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Soundgarden is finally getting its rightful place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The Seattle-born band is part of the Class of 2025, and its a long-overdue honor for one of grunge’s most powerful and pioneering acts. Soundgarden’s induction isn’t just a nostalgic pat on the back for the grunge grandfathers; it’s a long-awaited moment of recognition. The group was first nominated in 2020 and again in 2023 before finally earning their place among rock’s elite in 2025. Guitarist Kim Thayil told NME the band’s becoming part of the Rock Hall carries serious emotional weight. “It’s a high bar, not just technically, but emotionally,” he said. Additionally, Thayil told Billboard that he believes late Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell would have been “thankful” for the Rock Hall accolade. “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.” Parade Daily🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 Thayil continued, “That’s how I believe Chris would respond to this. I think he’d be very appreciative and thankful to all the people who have believed in him and believed in the work he did and the work that we all did, collectively.” Soundgarden’s sound is as relevant today as it was when Cornell, Thayil, and Hiro Yamamoto formed the group in 1984. Later members of the band included Scott Sundquist and Matt Cameron. Therefore, Soundgarden’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction feels like a full-circle moment. From fashion to music festivals, the gritty spirit of the ’90s continues to find new life as Gen Z continues to discover bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam (inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 2014 and 2017) and Alice in Chains (who have yet to be inducted), on streaming platforms. On TikTok, Soundgarden and Chris Cornell videos have reached millions of viewers with their messages of resilience, reflection, and raw emotion. Soundgarden’s influence on new generations of listeners reminds music fans that great music never really fades; it just finds new ears. Who will perform with Soundgarden during their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction? In Chris Cornell’s absence (he died on May 18, 2017, at 52), Soundgarden will be joined onstage by Brandi Carlisle, Heart’s Nancy Wilson, Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready, and The Pretty Reckless‘ Taylor Momsen, as reported by the Seattle Times. Also performing at the induction will be original member Yamamoto, along with Thayil and Shepherd. Cornell previously inducted Heart into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. He called them his “hometown heroes” and praised the Wilson sisters, Ann and Nancy, for their musical talent and ability to break down barriers.
