Soundgarden – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts
Soundgarden Biography
Soundgarden was an American rock band founded in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil (both of whom have appeared in every incarnation of the band), and bassist Hiro Yamamoto; drummer Matt Cameron joined the band full-time in 1986, and bassist Ben Shepherd joined the band permanently in 1990. The group broke up in 1997 and reformed in 2010. Following Cornell’s death in 2017 and a year of uncertainty over the band’s future, Thayil announced in October 2018 that Soundgarden had reformed, however they did reconvene in January 2019 for a one-off concert in Cornell’s honor.
The Shemps, a Seattle-based band fronted by bassist Hiro Yamamoto and drummer and singer Chris Cornell, created Soundgarden in the early 1980s. After Yamamoto’s departure, the band hired guitarist Kim Thayil to replace him as bassist. Thayil and Yamamoto, who would later found the independent record label Sub Pop, moved to Seattle from Park Forest, Illinois. Cornell and Yamamoto continued in touch after the Shemps disbanded, and they began jamming together, eventually being joined by Thayil.
Along with Seattle contemporaries Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Nirvana, the band helped popularize grunge music, an alternative rock style that emerged in the American Pacific Northwest in the mid-1980s.They were one of the first grunge bands to sign with Seattle-based record label Sub Pop, releasing an EP in 1987 and 1988. SST Records, a California-based independent label, released Soundgarden’s debut album, Ultramega OK, which received critical praise and was nominated for a Grammy award in 1990, despite not selling well nationwide. Louder Than Love was recorded independently, but it became their major-label debut once they signed with A&M Records in 1989 (making them one of the first grunge bands to sign to a major label). While Ultramega OK failed to chart and Louder Than Love debuted at number 108 on the Billboard 200 album chart, the band’s third album, Badmotorfinger, was certified double-platinum by the RIAA and reached number 39 on the Billboard 200.
Superunknown, released in 1994, was Soundgarden’s most successful album, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 and yielding the Grammy Award-winning songs “Spoonman” and “Black Hole Sun.”On their follow-up album Down on the Upside, which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 in 1996 and yielded several smash songs of its own, including “Burden in My Hand” and “Blow Up the Outside World,” the band experimented with new musical textures. The band disbanded in 1997 owing to internal conflicts over creative direction and tiredness from traveling. They reunited in 2010 after more than a decade of working on projects and with other bands, and Republic Records released King Animal, their sixth and last studio album, two years later.
Between the Buried and Me and the Dillinger Escape Plan were among the metalcore bands influenced by the band. Soundgarden was ranked third on Metal Injection’s list of the 10 Heaviest Grunge Bands in 2017. Soundgarden have sold over 14 million albums in the United States and an estimated 30 million worldwide as of 2019. Soundgarden was ranked 14th in VH1’s special 100 Greatest Hard Rock Artists.
Soundgarden Discography
| King Animal | |
| Down on the Upside | |
| Superunknown | |
| Badmotorfinger | |
| Louder Than Love | |
| Ultramega OK |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Type Of Music Band Was Soundgarden?
Soundgarden was an American rock band. The group’s style drew from a wide range of influences, including hard rock, heavy metal, and punk rock. Soundgarden achieved its greatest success with the release of Superunknown (1994), which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and won two Grammy Awards for the singles “Black Hole Sun” and “Spoonman”. The band’s final album, King Animal (2012), was released after a seven-year hiatus. Soundgarden disbanded in 1997 due to internal strife over its creative direction.
Who Is Lead Singer Of The Music Band Of Soundgarden?
The lead singer of Soundgarden is Chris Cornell. He is also the band’s primary songwriter and lyricist. Cornell was one of the architects of the grunge movement and is considered one of the most influential singers in rock history. He was ranked number four on Rolling Stone’s list of the “100 Greatest Singers of All Time” and number nine on their list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”. Cornell was also a member of Temple of the Dog, an early 1990s supergroup that included members of Pearl Jam. He died in 2017 after committing suicide.
What Was Soundgarden’S Biggest Hit?
Soundgarden’s biggest hit was “Black Hole Sun.” The song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1995. “Black Hole Sun” was released as a single from the band’s fourth studio album, Superunknown (1994).
Who Is The Song Writer Of Soundgarden?
The songwriter of Soundgarden is Chris Cornell. He is also the lead singer and guitarist for the band. Cornell has written many of Soundgarden’s most popular songs, including “Black Hole Sun,” “Rusty Cage,” and “Blow Up the Outside World.” He is considered one of the most important figures in the grunge music scene of the early 1990s.
What Was Soundgarden’S Biggest Album?
Soundgarden’s biggest album was “Superunknown,” which was released in 1994. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified five times platinum by the RIAA. The album featured the singles “Spoonman,” “Black Hole Sun,” and “Fell on Black Days.
Most Searched For Soundgarden Songs
| Black Hole Sun | |
| Nothing To Say | |
| Spoonman | |
| Beyond The Wheel | |
| Fell On Black Days | |
| Burden In My Hand | |
| Rusty Cage | |
| Outshined | |
| Head Down |