History of Soundgarden in Timeline

Soundgarden was a prominent American rock band formed in Seattle in 1984, known for their role in the grunge music movement. Founded by Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, and Hiro Yamamoto, the band underwent lineup changes, with Matt Cameron eventually taking over on drums and Ben Shepherd on bass. They achieved significant commercial success with albums like 'Badmotorfinger' and 'Superunknown' before disbanding in 1997. Soundgarden reunited in 2010 but disbanded again after Chris Cornell's death in 2017. Surviving members have occasionally collaborated, including a tribute concert for Cornell in 2019 and a 2024 benefit concert as Nudedragons.

1985: Pre-Matt Cameron demo "The Storm"

In 1985, Soundgarden recorded a demo of the song "The Storm", which was produced by Jack Endino. A newly recorded rendition of the song was released in 2014 and titled "Storm".

Loading Video...

April 2011: Summer tour announcement

In April 2011, Soundgarden announced a summer tour consisting of 16 dates across the US with various opening acts.

March 2012: "Live to Rise" included on The Avengers soundtrack

In March 2012, Soundgarden announced that their new song "Live to Rise" would be included on the soundtrack of the movie The Avengers. Also in March it was announced that Soundgarden would headline the Friday night of the Hard Rock Calling Festival the following July in London, England.

Loading Video...

November 13, 2012: King Animal album release

On November 13, 2012, Soundgarden released their album King Animal.

November 15, 2013: Matt Cameron not touring with Soundgarden in 2014

On November 15, 2013, drummer Matt Cameron announced he would not be touring with Soundgarden in 2014, due to prior commitments promoting Pearl Jam's album Lightning Bolt.

2013: "By Crooked Steps" music video release

In early 2013, Soundgarden released a video for "By Crooked Steps", directed by Dave Grohl. "Halfway There" was the third single released from the album.

Loading Video...

March 16, 2014: Soundgarden and Nine Inch Nails announce tour

On March 16, 2014, Soundgarden and Nine Inch Nails announced they were going to tour North America together, along with opening act Death Grips.

March 27, 2014: Matt Chamberlain fills in for Matt Cameron

On March 27, 2014, former Pearl Jam drummer Matt Chamberlain filled in for Matt Cameron for live shows in South America and Europe.

October 28, 2014: Echo of Miles compilation announcement

On October 28, 2014, Soundgarden announced the release of the 3-CD compilation box set, Echo of Miles: Scattered Tracks Across the Path, on November 24. The set includes rarities, live tracks, and unreleased material spanning the group's history.

August 2015: Soundgarden states working on a new album

In August 2015, Cornell stated that Soundgarden were working on material for a new album.

January 19, 2016: Soundgarden returns to the studio

On January 19, 2016, it was announced that Soundgarden had returned to the studio to continue working on their new album.

July 14, 2016: Soundgarden writes new tunes for upcoming album

On July 14, 2016, bassist Ben Shepherd and Cameron stated that Soundgarden had written "six solid tunes" for the new album, with more writing to be done in August.

May 18, 2017: Chris Cornell found dead

On May 18, 2017, Chris Cornell was found dead in his room at the MGM Grand hotel and casino in Detroit, Michigan, after performing at the Fox Theatre with Soundgarden. The cause of death was determined as suicide by hanging.

September 2017: Matt Cameron talks about the future of Soundgarden

In September 2017, drummer Matt Cameron told Billboard that he and the other surviving members of Soundgarden had yet to make a decision about the future of the band following Cornell's death. He was quoted as saying, "I don't think we're ready to say anything other than ... Kim and Ben and I are certainly aware of how much our fans are hurting, and we're certainly hurting right there along with them.

2017: Soundgarden cancels the rest of the 2017 tour

Following Cornell's death, Soundgarden canceled the rest of their 2017 tour, including headlining performances at Rock on the Range and Rocklahoma later that month.

September 2018: Kim Thayil unsure about Soundgarden's future

In September 2018, guitarist Kim Thayil told Billboard that he and the other surviving members of Soundgarden were still unsure about the future of the band.

October 2018: Kim Thayil states the Soundgarden band name will be retired

In an October 2018 interview with Seattle Times, Kim Thayil stated that the Soundgarden band name would be retired.

January 2019: Tribute concert and fundraiser for Chris Cornell

In January 2019, the remaining members of Soundgarden reunited in a tribute concert and fundraiser at The Forum in Inglewood, California, organized by Cornell's widow, Vicky Cornell.

July 2019: Soundgarden tries to release album they were working on with Cornell

In July 2019, Thayil said in an interview with Music Radar that the surviving members of Soundgarden are trying to finish and release the album they were working on with Cornell. However, the master files of Cornell's vocal recordings are currently being withheld, and when Thayil sought permission to use these files, he was denied.

December 2019: Vicky Cornell sues Soundgarden

In December 2019, Chris Cornell's widow, Vicky Cornell, sued the surviving members of Soundgarden over seven unreleased recordings Cornell made before his death in 2017, claiming they have "shamelessly conspired to wrongfully withhold hundreds of thousands of dollars.

February 2020: Soundgarden demands Vicky to hand over the unreleased recordings

In February 2020, Thayil, Cameron and Shepherd demanded Vicky to hand over the unreleased recordings, claiming that they worked jointly on these final tracks with Chris and that Vicky has no right to withhold from them what they call the "final Soundgarden album."

March 2020: Soundgarden asks court to dismiss the lawsuit

In March 2020, Soundgarden asked court to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Vicky Cornell.

May 2020: Soundgarden countersues Vicky

In May 2020, Soundgarden countersued Vicky Cornell claiming that she engaged in "fraudulent inducement" by allegedly attempting to use the revenue from the January 2019 "I Am the Highway: A Tribute to Chris Cornell" concert for "personal purposes for herself and her family".

July 2020: Soundgarden dropped benefit concert lawsuit

In July 2020, Soundgarden dropped the benefit concert lawsuit against Vicky Cornell.

August 10, 2020: Hipgnosis Songs Fund acquires Chris Cornell's catalog

On August 10, 2020, Nile Rodgers and Merck Mercuriadis' company Hipgnosis Songs Fund acquired 100% of Chris Cornell's catalog of song rights (241 songs), including Soundgarden's catalog.

December 1, 2020: Soundgarden performs at MoPOP Founders Award tribute to Alice in Chains

On December 1, 2020, Thayil, Shepherd and Cameron performed as "members of Soundgarden" alongside Tad Doyle of Tad, Mike McCready and Meagan Grandallat at MoPOP Founders Award tribute to Alice in Chains.

February 2021: Vicky Cornell files another lawsuit against Soundgarden

In February 2021, Vicky Cornell filed another lawsuit claiming that the remaining members of Soundgarden had undervalued her share of the band, offering her "the villainously low figure of less than $300,000."

March 19, 2021: Federal judge recommends dismissal of claims

On March 19, 2021, a federal judge recommended that claims the surviving band members improperly withheld "hundreds of thousands of dollars" and that the band's manager breached his duty to look after Vicky's interests be dismissed, citing lack of evidence of the band withholding royalties.

March 25, 2021: Soundgarden demands passwords for social media

On March 25, 2021, Soundgarden demanded the passwords for their social media and website.

June 15, 2021: Soundgarden gets website and social media accounts back

On June 15, 2021, Soundgarden got their website and social media accounts back in a temporary agreement with Vicky.

April 17, 2023: Final recordings with Cornell will be released

On April 17, 2023, it was officially revealed that seven final recordings with Cornell would be released after the dispute between the members and Vicky Cornell had ended.

December 14, 2024: Soundgarden members perform as Nudedragons

On December 14, 2024, the surviving members of Soundgarden, along with vocalist Shaina Shepherd, performed together under the moniker Nudedragons for a benefit show in Seattle for the Seattle Children's Hospital.