Soundgarden will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this November, alongside Bad Company, marking a significant achievement for the iconic grunge band. For Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil, this honor is a deeply meaningful moment, particularly for the legacy of their late frontman, Chris Cornell.
Thayil expressed the importance of the induction for both Soundgarden and Chris Cornell’s legacy. He told Billboard, “This is important, especially for the legacy of Soundgarden, and for Chris’s legacy. It’s really important now to understand this from the perspective of the fans and to understand Soundgarden as both a current enterprise as well as a posthumous exercise.” He added that the moment is bittersweet, acknowledging how much Cornell would have appreciated the recognition. Thayil recalled Cornell attending one of the induction ceremonies, where he inducted Heart, and how the late singer understood the significance of such honors. “He would be very excited,” Thayil remarked.
Chris Cornell tragically took his own life in 2017, following a Soundgarden performance at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. Since his passing, the surviving members of Soundgarden have made only a couple of public appearances together—once with Brandi Carlile in 2021, and later at a benefit concert where guest vocalists Duff McKagan and Shaina Shepherd filled in for Cornell.
Alongside Soundgarden, The White Stripes are also being inducted in the 2025 class, marking a first for Jack White, along with OutKast, Cyndi Lauper, and Chubby Checker. However, some notable snubs occurred this year, including the omission of Oasis, Billy Idol, and the Black Crowes. Soundgarden, having been overlooked in previous years, knows the feeling all too well, but Thayil’s outlook on the Hall has evolved, largely due to Cornell’s influence. Thayil confirmed that the band will perform at the induction ceremony, as is customary, with a new vocalist stepping in to honor Cornell’s legacy.
The Rock Hall induction ceremony has been known for its memorable moments, from Prince’s electrifying “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” solo to Wolfgang Van Halen’s emotional tribute to his father. Although details remain unclear on who will sing with Soundgarden, Thayil emphasized the emotional weight of the task at hand. “It’s a high bar, not just technically but emotionally,” he explained. “There has to be a reverence for the missing brother and founder, and there also has to be reverence for the legacy.”
Soundgarden’s rise to fame came with their groundbreaking 1994 album Superunknown, a record marked by chaotic yet mesmerizing guitar solos. Thayil also highlighted the importance of including original bassist Hiro Yamamoto in the induction, acknowledging his pivotal role in shaping the band’s sound during their early years. “I definitely want Hiro to attend and participate in this,” Thayil said.
Meanwhile, Bad Company, another band being honored this year, shared their excitement over the induction. Lead singer Paul Rogers called it a “pretty amazing and very cool” moment, with guitarist Mick Ralphs expressing his elation. The band had garnered support from big names like Robert Plant, Ronnie Wood, Alice Cooper, and Sammy Hagar in the lead-up to the induction.
The ceremony in November will also recognize the late Warren Zevon and the influential rappers Salt-N-Pepa in the Musical Excellence category. Additionally, 2024 saw the induction of Peter Frampton.
In related news, it was revealed that before his passing, Chris Cornell held secret jam sessions with Alex and Eddie Van Halen. Had Cornell not died so suddenly, a full project with the Van Halen brothers might have materialized.
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