Soundgarden was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Los Angeles on Saturday. Guitarist Kim Thayil, drummer Matt Cameron, and bassists Ben Shepherd and Hiro Yamamoto accepted the honor for the band and late frontman Chris Cornell, who passed away in 2017.
Actor Jim Carrey presented the award, recalling that Soundgarden was the musical guest when he hosted Saturday Night Live in 1996. “Tonight, we make sure that Soundgarden goes down in history as one of the most majestic, powerful, and influential bands ever to be inducted,” Carrey said. He added, “Long live Chris Cornell, and long live Soundgarden!”
After Carrey’s speech, Cornell’s daughter, Lily Cornell, introduced a two-song performance by Soundgarden. They kicked off with “Rusty Cage,” featuring Taylor Momsen from The Pretty Reckless on lead vocals, along with Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready, Thayil, Shepherd, and Cameron. They followed with “Black Hole Sun,” with vocals by Momsen and Americana artist Brandi Carlile, plus Jerry Cantrell from Alice in Chains on guitar and Yamamoto, Soundgarden’s original bassist.
In their acceptance speeches, the band members honored Cornell. Cameron called him “my hero,” while Thayil expressed, “I miss him, I love him, and I love all of my Soundgarden brothers.” Cornell’s daughter, Toni, also performed “Fell on Black Days,” accompanied by Nancy Wilson of Heart.
Highlights from the 2025 Rock Hall induction ceremony will air on January 1 on ABC.
