Soundgarden Reunite With Taylor Momsen For Seattle Seahawks Halftime Show

Soundgarden’s three surviving members have reunited onstage in their hometown of Seattle, with Taylor Momsen stepping up to front the band during the Seahawks’ season opener.

Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron and Ben Shepherd performed during halftime of the Seattle Seahawks’ game against the New England Patriots at Lumen Field on Wednesday, September 9th (per Sonic Perspectives)

The trio were joined by The Pretty Reckless vocalist Taylor Momsen for performances of Soundgarden classics Outshined and Spoonman, while Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready also joined them onstage.

McCready had already appeared before kickoff, delivering a Jimi Hendrix-influenced rendition of the US national anthem.

A close relationship with Soundgarden

The halftime appearance marks the latest chapter in Momsen’s increasingly close relationship with Soundgarden following the passing of Chris Cornell in 2017.

Last November, Momsen joined Thayil, Cameron and Shepherd during Soundgarden’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, performing Rusty Cage alongside McCready.

That ceremony also saw Brandi Carlile take lead vocals on Black Hole Sun, with Momsen contributing backing vocals, while Cornell’s daughter Toni performed Fell on Black Days alongside Heart guitarist Nancy Wilson.

Soundgarden’s connection with Momsen predates those performances.

Thayil and Cameron both appeared on The Pretty Reckless’ 2021 album Death by Rock and Roll, performing on Only Love Can Save Me Now. The Pretty Reckless had also been supporting Soundgarden on tour in 2017 at the time of Cornell’s death.

Seattle

The Seahawks performance is particularly significant for its setting, Soundgarden formed in Seattle in 1984 and became one of the central bands to emerge from the city’s alternative rock explosion, alongside Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains.

The band’s surviving members have periodically performed Soundgarden material with guest vocalists since Cornell’s death, but have not announced plans for a permanent replacement or a conventional Soundgarden reunion.

For now, the Seattle performance stands as another rare opportunity to see Thayil, Cameron and Shepherd sharing a stage and revisiting the catalogue they built with Cornell.

And once again, Momsen was trusted with the considerable task of standing behind the microphone.