Soundgarden’s Rock Hall Induction + The Misogyny That Followed
How some fans responded to the all-female vocal lineup representing Chris Cornell during Soundgarden's tribute performances during their induction.
Toni Cornell. Courtesy of Billboard
Soundgarden was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on November 8th, 2025. It was bittersweet, as Soundgarden, alongside friends and family of Chris Cornell, shared the stage to perform moving tributes and killer performances. Fans were proud to see the band finally receive recognition in the Rock Hall, but some were not thrilled about the women chosen to help honor the band. The misogyny that infiltrates these topics is disheartening to say the least
Rock Hall Sub Pop exhibit photographed by meI had the pleasure of going to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame over spring break during my senior year of high school, which was one of the best experiences of my life. As a Seattle grunge scene nerd, who has read books and written papers about the ins and outs of the relationships, inspirations, and legacy of those involved in defining the Seattle sound, I was in heaven.
But, there is this idea that the big grunge musicians are untouchable gods, whose music should never be messed with. But in reality, these were just lower-middle class teens, often struggling through hardships, who enjoyed hanging out and playing music together. Reaching music legend status was never really part of anyone’s plan, it just happened.
So, when Soundgarden got inducted into the Rock Hall recently, musicians such as Jerry Cantrell, Mike McCready, Taylor Momsen, Brandi Carlile, and Toni Cornell came together to honor the band, and their late, endlessly talented, Chris Cornell. While these performances were received well by many, some social media users had some unnecessarily rude thoughts they felt compelled to share. Taylor Momsen was praised for being able to “sing like a man” while simultaneously being ridiculed for singing like a “little pop star b—h” who has “no business singing music like this at all,” during the performance of Black Hole Sun. Other comments reduced Momsen’s career to her portrayal of Cindy Lou Who at age 7, saying that she's an “actress pretending to be a musician.”
Brandi Carlile, who was also featured in the performance, was the subject of similar comments, saying her sound was too pop, with many fans stating that Eddie Vedder should have been chosen rather than any of the women performing. Ironically, Eddie Vedder’s 1993 tribute to The Doors during their Rock Hall induction was considered to be unfitting and awkward at the time.
Toni Cornell’s cover of Fell On Black Days received comments complaining about how she didn't inherit her father’s powerful voice, but a gentle one instead; some negatively comparing her to Billie Eilish (an objectively talented vocalist, which makes for a misaligned insult). One user asked, “Can we have an actual clip of Soundgarden rather than this bulls—t?” Others argued that they should have chosen Cornell’s eldest daughter, Lily.
The topic of the preferred Cornell daughter is also an issue of misogyny. Lily Silver is the daughter of Susan Silver, who is the former manager of Soundgarden, and other bands like Alice in Chains, and Screaming Trees, which is objectively badass, but can sometimes mean she is respected due to her association with successful men, rather than respected for her own success. Toni is the daughter of Vicky Cornell, who is widely disliked by fans for valid reasons, but some fans have used her gross behavior as an excuse to be blatantly misogynistic.
People generally agree that Lily resembles her father more, therefore, she should have been chosen. Despite all these arguments between fans, both daughters were included in the ceremony. It is not a game of who can impersonate Chris Cornell the best, it is an opportunity for his loved ones to come together and honor his legacy.
Taylor Momsen was chosen for this performance due to her close friendship with Chris Cornell. Her band, The Pretty Reckless, was the supporting act for Soundgarden’s final tour. Momsen is believed to be the last person to see or speak to Cornell before he took his life later that night. He was a huge inspiration and a tragic loss for Momsen. She has remained a close friend to the band, and they have developed a working relationship with each other since the death of Cornell.
Brandi Carlile, a Seattle native, and grunge enthusiast, has consistently performed with the band after she quickly stepped up to fill the spot of Axl Rose, who did not show up to Chris Cornell’s Los Angeles tribute in 2019. Carlile has been very close with the band since this performance.
Lack of respect is the biggest theme seen in these comments. It’s a lack of respect, not only for the women in Chris Cornell’s life, but his band mates, and Cornell himself. Reducing these women to simple pop artists and actresses is nothing short of belittling, and blatantly misogynistic. This proves that these people think rock is a boys-only game, and a woman could never do it justice.
My heart aches for the young girls who were and are inspired by these rock bands, but will always be treated differently in the spaces they want to enjoy. I feel so passionately about this issue of misogyny under the rock umbrella, or any music genre for that matter, because I’ve been that young girl being treated differently. The way I was treated in the crowd of an Alice in Chains concert was something I wish I could forget. My memories of that concert barely consist of the music I was there to enjoy, but are mainly memories of men in utter disbelief that I was there, and being made very uncomfortable by the men who enjoyed the fact that I was different from the young girls they knew. If a woman is able to push through the ridicule and discouragement of participating in male-dominated spaces, the “respect” and “acceptance” she receives is due to the fact she does not represent the negative stereotype that men often have in mind. This version of respect is still disrespectful.
The men of the grunge scene were often known to break gender roles and condemn hatred and violence against women, people of color, and the LGBT community. This was a community of people who accepted outcasts and broke the rules, they shared ideas and created art together. These tributes for artists who have passed, are not meant to find the best lookalike or impersonator, it is to celebrate the art they created and showcase their legacy.
