Musiccom Chris Cornell would react to Soundgarden at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, according to Kim Thayil

THE Soundgarden It is seen as an essential band from the 1990s, but in fact they graduated in 1984 and began releasing songs three years later. This means they are eligible to enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Since 2012.

Fans began to lose hope after the band appeared in two previous votes and not being chosen. This made even happier the fact that the Seattle group was finally included this year, alongside White Stripes, Outkast, Chubby Checker, Bad Company, Joe Cocker, Salt-N-Pepa, Warren Zevon and Cyndi Lauper.

Soundgarden guitarist, Kim Thayilspoke to Rolling Stonefrom your home in Seattle:

“I don’t know if I had given up on it. It was just not something that was on my radar as a goal. So I didn’t allow myself to be so disappointed, because anything that came from it would just be exciting and a bonus.”

Rolling Stone talked to Thayil about this unexpected honor, his expectations for the ceremony, the possibility that surviving members – Thayil, the drummer Matt Cameron and the bassist Ben Shepherd – Present with guests in place of Chris Cornellwho died in 2017, and on the status of the long -awaited band album with the singer, who was in prison for years.

Rolling Stone: What does this introduction mean to you?
Kim Thayil: I’m still trying to sue. But the people who worked by our side all these years reacted with ear smiles. And that gave me a context to evaluate this introduction in ways I had only understood intellectually, based on what people told me: “That’s why this is important.”

A friend, a colleague or, more specifically, Chris Cornell, went to a ceremony and then told me how he perceived the enthusiasm of the public or colleagues. He said that it changed everything – see how important it was for fans to feel validated. Someone they admired, whom they believed and who played them for so many years, now being recognized. And in a way, this is a statement of their judgment, their taste and fandom.

Chris’s words marked me. And then I started listening to the same thing as other colleagues and friends. I started to think, “This makes sense, and that’s how I can face and value it.”

This is important to the people of our team, the label, the management team. You didn’t do it with only three or four guys. He did this with dozens of people who were part of the same team, the same orbit, and who were committed to the same goal of doing this work together.

RS: It’s a very different class this year with you, Chubby Checker, Bad Company, Cyndi Lauper, Joe Cocker, Outkast, Salt-N-Pepa, The White Stripes.
KT: Yes. I think we were well positioned between Bad Company and White Stripes. You can draw a cool line from one to the other.

RS: I bet you never imagined you would be honored next to Chubby Checker.
KT: No. This is very crazy. “The Twist” It was certainly part of the soundtrack of my childhood. You can put this song there with the Beatles. She was everywhere.

RS: Do you think you will present yourself that night?
KT: I think so, if you want we play. It seems that this invitation is open. It is up to Hall to decide how to set up the program, but we would love to play there. We have not yet discussed this so much, but you can imagine that among the people with whom Matt, Ben and I played in recent years – returning to the show tribute to Chris Cornell in 2019 – there are some names that, head, would be the first to those who would call.

RS: Shaina Shepherd did very well with you a few months ago.
KT: Yes, great – and it’s here in the region. I think everyone with whom we play is extremely talented. We trust their ability, we have affection for the love they demonstrate for our work – and we for theirs. The best I can say is: look at those who have collaborated with us in the last five years, and think about what Nirvana He did when he was included in the hall – they had three or four different vocalists performing with them. I think it will be something in this style. We didn’t have a chance to talk right about it, because Matt is on tour with the Pearl Jam. Sometimes a name by message arises: “You should call this person”. But let’s solve. You can imagine where we are inclined, right?

RS: How do you think Chris would feel with this achievement?
KT: I think he would be very proud and happy. And I say that because it was he who gave us this understanding after he made the induction speech Heart. He left that experience with another view of the event and recognition – and shared it with us. We had some conversations about it. He understood better than we expect and how to prepare. So I believe he would be very happy and very proud.

RS: Neil Peart (Rush) said for years that it was no big deal. But when he took the stage that night, he admitted yes, it was a big deal. He only understood when he was there.
KT: I will share this feeling. For decades, I think I thought the same way. It was not something in our radar. It was not part where we came from or where we thought we were going, so it really wasn’t a consideration.

RS: Right. Then, suddenly, you realize that you are entering the same club as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Buddy Holly.
KT: Wow. No, realistically, I don’t think I would see me in the same club as the Beatles or the Stones or Zeppelinbecause … Wow, they were already at another level when I was about five years old.

RS: But you are a link in the same chain. Today, when young people learn guitar, they can study parts of Jimmy Page and parts of Kim Thayil the same day.
KT: Now you are making everything more intense. It’s something I haven’t dived deeply emotionally, because I still see a distinction between what we did – or were doing – and what formed the type of person and musician I am. I have a great reverence for these cultural and artistic elements that shaped me. And maybe I need to evaluate this better and understand that there are people out there who can see what we did – or what our colleagues did – just as I saw what Pink Floydyou Ramones or the Beatles did for us.

RS: It usually has a jam session with all the artists in the late night. Can you imagine a scenario where you would play with Jack White, the Bad Company people or whoever is there?
KT: With you, yes. Maybe it’s a little harder to imagine a jam with Cyndi Lauper. But I think it can work. She is a singer strong enough to stand out in any context she is in.

RS: Many Joy Division fans were upset that it wasn’t their year. But their year will arrive.
KT: I’m a big fan of Joy Division. And yes, I’m disappointed, but that’s exactly that, their year will arrive. The fact that they are indicated is already a recognition of the impact and influence they have had in so many bands that have entered there in recent years, and in many bands that will enter the future. Joy Division is unique and distinct in its style and sound, being a specific influence for many other artists and composers.

RS: Have you been thinking of other artists you would like to see entering the hall of fame? I would love to see the New York Dolls, Replacements, Pixies, Sonic Youth, The Smiths, Motörhead and Iron Maiden.
KT: You almost mentioned all the names I would think. I did an interview last week, and the first thing I said was Alice in Chainsand soon after, Iron Maiden. The third thing I said was Sonic Youth. And yes, the next was the New York Dolls. That’s because, when Stooges were included, I thought: “Why the Stooges are entering before MC5? And the MC5 were the oldest brothers in that scene. Although not Detroit, I always put the New York Dolls next to them, because they recorded at the same time. They are basically proto-metal/proto-punk bands. Both influenced metal and punk. And the attitude and style of the New York Dolls influenced Los Angeles’ glam a decade and a half later, which is ironic, probably more ironic than Brooklyn Dodgers changing to there and the Pixies100% accordingly. MotörheadI would say, 200% accordingly.

RS: The fact that King Crimson is not in Hall of Fame also makes me crazy.
KT: Oh my God. King Crimson Isn’t it there?

RS: No.
KT: What? ROBERT FRIPP? And then Adrian Belew? What?

RS: Changing the subject, are you working on something new at the moment?
KT: I’m going from time to time for the studio to have some ideas. I always make a point of keeping up to date with demos. And as always, people ask me to touch their album, and my first answer is usually no. Then my next answer is: “I like this song and I like your work. Yes, I will do that”. This does not mean that I do not like the work or material of the people I refuse. I just start with the idea that I want to focus on the things I’m doing and not what others are doing. But sometimes something appears on your table and you think: “Wow, I have a while. I’ll do that. I like it.”

RS: Many fans are fascinated by the Soundgarden album that Chris was working with you when he passed away. Do you think this will be released?
KT: I think so. Our goal has always been to finish that. I probably have enough OCD not to want to leave something unfinished or incomplete like that, so I think the more we can pay attention to our body and our catalog … I think everyone in the band feels the same. I don’t just want to pay attention to my work, but to collective work, and in this case specifically, to Chris’s work. I am proud of what I did and I want to see this to be released. It does not exist in a vacuum. There is as a collaboration with Matt, Ben and Chris, but assumes a totally different weight when you think of what you are honoring and the work you are paying tribute. It’s us collectively. We want to do this with pride. And this part of us is certainly one of the most intimate components than Soundgarden has been since 1984.

RS: It would be a great gift for fans to finally release this.
KT: It would be a great gift for fans. And I really think about it, and I don’t know how strange it sounds, but I feel it is also a gift for Chris.

+++ Read more: Eddie Vedder’s reflections on the loss of friend Chris Cornell
+++ Read more: as Soundgarden inspired absolute classic Metallica
+++ Read more: what makes rock bands from the 80s and 90s being special, according to Matt Cameron