LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – On November 8, 2025, Soundgarden was honored at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The grunge pioneers have long been celebrated not just for their heavy sound but also for their unique artistic expression that transcended conventional rock genres.
The evening was marked by a fitting induction speech from actor Jim Carrey, who famously hosted “Saturday Night Live” in 1996 under the condition that Soundgarden would perform. Nearly three decades later, Carrey once again shared the stage with the band, this time accompanied by Taylor Momsen, lead singer of The Pretty Reckless. Their collaboration brought an energetic performance of “Rusty Cage.” Momsen is also set to release “A Pretty Reckless Christmas” soon, adding a festive touch to the occasion.
Brandi Carlile joined the celebration with a captivating rendition of “Black Hole Sun,” echoing a previous performance at The Gorge. The ceremony also featured appearances by Heart’s Nancy Wilson and Alice in Chains’ Jerry Cantrell, honoring the interconnected legacies of these influential bands. Notably, Chris Cornell, the late lead singer of Soundgarden, had previously inducted Heart into the Hall in 2013.
The surviving members of Soundgarden—Kim Thayil, Ben Shepherd, and Matt Cameron—were accompanied on stage by original bassist Hiro Yamamoto, making the reunion even more poignant. Alongside the celebration of their rich history, news surfaced that a final Soundgarden album is approximately 75% complete, featuring unreleased vocals from Cornell, adding an emotional weight to the event.
Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, who worked with Cornell in Audioslave, praised Soundgarden for revitalizing hard rock and aptly described Cornell as a “punk-rock Robert Plant.” Spanning across albums like “Ultramega OK,” “Louder Than Love,” “Badmotorfinger,” and “Superunknown,” Soundgarden played a pivotal role in shaping the grunge movement. Cornell’s remarkable vocal range, paired with Thayil’s commanding guitar work and Cameron’s drumming precision, established their distinctive sound.
Though Cornell’s passing left a significant gap in the music world, the induction of Soundgarden served not only to commemorate their legacy but also to celebrate their enduring influence. The ceremony concluded on an intimate note, with Wilson and Cornell’s daughter, Toni, delivering a heartfelt performance of “Fell On Black Days” accompanied by a cello, encapsulating the emotional essence of the night.
Soundgarden’s induction reaffirmed their place among the legends of rock, proving that their music, characterized by its heaviness and strangeness, continues to resonate powerfully with fans and artists alike.