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Soundgarden were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday – with an all-star celebration that included performances by the remaining band members, many Seattle musicians and the daughter of the late Chris Cornell.
Jim Carrey, who hosted a 1996 “Saturday Night Live” episode on which Soundgarden was a guest, gave the eulogy. “Spank you kindly, spank you all,” the actor joked.
“Why would the heaviest of rock bands choose Jim Carrey to introduce them? Is there a cosmic connection – or was the ‘Spoonman’ simply unavailable?”
Jim Carrey recalls his connection to Soundgarden
Carrey said he insisted on having Soundgarden perform on his “SNL” episode – and after the show was given Cornell’s Fender Telecaster, his “most prized possession.” “When the music scene exploded in Seattle, rock & roll was reborn for me,” he said. “The first time I heard Soundgarden, I wanted to put on a flannel shirt and run into the street screaming, ‘My mother smoked while pregnant!'”
Chris Cornell’s daughter Lily Cornell then took the stage: “I’m just incredibly happy that my father was able to make music with his friends,” she said. “That gave him meaning – and all the people who listen to his music. I carry that in my heart tonight.”
Seattle all-stars perform “Rusty Cage” and “Black Hole Sun”
Then followed the “Seattle-centric” set announced by drummer Matt Cameron: On stage were Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains), Brandi Carlile and Taylor Momsen (The Pretty Reckless). Together they played “Rusty Cage” and “Black Hole Sun”.
Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron, Ben Shepherd and Hiro Yamamoto also gave emotional speeches. “Chris Cornell, we miss you so much on this stage tonight,” Yamamoto said. “To hear that our music has become something for so many people is the greatest recognition of all. And to everyone else – especially you brown kids out there: Let’s rock!”
Toni Cornell and Nancy Wilson perform acoustically
Finally, Chris Cornell’s daughter Toni sang an acoustic version of “Fell on Black Days” with Heart’s Nancy Wilson. “It’s surreal and an honor to be able to do this for my father,” Toni said. “I wish he could see this moment. He’s the reason I make music – and to be here to carry his voice forward is incredible.”
She explained that she was inspired by Cornell’s “Songbook” tour, where he performed raw interpretations of songs alone with guitar and cello. “Everyone can relate to this song – ‘I fell on black days’. We’ve all been there. I wanted to express how my father would have performed the song alone.”
“Rock and roll is a lost art”
Nancy Wilson said before the performance: “Rock and roll is almost a lost art. The great hard rock bands we grew up with are hardly around anymore. That’s why I’m happy to see new bands emerging – and honoring the old legends.”
“Chris would have enjoyed this moment,” Cameron added. “He was always looking for the next artistic step – as a songwriter, as a performer. Maybe one day he will be recognized solo or for Temple of the Dog. His contribution to music is simply enormous.”