day for this. You are more ready than anyone in the scene."

He added, "Flights are arranged. First show's Detroit. April 7th. We'll leave on the 5th. Rehearsals and soundcheck on the 6th."

Chris Cornell took a deep breath, then nodded slowly. "Alright. Let us melt their faces."

James grinned. "That is what I wanna hear."

He checked his watch. "We will need to brief your mother. She will sign the performance clearance documents this afternoon."

Chris Cornell blinked. "Oh crap, I forgot she still needs to approve this..."

James waved it off. "Do not worry, man. Joseph will handle it."

He simply nodded. "It will be done."

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April 6, 1981. 3 in the morning.

Chris Cornell, his mother, James and Joseph Kennedy Sr, along with Sub Pop staff and hired sessionist musicians flew to Detroit Michigan from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). Chris Cornell specifically was so excited to meet a rock star legend like Ozzy Osbourne!

When they all landed, they were all taken to Detroit, Michigan through a rental and rented a cheap motel there.