A monumental musical event unfolded at the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony: Soundgarden, joined by an impressive lineup of musical legends, delivered unforgettable performances. This wasn't just a concert; it was a powerful tribute and a celebration of a band's enduring legacy.
The surviving members of Soundgarden – Matt Cameron, Kim Thayil, and Ben Shepherd – shared the stage with an all-star cast. The performances were nothing short of spectacular, featuring Brandi Carlile, Mike McCready from Pearl Jam, Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains, and Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless.
Cantrell took up his guitar as Momsen took the lead on "Rusty Cage," even mirroring some of Chris Cornell's iconic stage presence. Then, Carlile lent her voice to "Black Hole Sun," with Momsen joining in on the famous chorus.
And this is the part most people miss... After the band's acceptance speeches, there was another emotional tribute. Toni Cornell, Chris Cornell's daughter, and Nancy Wilson of Heart delivered an acoustic version of "Fell on Black Days."
But here's where it gets controversial... While some might find Brandi Carlile an unexpected choice for Soundgarden, her connection to the band runs deep. She performed with them at the "I Am The Highway: A Tribute to Chris Cornell" show in Los Angeles on January 16, 2019. During that show, Carlile sang "Black Hole Sun" and "Hunger Strike" with Chris Stapleton and Brendan O’Brien.
"We wanted to keep it as Seattle-centric as possible and include some people that were there with us in the beginning," Cameron explained, highlighting the importance of their roots. Thayil added, "It’s very important because it’s part of our identity. We’re not simply ‘rock guys’ in this band Soundgarden. We’re rock guys in this band Soundgarden that helped establish the Seattle scene and the sound. The geography is very important to our identity. It’s where we are, it’s where we came from. It’s who we are.”
Soundgarden's induction into the Rock Hall was a long time coming, marking their third nomination after being considered in 2020 and 2023.
The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class also included The White Stripes, Bad Company, OutKast, Cyndi Lauper, Chubby Checker, and Joe Cocker.
What are your thoughts on the collaborations? Do you think the choices of performers were fitting tributes to Soundgarden and Chris Cornell? Share your opinions in the comments!
