Brandi Carlile recently revealed how she came to perform Soundgarden’s iconic “Black Hole Sun” at Chris Cornell’s tribute. She discussed this experience on The Howard Stern Show.
When asked how she was selected to sing the song, Carlile explained the circumstances that led to her last-minute opportunity. Axl Rose was originally scheduled to perform the track, but he failed to appear at the event.
“At Chris Cornell’s tribute in L.A., Axl Rose was supposed to do it,” Carlile said. “And right at the last minute, he didn’t show up. And they were like, ‘Who knows it? Who knows it? Who knows it?’ I’m like, ‘I know it. I’m your girl. Let me do it.'”
Carlile described the experience as transformative. She emphasized her deep connection to the performance.
“So, they put me in at the last minute to do it. And I just was like transformed by it. I loved singing it so much,” she continued.
The singer highlighted her unique approach to interpreting the song. She took advantage of her vocal range to deliver a different rendition than the original.
“I love doing Black Hole Sun because Chris Cornell, who is like one of the great great all-time singers, when he hits that chorus in Black Hole Sun, he goes down in pitch. Like, but my voice because I’m a girl, I can jump the octave. So, I’m going to go up in the chorus and really belt that chorus,” Carlile explained.
Carlile’s impromptu performance at the tribute concert marked the beginning of a meaningful artistic partnership with Soundgarden’s surviving members. She has continued to honor Chris Cornell’s legacy through multiple high-profile performances alongside the band.
Performance recordings from The Forum reveal that Carlile’s rendition at the “I Am The Highway: A Tribute to Chris Cornell” concert on January 16, 2019, was noted for its powerful, vulnerable delivery. The performance captured both the heaviness and haunting beauty of the original. Her rendition was widely praised for its emotional depth and ability to channel the spirit of both Chris Cornell and Soundgarden, establishing her as a respected interpreter of the band’s music.
The collaboration deepened further when Carlile brought Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron, and Ben Shepherd—the surviving members of Soundgarden—onstage during her concert at The Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington, on August 14, 2021. Guitar World reported that this marked the first time the trio had performed live together in their home state since Cornell’s passing. The event became a historic moment for both bands’ devoted fans.
Most recently, footage from the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony captured Carlile performing “Black Hole Sun” with Soundgarden’s surviving members at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on November 8, 2025. The performance featured guest appearances by Jerry Cantrell and Taylor Momsen. This further solidified Soundgarden’s place in rock history and Carlile’s role as a respected peer and interpreter of their music.
Carlile’s willingness to share the stage with both the surviving members and guest artists underscores the communal, inclusive spirit of these tribute moments. Her strategic use of her high register and nuanced phrasing offers a tribute that feels both reverential and fresh. This demonstrates the ongoing relevance of Soundgarden’s music in the hands of a new generation of rock musicians.
