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Grunge giants Soundgarden<\/a> took center stage at the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame<\/a> induction ceremony, performing several of their classic hits with a collection of special guest stars.<\/p>\n After a moving introduction from actor Jim Carrey — followed by a poignant tribute by Chris Cornell’s eldest daughter, Lily — Soundgarden and their guests proceeded to\u00a0put on a powerful display of rock fury.<\/p>\n Taylor Momsen, frontwoman of the Pretty Reckless,\u00a0provided\u00a0vocals for the emphatic opening song “Rusty Cage.” The singer has performed with Soundgarden\u2019s surviving members in the past, most memorably appearing with them at the Taylor Hawkins<\/a> tribute concert in 2022.<\/p>\n READ MORE: <\/strong>2025 Rock Hall Inductees: Best, Worst and Most Underrated Songs<\/a><\/p>\n Brandi Carlile \u2013 who performed at the 2019 Cornell tribute concert — took over for the next song, delivering an emotional rendition of the\u00a01994 classic “Black Hole Sun.”<\/p>\n A pair of fellow grunge veterans joined\u00a0Soundgarden throughout the performance: Pearl Jam<\/a> guitarist Mike McCready and Alice in Chains<\/a> rocker Jerry Cantrell<\/a>. With Soundgarden now in the Hall, Alice in Chains remains the final act on grunge\u2019s Mt. Rushmore that has yet to be inducted (Nirvana<\/a> and Pearl Jam<\/a> were inducted in 2014 and 2017, respectively).<\/p>\n After the surviving members of Soundgarden each gave an acceptance speech, Carrey returned to introduce Cornell’s younger daughter, Toni. Accompanied by Heart’s Nancy Wilson on acoustic guitar, the 21-year-old singer delivered a heart-wrenching rendition of the band’s 1994 single “Fell on Black Days.”<\/p>\n Toni has previously recorded material written by her father. She also released a cover of Prince<\/a>‘s “Nothing Compares 2 U” (made famous by Sinead O’Connor) in 2018.<\/p>\n With Cantrell, McCready, Wilson and Carlile (a Seattle native) taking part on the performance, Soundgarden’s hometown was well represented. Prior to the Hall ceremony, Thayil spoke about the importance of making Seattle a central part of Soundgarden\u2019s night.<\/p>\n READ MORE: <\/strong>Soundgarden Albums Ranked Worst to Best<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cTo have our peers, friends and creative collaborators from [Seattle] share that with us is very important,\u201d Thayil said<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s very important because it\u2019s part of our identity. We\u2019re not simply \u2018rock guys\u2019 in this band Soundgarden. We\u2019re rock guys in this band Soundgarden that helped establish the Seattle scene and the sound. The geography is very important to our identity. It\u2019s where we are, it\u2019s where we came from. It\u2019s who we are.\u201d<\/p>\n While the absence of Cornell was palpable during the evening, Soundgarden were happy to celebrate their late frontman. The group has also maintained that a final album<\/a> made up of unreleased material recorded with Cornell is forthcoming.<\/p>\n Bad Company, Joe Cocker, Warren Zevon and Soundgarden are among the stars honored at this year’s ceremony<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Matthew Wilkening<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNancy Wilson and Toni Cornell Deliver Poignant ‘Fell on Black Days’<\/h3>\n
Soundgarden Brings Seattle to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Performance<\/h3>\n
2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Photo Gallery<\/h2>\n