Soundgarden

Soundgarden was a pioneering American rock band from Seattle, formed in 1984 by Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, and Hiro Yamamoto. Recognized as one of the first bands to shape the grunge movement, they helped bring the Seattle sound to a global audience alongside contemporaries like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Notable for their heavy riffs and powerful vocals, Soundgarden released influential albums such as Badmotorfinger and their chart-topping breakthrough Superunknown, which produced hits like Black Hole Sun and Spoonman. The band's lineup evolved over the years, with Matt Cameron joining on drums in 1986 and Ben Shepherd replacing Hiro Yamamoto on bass in 1990. Soundgarden briefly disbanded in 1997 but reunited in 2010, releasing their final album King Animal in 2012. After Chris Cornell’s death in 2017, the band ceased full-time activity, though surviving members have occasionally reunited for tribute and benefit concerts. By 2019, Soundgarden had sold over 30 million records worldwide, leaving a lasting impact on rock music, and in 2025, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.