When Soundgarden were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the moment carried a weight that went far beyond celebration. It was a reckoning with loss, legacy, and the enduring shadow of Chris Cornell—a voice and presence that still defines the band. For Taylor Momsen, who took part in the induction performance alongside Brandi Carlile, the night was not just historic. It was deeply personal.
Speaking after the ceremony, Momsen described the experience as overwhelming, both emotionally and spiritually. Honoring Cornell on such a stage, surrounded by people who knew him and loved his work, left a lasting impression. She made it clear that the performance wasn’t about stepping into someone else’s shoes, but about respecting the space Cornell still occupies in the band’s story. “That’s not something you take lightly,” she implied—this was tribute, not replacement.
Momsen’s connection to Soundgarden didn’t begin at the Hall of Fame. Since Cornell’s passing in 2017, she has shared the stage with the band multiple times, developing a close bond rooted in mutual trust and musical understanding. Those performances—carefully chosen and emotionally charged—have quietly shown that the chemistry is real, even if the circumstances are complicated.
When asked about Soundgarden’s future, Momsen was careful but honest. There are no official plans for a reunion, tour, or new chapter. Still, she didn’t close the door. On the contrary, she acknowledged that if the band ever asked her to be involved again, she would say yes without hesitation. It wasn’t framed as ambition or expectation—just loyalty and respect.
That openness matters. Soundgarden’s remaining members—Kim Thayil, Ben Shepherd, and Matt Cameron—have repeatedly emphasized that any future steps must feel right emotionally, not just musically. Momsen’s comments align with that mindset. This isn’t about forcing a comeback; it’s about allowing space for possibility.
For now, Soundgarden remains in a state of reverent pause. But moments like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction—and voices like Momsen’s—suggest that the band’s story may not be entirely finished. If there is ever another chapter, it will be written slowly, carefully, and with Cornell’s spirit firmly at its center.
