The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame finally got it right! Soundgarden, the legendary grunge pioneers who changed the sound of the 90s, officially received their induction in a ceremony that was equal parts celebration and tribute. From the moment Jim Carrey took the stage, you could feel the electricity in the room—this wasn’t just another awards show, this was history in the making for one of rock’s most influential bands.
Jim Carrey’s induction speech was pure magic, y’all. Calling their 1996 SNL performance an ‘audio baptism’ that left him feeling ‘free’—how iconic is that? The man known for comedy brought some serious heartfelt energy, reminding everyone why Soundgarden’s raw, powerful sound resonated so deeply. That performance really was a moment that defined a generation of rock fans, and hearing Carrey describe it with such passion gave us all chills.
The emotional moments kept coming when Chris Cornell’s daughters took the stage. Seeing Toni and Lillian Cornell honoring their father’s legacy was incredibly moving—a beautiful reminder that while Chris may be gone, his music and spirit live on. The reunion with founding bassist Hiro Yamamoto added another layer of significance, bringing the band’s full story full circle for this long-overdue recognition.
‘An audio baptism that left me feeling free’ – Jim Carrey on Soundgarden’s 1996 SNL performance
Now let’s talk about those performances—WOW! Taylor Momsen absolutely crushed ‘Rusty Cage’ with that signature gritty energy that would make Chris proud. Then Brandi Carlile joined for a hauntingly beautiful ‘Black Hole Sun’ that had everyone in the room mesmerized. But the real showstopper was Toni Cornell closing the night with ‘Fell on Black Days’—her voice carrying her father’s legacy in the most breathtaking way possible. These weren’t just covers; they were love letters to the music.
For Memphis music lovers who grew up with Soundgarden’s groundbreaking sound, this induction hits different. Remember blasting ‘Superunknown’ while cruising down Poplar Avenue? Or that time they rocked Mud Island back in the day? Soundgarden’s influence runs deep in our city’s rock scene, and seeing them get this recognition feels like a win for all of us who’ve been rocking out to them since the beginning.
Congratulations to Soundgarden—legends finally in their rightful place in rock history!