Soundgarden’s Rock Hall Induction: A Bittersweet Honor for Chris Cornell’s Legacy
After years of anticipation, Soundgarden is finally being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This momentous occasion is not just a celebration of the band's enduring legacy but also a poignant reminder of the late Chris Cornell's impact. Guitarist Kim Thayil reflects on the bittersweet honor, acknowledging Cornell's influence on their perspective and the band's collective journey.
"This is important, especially for the legacy of Soundgarden, and for Chris’s legacy,” Thayil told Billboard. “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.”
Cornell's Influence on Thayil's Perspective
Thayil admits his initial cynicism toward the Rock Hall evolved, largely due to Cornell. After Cornell inducted Heart in 2013, and friends from Nirvana and Pearl Jam were inducted other years, his outlook shifted.
"Chris lived the experience and said the enthusiasm of the fans was eye-opening for him, and understanding how important that was – and Matt seconded it,” Thayil explained to Billboard. “In so many ways the fans got some kind of validation by having a band that was important to their heart and that they championed get (the honor). I know I felt that way about bands I believed in, whether the MC5 or the Ramones or Kiss."
Thayil further shared with Rolling Stone, "A friend or a peer or very specifically, Chris Cornell, would attend an induction, and then tell me how they read the enthusiasm from the audience or from their peers. He said that changed everything, seeing how important it was to fans to be validated. Someone they had championed and believed in and who moved them for many years is now being recognized. And in a way, it’s an affirmation of their judgment, their taste, and of their fandom."
Remembering Chris Cornell
Cornell tragically passed away in 2017, leaving a void in the music world. However, his spirit lives on through Soundgarden's music and the memories shared by his bandmates. Thayil believes Cornell would be proud of their induction.
“He’s the one who convinced me how appreciative the fans and our peers and the Soundgarden community — that includes the people that we work with and work for us — would be about it,” Thayil tells Billboard. “He realized how important that was, and he understood that would be important to us because it’s important to people who cared about us and helped us and supported us all along.”
Induction Ceremony and Future Performances
The induction ceremony, scheduled for November 8th in Los Angeles, promises to be a momentous occasion. While specific details regarding a performance are still under wraps, Thayil has confirmed the band will perform, and hinted possibilities of guest performances. Thayil acknowledges the emotional weight of finding a suitable vocalist to honor Cornell's memory. The band will also be inducting original bassist Hiro Yamamoto, who played with the band for 5 years.
“It’s a high bar, not just technically but emotionally,” Thayil says. “There has to be a reverence for the missing brother and founder, and there also has to be reverence for the legacy — both for Chris’s work and Chris’s creativity, as well as the regard and reverence we have for ourselves collectively and for each other.”
Unreleased Material
The status of unreleased Soundgarden recordings, previously entangled in legal matters, remains uncertain. However, Thayil assures fans that the catalog will be revisited in the future. This gives hope to fans eager to hear more of Soundgarden's music, especially the final recordings featuring Cornell.
Soundgarden's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a testament to their musical innovation and lasting impact. While the absence of Chris Cornell casts a shadow, his memory will undoubtedly be honored and celebrated. What are your favorite Soundgarden memories and what songs would you hope to hear them perform at the induction ceremony? Share your thoughts and memories in the comments below.
