It’s not every day a band gets the pleasure of Jim Carrey introducing them for any kind of award, let alone an induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. And as Soundgarden were inducted into the Hall Of Fame last night, Jim Carrey made a heartfelt speech that began the ceremony, explaining how he came to know the late vocalist, Chris Cornell, and Soundgarden. Starting his story with, “Spank you, spank you,” in true Carrey fashion, he continued a little more seriously with (as transcribed by thePRP)
“…When the biggest rock stars in the world get together and gather to celebrate each other and let loose, shit goes 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? Oh, 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 them, or was the Spoonman not available?
Well, the truth is, I grew up with the awe-inspiring bands of the hard rock era. Every day I spent hours in front of my floodlight in the corner of a 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 unfettered, brutally honest and reaching for something profound.
Soundgarden was not only the first band in Seattle movement to sign to a major record label, they sowed the seeds of its inception. Guitarist Kim Thayil, bassist Hiro Yamamoto and singer/drummer Chris Cornell, were experimenting with a sound that no one had heard before. A fusion of hard rock, punk, metal, psychedelia that shaped intricate and astounding sonic landscapes. That coupled with Chris‘ insane vocal range, made your heart pound with excitement one minute and break with sadness the next.
When I heard Soundgarden for the first time, I wasn’t just excited. I wanted to put a flannel shirt on and run into the street screaming, ‘My mother smoked during pregnancy.’ They ascended from gritty bars in Seattle to worldwide superstardom without fear or compromise. They trusted themselves completely and trusted that their fans would come along for the ride, wherever it led. They broke big with their fourth studio album, Superunknown, 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 prolific songwriting. It felt like he had given us an all access pass to some monumental, apocalyptic dream he was having. He had a deeply authentic presence. When you looked into his eyes, it was like eternity was staring back. I used to talk to him like this, [covering eyes periodically] ‘Hi, Chris, how you doing? Me? Great. Never better. Please. Look away. Probe no further.’
I met the band in 1996 when I was hosting Saturday Night Live for the very first time, and I insisted on Soundgarden as the musical guest. By then, the lineup was Chris, 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 the waves of electricity wash over me like an audio baptism. They pushed me under, and when I came up, I was free.
After the show, they handed me what is to this day, one of my most prized possessions: the Fender Telecaster Chris played on the show signed by the whole band. We got a picture of that somewhere? Oh, it’s behind me. Damn! It snuck up. Pay no attention to the burn marks on the pick guard. [Mimicking his In Living Color character Fire Marshall Bill] ‘Someone backstage was playing with matches, ha ha ha ha.’ Later that night, Chris showed up at my hotel room with an acoustic guitar and a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken, and we wrote some songs.
Okay, I may have dreamt that part, but I’ll never forget that night. And I did get to hang with Chris a few times. He was always really sincere, very down to earth, thoughtful and funny. When the band split in ’97 Chris went on to make amazing music on his own and with Audioslave, yeah. Kim, Matt and Ben continued to blaze their own musical paths. But Soundgarden wasn’t done. They reformed in 2010 and gave us a whole second act of new music and live shows that sounded just as vital as ever. Sadly, on a shocking night in 2017 Chris left us.
We lost a very special being, a monumental musical artist and an inspired innovator. 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 Sheppard go down in history as one of the most majestic, powerful and influential bands ever to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, long live Chris Cornell and Long live Soundgarden.”
A history of Soundgarden with clips of Cornell played once Carrey‘s speech was concluded, featuring clips of Alice In Chain‘s Jerry Cantrell and Rage Against The Machine‘s Tom Morello before he was joined by Cornell‘s daughter, Lily, to introduce the musical tribute. The Pretty Reckless‘ Taylor Momsen, Pearl Jam‘s Mike McCready, Alice In Chain‘s Jerry Cantrell, and Brandi Carlile took part in the performances.
You can check out footage from Soundgarden‘s acceptance speech and the musical performances below.
