Soundgarden officially entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday, with actor and comedian Jim Carrey leading the tribute in a moving, personal speech that recalled his first encounter with the grunge icons nearly three decades ago. The induction ceremony took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, streamed live on Disney+, and honored one of the most influential bands of the 1990s.
Jim Carrey delivered an emotional induction speech for Soundgarden at the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday, November 8, in Los Angeles. The comedian reflected on meeting the band during his Saturday Night Live hosting stint in 1996, recalling how he personally requested them as the musical guest. The event celebrated Soundgarden’s enduring impact on rock music and honored the memory of late frontman Chris Cornell.
Main Details
During his address, Jim Carrey shared vivid memories of the band’s performance of “Pretty Noose”, calling it an “audio baptism.” He noted how that experience shaped his admiration for Soundgarden’s artistry.
Carrey also revealed that the band gifted him a Fender Telecaster signed by all four members — one of his most cherished possessions — including Cornell.
Following a video tribute, Lily Cornell, the late singer’s eldest daughter, took the stage to thank her family and the band’s longtime manager, Susan Silver. The surviving members — Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron, Ben Shepherd, and founding bassist Hiro Yamamoto — reunited for the ceremony, marking a rare public appearance together.
Quotes and Reactions
“Chris would be the first to say, ‘Let’s just try it out and see,’” Kim Thayil reflected during the induction. “I miss him. I love him, and I love all my Soundgarden brothers.”
Jim Carrey praised Cornell’s legacy, saying the late frontman “pushed rock into a new emotional space, one that was both dark and liberating.”
Yamamoto added a poignant reminder about history, referencing his family’s World War II internment: “Let’s not add another story like this to our history.”
Impact and Legacy
The induction highlights Soundgarden’s influence on modern rock and its connection to a generation of artists. Performances by Taylor Momsen (“Rusty Cage”), Brandi Carlile (“Black Hole Sun”), and Toni Cornell (“Fell on Black Days”) symbolized the band’s lasting reach across genres.
Soundgarden’s inclusion in the Rock Hall also recognizes their contributions to the Seattle grunge movement alongside Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains.
What’s Next
The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class also included OutKast, Cyndi Lauper, The White Stripes, Bad Company, Chubby Checker, and Joe Cocker. The full ceremony is now available on Disney+ on-demand.
Soundgarden’s surviving members are expected to release a commemorative live collection later this year, celebrating their induction and legacy.
Sources
Billboard.com
Yahoo Entertainment
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (official site)
Disney+ Live Stream Coverage
