A Night of Emotion and Rock History
In a deeply moving ceremony at the Peacock Theater last Saturday, Hollywood superstar Jim Carrey inducted the iconic grunge band Soundgarden into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The actor-comedian, known for his high-energy roles, delivered a heartfelt speech filled with personal memories, tracing a friendship that began nearly three decades ago.
A Friendship Forged in Music
Carrey took the audience back to a pivotal moment in 1996. During his time hosting Saturday Night Live, he personally insisted that Soundgarden be the musical guest for his episode. He vividly recalled his first powerful encounter with the band, led by the late, great Chris Cornell, alongside members Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron, and Ben Shepherd.
"They launched into the dark, epic beauty of ‘Pretty Noose'," Carrey reminisced. "I stood right in front of them, letting the waves of electricity wash over me, like an audio baptism." He described this as a transformative moment that permanently altered his relationship with music. As a token of their new bond, the band gifted Carrey a Fender Telecaster that Cornell himself had played on, signed by all members—a treasure he holds dear to this day.
Honoring a Legacy and Seattle's Grunge Impact
The induction was rich with tributes to the band's profound influence. Carrey hailed Soundgarden as one of rock's most powerful and influential bands, citing legendary tracks like "Spoonman," "Fell on Black Days," "Black Hole Sun," and the song that started it all for him, "Pretty Noose." He emphasized how the Seattle grunge movement, with Soundgarden at the forefront, revived rock music through bold experimentation and raw artistry.
The emotional weight of the evening was amplified when Chris Cornell's daughters, Lily and Toni, took the stage to honor their father's incredible legacy. The ceremony featured powerful performances by artists including Taylor Momsen and Brandi Carlile, who breathed new life into classics like "Rusty Cage" and "Black Hole Sun." Founding bassist Hiro Yamamoto also returned for this historic moment, sharing poignant reflections.
Jim Carrey perfectly captured the band's impact, stating, "They pushed me under, and when I came up, I was free." The night was more than an induction; it was a celebration of enduring friendship, artistic integrity, and the timeless, electric power of rock and roll. The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee class also included OutKast, Bad Company, The White Stripes, Cyndi Lauper, Chubby Checker, and Joe Cocker.
