The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame remains one of the highest honors in the music industry, marking a major milestone in any artist’s career. While its influence on modern music is often debated, the Hall still stands as a lasting tribute to musical achievements. Among the latest inductees, Soundgarden proudly represents grunge and heavy metal, nearly four decades after the band first made its mark. For guitarist Kim Thayil, this recognition is a monumental moment.
However, the band’s journey to this achievement hasn’t been easy. Following the tragic death of lead singer Chris Cornell in 2017, Soundgarden’s future seemed uncertain for a time. Yet, this recent honor proves the band is pushing forward, a sentiment Thayil believes Cornell would be “happy and proud” of.
As the induction ceremony approaches, Thayil is also reflecting on other bands he feels deserve a spot in the Hall of Fame in the future. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, he shared a long list of groups he admires, including Alice in Chains, Iron Maiden, Sonic Youth, MC5, Pixies, and Motörhead. But there’s one band he believes should be inducted immediately: the New York Dolls.
Thayil explained that the New York Dolls, along with other bands he admires, played a crucial role in shaping both metal and punk music. “They’re all basically proto-metal or proto-punk bands,” Thayil said. He noted how the Dolls’ attitude and style influenced later movements, like the glam rock scene in Los Angeles.
The New York Dolls were pioneers of punk rock in the 1970s, and Thayil’s admiration for them reflects the rock and roll legacy upheld by the Hall of Fame. While Soundgarden brought a different version of grunge to the forefront a decade later, Thayil sees a clear connection between the various bands that shaped the genre’s evolution.
Though it remains uncertain whether Thayil and Soundgarden will play a role in shaping future Hall of Fame inductions, his desire to use the band’s own recognition to spotlight other deserving artists is clear. This effort highlights Soundgarden’s profound impact on rock music, not just through sound, but by advocating for the broader musical legacy they are part of.
Related Topics
