Soundgarden was announced as a nominee for 2023’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which came after the band’s 2020 induction. Speaking to Billboard, Kim Thayil argued that late frontman Chris Cornell helped Soundgarden develop a mentality, making the band appreciate the nomination more.
After Cornell’s tragic passing, Soundgarden couldn’t decide whether they should continue. The band got together for reunion shows and on-and-off performances but didn’t enter the studio to record new material without the late frontman, as his contribution had helped the band rise and shine. Although Soundgarden now considers a reunion, they know that Cornell’s place is impossible to fill.
There are many other bands with a living legacy despite the passing of their frontman, such as Queen, Grateful Dead, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Soundgarden also proved their legacy is still alive with their first Hall Of Fame nomination, which came three years after Chris Cornell’s death. It’s been six years since the singer’s passing, and their 2023 nomination reminded Kim Thayil they are still relevant in the current music scene.
In his recent interview, Thayil recalled how Chris Cornell helped them appreciate the Rock Hall with his vision years ago. According to the guitarist, the singer told them about his experience of being present at the ceremony when he inducted Heart in 2013. The late singer also told his bandmates that Rock Hall made him realize the importance of fan enthusiasm and how they should focus on this.
Kim Thayil said the following:
“He lived the experience and said the enthusiasm of the fans was eye-opening for him, and understanding how important that was. And Matt seconded it. And I think that’s always been a context in which Soundgarden would understand its work; we always wanted to be the kind of band for our fans that we looked up to and that inspired us.
We wanted to be that kind of band that would make decisions with regard to that community that had supported us or that we had worked to build, and I think we did a great job of that.”
So, Kim Thayil argued that Chris Cornell’s mentality became their guiding light and helped them understand the value of fans’ support. Thayil also admitted that Soundgarden always aspired to be a band that gave importance to their fans’ thoughts. According to what the guitarist said, they did a great job achieving this goal.
The musician had no clue the band would be among the 2023 nominees for the Rock Hall Of Fame, so the news came as a surprise to him. The guitarist now appreciates this second nomination more as it proves fans still love their music, and the band remains relevant in today’s music scene.
