Irish rockers U2 performed a touching tribute to late Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell at their latest Joshua Tree tour show.

Performing at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California on 20 May, frontman Bono delivered a short speech praising Cornell's talent and mentioning the deceased rocker's widow Vicky Karayiannis and his three children. The With Or Without You singer said: "To his lioness Vicky, to Christopher, Toni and Lily. The whole family, beautiful, sweet souls."

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Bono, 57, then dedicated U2's Running To Stand Still to Cornell, who died in a suspected suicide on 17 May. Prior to the Rose Bowl concert, Soundgarden's hit single Black Hole Sun played through speakers as the audience filled the venue.

Cornell, aged 52 at the time of his death, was known to be a huge fan of U2 and famously covered the band's One mashed-up with Metallica's song of the same name in 2013.

Other rockers also paid tribute to Cornell in their droves over the weekend. Ryan Adams performed a cover of Superunknown at his gig in Auckland, New Zealand while Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler dedicated their encore of Dream On to the late musician. During their concert at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on 19 May, Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo incorporated Black Hole Sun into his solo.

Cornell died just hours after performing his final gig with Soundgarden at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. Drummer Matt Cameron, is the first band member to break his silence on Cornell's untimely death, writing on Facebook: "My dark knight is gone. Thank you for the incredible outpouring of kindness and love."

Chris Cornell of Soundgarden performs during their concert in Toronto
Chris Cornell died on 17 May in a suspected suicide Reuters

In an interview given to Billboard before Cornell's death, Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil revealed that the band were working on a new album. It has been confirmed that the You Know My Name singer will be laid to rest in a private funeral at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery on 26 May. A source also told CNN that plans are in motion for a public memorial to take place at a later date.

U2's Joshua Tree tour resumes at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on 24 May.

Watch U2's tribute to Chris Cornell: