Soundgarden was officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2025, with actor Jim Carrey delivering a remarkable induction speech. Surviving band members Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron, Hiro Yamamoto, and Ben Shepherd accepted the accolade together, sharing their own heartfelt remarks during the ceremony. This milestone celebrates Soundgarden’s influential role in the rock landscape, particularly highlighting their significant contributions to the Seattle grunge movement.
The band had been eligible for this honor since 2013, marking 25 years since their first album’s release, and had previously received three nominations prior to this induction. Tragically, this recognition comes after the passing of their late singer Chris Cornell, who died in 2017 during a tour with the band.
Soundgarden’s Enduring Influence and Legacy
Despite selling approximately 30 million albums worldwide, which is modest compared to many Rock Hall inductees, Soundgarden’s legacy lies in their distinctive musical craftsmanship and profound influence across generations. While frequently labeled as grunge pioneers alongside contemporaries like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, their sound is a unique blend of hard rock, punk, metal, and psychedelic elements, distinguished by intricate riffs, energetic grooves, and introspective lyrics.
During the induction event, performances included Taylor Momsen from The Pretty Reckless and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam collaborating on “Rusty Cage,” followed by Brandi Carlile and Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains performing “Black Hole Sun.” These musical tributes emphasized Soundgarden’s esteemed position within the rock community.
Jim Carrey’s Emotional and Animated Induction Speech
Jim Carrey captivated the audience with a vivid and heartfelt speech connecting his personal journey to Soundgarden’s artistry and musical impact. He recounted growing up inspired by the hard rock era, spending hours learning power chords in his basement, and witnessing the Seattle music scene’s explosive rise, which reignited his passion for rock and roll.
Carrey described how Soundgarden were not merely participants but key originators of this movement. He praised guitarist Kim Thayil, bassist Hiro Yamamoto, and singer/drummer Chris Cornell for blending diverse genres into a powerful soundscape, complemented by Cornell’s extraordinary vocal ability that evoked intense emotions. Carrey shared his initial reaction to the band’s music as wanting to express wild enthusiasm symbolized by donning a flannel shirt and running into the streets, quoting, “My mother smoked during pregnancy!”
He detailed Soundgarden’s fearless ascent from Seattle bars to global fame, highlighting their 1994 album Superunknown as transformative, featuring iconic songs like “Spoonman,” “Fell on Black Days,” and “Black Hole Sun.” Carrey described “Black Hole Sun” as a window into an apocalyptic dream, marked by Cornell’s authentic presence, and remarked on his personal conversations with the late singer:
Hi, Chris. How you doing? Me? Great, never better. Please look away. Probe no further.
– Jim Carrey, Actor
Carrey recalled hosting Soundgarden on Saturday Night Live in 1996, praising their rehearsal of “Pretty Noose” and how the experience was like an “audio baptism.” After the show, the band gifted him a Fender Telecaster signed by all members, which became a treasured possession despite the damaged pick guard. He humorously shared a memory, true or imagined, of Chris Cornell visiting his hotel room with a guitar and bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken to write songs together.
Carrey reflected on several opportunities to spend time with Chris Cornell, emphasizing the singer’s sincerity, thoughtfulness, and humor. He noted the band’s split in 1997 and their eventual reunion in 2010, which yielded renewed creativity and energetic performances. Carrey concluded his tribute by honoring the memory of Cornell and the band’s collective influence:
Tonight, we make sure that Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, Hiro Yamamoto, Matt Cameron and Ben Shepherd go down as one of the most majestic, powerful and influential bands ever to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Long live Chris Cornell, and long live Soundgarden.
– Jim Carrey, Actor
Personal Reflections and Messages from Soundgarden Members
Following their performance and Jim Carrey’s speech, each Soundgarden member expressed their gratitude and shared personal reflections during the acceptance portion of the ceremony. The band was also joined in recognition by Chris Cornell’s daughter, Lillian, who delivered a moving speech thanking fans for supporting her father’s music.
Hiro Yamamoto’s Tribute to Chris Cornell and Family
Hiro Yamamoto highlighted the absence of Chris Cornell on stage, expressing love and acknowledging that the band would not be present without him. He also paid tribute to his wife, children, and parents, connecting his family history to broader social reflections:
Chris Cornell, we are missing you tonight on this stage. We all love you and we would not be here without you. Somewhere out there, Chris, we’re talking to you. I’ll continue, but let’s remember Chris — we wouldn’t be here without him. To my wife, Kate — every moment with you is special. Love to you and great love to my children, Joji and Yoshi. Thanks to my parents, whose story as American citizens who were rounded up and placed into prison camps just for being Japanese during World War II affected my life greatly. It echoes strongly today. Let’s not add another story like this to our history. We can do better than this. It’s up to us to take the power back and keep the dialogue alive — because that’s what we need. We wouldn’t be here without the support of so many people — our family, friends, and everyone who helped us directly or indirectly. To all the bands we’ve played and shared stages with, their crews, and everyone involved, thank you. And the biggest thanks to the fans. We’ve heard so many stories about how the music we created became your own, and that’s the greatest recognition of all. To everyone else out there — especially all you brown kids — let’s rock. Thank you.
– Hiro Yamamoto, Bassist
Matt Cameron’s Appreciation and Dedication
Drummer Matt Cameron expressed his thanks to his family, industry colleagues, and fellow musicians, reflecting on the support network that contributed to their success. He dedicated the honor to fans and those who identified with Soundgarden’s music, particularly those who found solace in Chris Cornell’s songwriting.
I’d like to thank my wife, April, our children, Raymond and Josie Cameron, Susan Silver, Kelly Curtis, Jon Poneman, Bruce Pavitt, Greg Ginn, Chuck Bukowski, Herb Alpert, Jerry Moss, Jimmy Page, Al CaFaro, Jim Guerno, Al Marx, Rick Schaffer, Scott Casey, Jerome Crooks, Eric Johnson, Stuart Halderman, Jack Endino, Terry Date, Michael Beinhorn, Adam Casper, Brendan O’Brien, Joe Parisi, Mark Cunningham, Corin Capshaw, Jill Berliner, Nate Cassino, Neil Hunt, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, The Melvins, The Wipers, Alice In Chains and the countless bands and fellow musicians we had the pleasure of interacting with in the ’80s and ’90s. I accept this honor on behalf of the fans of our music — and also the misfits, loners, and introverts who found comfort and solace in the lyrics and music of my hero and bandmate, Chris Cornell. I love you, Chris.
– Matt Cameron, Drummer
Kim Thayil on Gratitude and Band Dynamics
Lead guitarist Kim Thayil thanked the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the recognition and expressed appreciation for fans’ loyalty over four decades. He acknowledged the record labels, management teams, crew members, and producers who supported the band. Thayil also honored the immigrant backgrounds shared by several band members and recalled the creative environment that Chris Cornell helped foster within the group.
I’d like to thank the Hall for this recognition in honor of our decades-long career. I want to thank our fans for over 40 years of enduring loyalty and support. Collectively, I’d like to thank Sub Pop, SST and A&M Universal Records. Thanks to Red Light Management and their Seattle offices, Silver Management, our legal team and business management. Thanks to our touring crew and backline and to all our recording engineers and co-producers. Matt took care of a great list of individuals, and yes — all of them too. I want to thank my partner, Jenni, and our dog, Evie. I especially want to thank my immigrant parents for encouraging my curiosity in science and the arts and for instilling values that I also found in Hiro, another son of immigrants, as well as in Ben, Matt, and Chris. Shoutout to Scott Sundquist and Jason Everman. Together, we built a culture of encouragement and creative risk that nurtured our curiosity and collective spirit. If one of us ever hesitated to share an idea, Chris would be the first to say,
Let’s just try it out and see.
I miss him, I love him, and I love all my Soundgarden brothers.
– Kim Thayil, Guitarist
Ben Shepherd’s Brief but Powerful Message
Bassist Ben Shepherd kept his remarks succinct yet meaningful, greeting his mother and sharing a phrase in his native language that translates to a message of solidarity and moving forward together.
Keep it short, right? Hi, Mom. “Ǧungida barigo mabét.” That’s a three-letter word meaning, “We’re side by side. Let’s go forward. There’s a lot of work to do.” Love you all.
– Ben Shepherd, Bassist
Significance of Soundgarden’s Induction and Their Continuing Impact
Soundgarden’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame marks a celebration of their groundbreaking role in shaping the sound and culture of American rock music, particularly within the grunge movement that emerged in Seattle. Their fusion of genres and emotional depth placed them among the most treasured and formidable bands of their era.
The presence of notable musicians from related bands during the ceremony, and heartfelt speeches from surviving members and friends, reinforce Soundgarden’s lasting influence on both peers and fans. The recognition ensures Chris Cornell’s memory endures, marking his voice and songwriting as timeless contributions to music history.
As Soundgarden moves forward from this defining moment, their legacy continues to inspire new generations of musicians and listeners, with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction serving as a testament to their profound artistic achievements and cultural importance.
