Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell Says Inducting Heart into the Rock Hall Was ‘Eye-Opening’
Story by Anne Erickson
Chris Cornell of Soundgarden says inducting Heart into the Rock Hall changed his view of the institution
Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell had the honor of inducting classic rockers Heart into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, and it’s an experience the singer says changed his entire view of the Rock Hall.
“Inducting Heart into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame was an eye-opening experience,” Cornell said in a recent HBO fan Q&A. “I was certainly honored, but had always had a cynical attitude about an institution like this as it pertains to rock ‘n’ roll in general. The fan support of all the bands inducted and their emotional enthusiasm changed everything for me.”
As for who Cornell would like to induct into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame if he had the chance to do it again, his pick would be singer and songwriter Daniel Johnston.
“He is a songwriter who recorded a lot of music on a boom box and produced records where the budget was ultimately the price of a cassette tape,” Cornell explained. “It occurred to me at one point that I got no less enjoyment out of listening to his records than I did from a Pink Floyd record, for example. That thought spoke to me as an absolute definition of what rock ‘n’ roll is really about.”
In other Soundgarden news, the band is on tour through the end of May. To view their latest round of tour dates, head to the grunge group’s official website.
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