MEMBERS:
Chris Cornell – guitar, vocals
Kim Thayil – lead guitar
Matt Cameron – drums
Ben Shepherd – bass

WHERE FROM:
Seattle, Washington

WHERE NOW:
On April 9, 1997, Soundgarden announced, “After twelve years, the members of Soundgarden have amicably and mutually decided to disband to pursue other interests.”

DATE FORMED:
1984

HOW FORMED:
By 1984, Cornell’s band, the Shemps, were history. Cornell, looking to get away from a flaky roommate, had moved in with Hiro Yamamoto. “I was a drummer, and he was a bass player,” says Cornell, “so it was sort of like the law that we had to start a band.” After jamming with a number of guitarists, the two invited Thayil into the fold. They chose the name Soundgarden after a pipe sculpture in Seattle’s Magnuson Park and began playing gigs.

In 1987, Cameron was added on drums, and they began recording their first EP, “Screaming Life” for Sub Pop Records. In 1988, Soundgarden released their first full length LP “Ultra Mega OK,” which was nominated for a grammy award. It was followed by 1989’s “Louder Than Love.” After the album’s release, Yamamoto left the band to return to school. In 1990, Ben Shepherd took over as the new bassist.

HIGHLIGHT:
Soundgarden’s success was proven when “Badmotorfinger” went platinum, commemorating the sale of one million copies. In 1994, Soundgarden won a MTV video music award for Best Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Video for “Black Hole Sun.”