Soundgarden has officially been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. Actor Jim Carrey was onstage to deliver the induction speech, while surviving members Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron, Hiro Yamamoto, and Ben Shepherd accepted the honor and shared their own speeches.

The grunge legends first became eligible for nomination back in 2013—25 years after their first release, according to the rules—and received three nominations in total ahead of this year’s enshrinement.

Sadly, the induction comes posthumously for singer Chris Cornell, who passed away in 2017 while touring with Soundgarden.

While Soundgarden’s estimated global sales total (about 30 million albums sold) may seem modest compared to many of the Rock Hall’s inductees, it highlights the band’s brilliance and their multi-generational influence. The grunge label is firmly associated with the group; however, their ability to blend pulse-pounding riffs and grooves with poignant, moody moments and deeply introspective lyrics makes them a clear standout among their peers.

Joining the members of Soundgarden onstage at the Rock Hall were Taylor Momsen (The Pretty Reckless) and Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) for “Rusty Cage,” followed by Brandi Carlile and Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains) for “Black Hole Sun.”

What Jim Carrey Said In Soundgarden’s Induction Speech

The acting legend did not disappoint with an animated speech about his connection to Soundgarden and the band’s remarkable history and contributions to music.

Spank you kindly. Spank you all.

When the biggest rock stars in the world gather to celebrate each other and let loose, things get wild. Don’t forget to schedule your glutathione drips.

Tonight, I have the honor of inducting Soundgarden into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

You may ask, “Why would Soundgarden—the heaviest of rock and roll royalty—want Jim Carrey to induct them into the Hall of Fame? Is there some deep, cosmic connection between us? Or was the Spoonman not available?”

The truth is, I grew up inspired by the hard rock era. Every day, I’d spend hours in front of a floodlight in my basement, playing power chords on a goalie stick.

When the Seattle music scene exploded, it resurrected rock and roll for me. Bands like Mudhoney, Mother Love Bone, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and of course, Nirvana were raw, honest, and reaching for something profound.

Soundgarden wasn’t just part of the movement—they helped start it. Guitarist Kim Thayil, bassist Hiro Yamamoto, and singer/drummer Chris Cornell were experimenting with a fusion of hard rock, punk, metal, and psychedelia that created intricate, powerful soundscapes.

Coupled with Chris’s incredible vocal range, their music could make your heart pound one moment and break the next. When I first heard Soundgarden, I wasn’t just excited—I wanted to put on a flannel shirt and run into the street screaming, “My mother smoked during pregnancy!”

They rose from Seattle bars to worldwide superstardom without fear or compromise. They trusted themselves completely and trusted their fans to come along for the ride wherever it led.

Their fourth studio album, Superunknown, changed everything—featuring incredible songs like “Spoonman,” “Fell on Black Days,” and their magnum opus, “Black Hole Sun.”

That track was the ultimate example of Chris Cornell’s songwriting genius. It felt like he had given us access to an apocalyptic dream he was having. His presence was deeply authentic. When you looked into his eyes, it was like eternity was staring back.

I used to talk to him like this: “Hi, Chris. How you doing? Me? Great; never better. Please look away. Probe no further.”

I met the band in 1996 when I hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time. I insisted that Soundgarden be the musical guest. By then, the lineup included Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron on drums, and Ben Shepherd on bass.

During rehearsal, they launched into the dark epic beauty of “Pretty Noose.” I stood right in front of them, letting waves of electricity wash over me like an audio baptism. They pushed me under; when I came up, I was free.

After the show, they handed me one of my most prized possessions: the Fender Telecaster that Chris played on stage—signed by the whole band. Do we have a picture of that? Oh, it’s behind me. Damn—snuck up on me. Pay no attention to the burn marks on the pick guard; someone backstage was playing with matches.

Later that night, Chris showed up at my hotel room with an acoustic guitar and a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken; we wrote some songs together. Okay; maybe I dreamt that part—but I’ll never forget that night.

I got to hang out with Chris a few times after that. He was always sincere, down-to-earth, thoughtful, and funny.

When the band split in 1997, Chris went on to make amazing music on his own and with Audioslave. Kim, Matt, and Ben continued to blaze their own musical paths. But Soundgarden wasn’t done—they reunited in 2010 and gave us a second act of new music and live shows that were as vital as ever.

Sadly, on a shocking night in 2017, Chris left us. We lost a monumental musical artist and a deeply special soul. But for all time, his voice will continue to light up the ether like a Tesla coil.

Tonight we make sure that Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, Hiro Yamamoto, Matt Cameron, and Ben Shepherd go down as one of the most majestic powerful influential bands ever inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Long live Chris Cornell; long live Soundgarden.

What Soundgarden Said in Their Acceptance Speeches

The members of Soundgarden took turns giving speeches at the conclusion of their performance which was preceded by a speech from Chris Cornell’s daughter Lillian who thanked everyone for their support of her father’s music.

Here’s what Soundgarden said one at a time:

Hiro Yamamoto:

Chris Cornell; we are missing you tonight on this stage. We all love you; we would not be here without you. Somewhere out there Chris; we’re talking to you.

I’ll continue but let’s remember Chris—we wouldn’t be here without him.

To my wife Kate—every moment with you is special. Love to you and great love to my children Joji and Yoshi.

Thanks to my parents whose story as American citizens who were rounded up and placed into prison camps just for being Japanese during World War II affected my life greatly. It echoes strongly today. Let’s not add another story like this to our history; we can do better than this. It’s up to us to take back power and keep dialogue alive—because that’s what we need.

We wouldn’t be here without support from so many people—our family friends everyone who helped us directly or indirectly. To all bands we’ve played with shared stages with their crews everyone involved thank you—and biggest thanks to fans. We’ve heard so many stories about how music we created became your own—that’s greatest recognition of all.

To everyone else out there—especially all you brown kids—let’s rock.

Thank you.

Matt Cameron:

I’d like to thank my wife April our children Raymond Josie Cameron Susan Silver Kelly Curtis Jon Poneman Bruce Pavitt Greg Ginn Chuck Bukowski Herb Alpert Jerry Moss Jimmy Page Al CaFaro Jim Guerno Al Marx Rick Schaffer Scott Casey Jerome Crooks Eric Johnson Stuart Halderman Jack Endino Terry Date Michael Beinhorn Adam Casper Brendan O’Brien Joe Parisi Mark Cunningham Corin Capshaw Jill Berliner Nate Cassino Neil Hunt Pearl Jam Nirvana The Melvins The Wipers Alice In Chains countless bands fellow musicians we had pleasure interacting with in ’80s ’90s.

I accept this honor on behalf of fans our music—and also misfits loners introverts who found comfort solace lyrics music my hero bandmate Chris Cornell. I love you Chris.

Kim Thayil:

I’d like to thank Hall for this recognition in honor our decades-long career. I want thank our fans over 40 years enduring loyalty support. Collectively I’d like thank Sub Pop SST A&M Universal Records thanks Red Light Management Seattle offices Silver Management legal team business management.

Thanks touring crew backline all our recording engineers co-producers Matt took care great list individuals yes—all them too.

I want thank partner Jenni our dog Evie especially want thank immigrant parents encouraging curiosity science arts instilling values also found Hiro another son immigrants well Ben Matt Chris.

Shoutout Scott Sundquist Jason Everman Together built culture encouragement creative risk nurtured curiosity collective spirit If one us ever hesitated share idea Chris would be first say “Let’s just try it out see.”

I miss him I love him love all my Soundgarden brothers.

Ben Shepherd:

Keep it short right Hi Mom.

“Ǧungida barigo mabét.” That’s three-letter word meaning “We’re side by side Let’s go forward There’s lot work do.”

Love you all.