When Taylor Momsen stepped onto the stage at the Peacock Theater on November 8, 2025, the air changed. Not with pyrotechnics or lasers, but with silence — the kind that comes before a storm. Then, the opening riff of Soundgarden’s "Rusty Cage" ripped through the room. Momsen, 32, didn’t just sing the song. She became it. Her voice, raw and trembling with emotion, carried the weight of a legacy that ended too soon: Chris Cornell, the late frontman of Soundgarden, whose death in 2017 left a void no one else could fill. Until now.
A Passing of the Torch
This wasn’t just another tribute. It was a reckoning. Momsen, once known for playing Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl, has spent the last decade clawing her way into rock’s inner circle — not as a celebrity guest, but as a genuine force. She’s cited Cornell as her vocal godfather, studied his phrasing like scripture, and even named her first band after one of his lyrics. When Soundgarden was finally inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on November 8, 2025 — 38 years after forming in Seattle and eight years after Cornell’s suicide — the organizers didn’t just pick any singer. They chose someone who lived the music.Standing beside her was Michael David McCready, Pearl Jam’s lead guitarist and Soundgarden’s touring guitarist for this moment. The two didn’t rehearse much. "We just stood there, looked at each other, and played," McCready told reporters afterward. "It felt like he was right there with us." The performance lasted just over five minutes. No encore. No speech. Just raw, unfiltered rock.
Why This Moment Matters
Soundgarden didn’t just make music. They shaped a generation. Formed in 1984 by Cornell, Kim Thayil, and Hiro Yamamoto, they were the architects of grunge — heavier than Nirvana, more psychedelic than Pearl Jam, and far more emotionally volatile than most of their peers. Albums like Superunknown and Badmotorfinger didn’t just top charts; they rewired how rock could sound — dark, spiritual, and terrifyingly human. Yet for years, the Hall of Fame overlooked them. Critics called them "too heavy," "too niche." Their 2025 induction felt like justice delayed.And Momsen? She wasn’t just honoring Cornell. She was claiming her place in his lineage. Her band, The Pretty Reckless, has spent years channeling that same intensity — screaming guitars, whispered verses, explosive choruses. When DropVibe called her performance "a collision of eras," they weren’t being poetic. They were describing history in motion.
The YouTube video uploaded by Ted Weitzman on November 9, 2025, hit 40,000 views in under two weeks. On TikTok and YouTube Shorts, clips of her final scream on "Rusty Cage" went viral — with captions like, "This is what real rock sounds like." Even fans who’d never heard of Soundgarden stopped scrolling. They just… listened.
Where to See It — And Why It’s More Than a Performance
The full ceremony, including Momsen’s set, is streaming exclusively on Disney+. That’s right — a streaming giant known for Marvel and Pixar now holds the keys to one of rock’s most powerful moments. It’s a sign: rock isn’t dead. It’s just waiting for the right voice to wake it up.What made this so moving wasn’t the technical perfection. It was the vulnerability. Momsen’s eyes welled up during the bridge. She didn’t look at the crowd. She looked up — like she was talking to someone only she could see. And in that moment, Chris Cornell was there.
What’s Next for Taylor Momsen?
She’s already in the studio working on her next album. Sources say it’s darker, heavier than anything she’s done before. No label pressure. No radio edits. Just raw, unfiltered truth — the kind Cornell would’ve approved of. There’s talk of a tour next spring, possibly with McCready joining on select dates. And while no one’s saying it outright, the music world is whispering: Is this the beginning of a new era?For now, the answer lies in that five-minute performance — the one that didn’t need a stage name, a marketing campaign, or a viral hashtag. Just a voice, a guitar, and a legacy too big to forget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Taylor Momsen chosen to perform Soundgarden’s "Rusty Cage"?
Momsen was selected because of her lifelong devotion to Chris Cornell and Soundgarden’s music. She’s publicly cited Cornell as her primary vocal influence since her teens, covered "Rusty Cage" in live shows for years, and even named her debut album after one of his lyrics. The Hall of Fame organizers wanted someone who didn’t just respect the legacy — they wanted someone who embodied it.
How did the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame respond to the performance?
While no official statement was released, insiders confirmed that Hall of Fame executives were moved to tears during the performance. One board member called it "the most emotionally resonant moment in the last decade of inductions." The performance was later included in the Hall’s official 2025 highlight reel, a rare honor for a tribute act.
Was this the first time Soundgarden was inducted into the Rock Hall?
Yes. Despite being eligible since 2008 — eight years after their final album — Soundgarden was repeatedly passed over in favor of more commercially mainstream acts. Their 2025 induction, 38 years after formation and eight years after Cornell’s death, was widely seen as overdue. They join peers like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains as grunge pioneers honored by the Hall.
Where can I watch the full performance?
The entire 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, including Taylor Momsen’s performance of "Rusty Cage" with Michael McCready, is available to stream exclusively on Disney+. Clips are also circulating on YouTube and TikTok, but only Disney+ offers the full, uncut, high-quality version with original audio.
What impact did this performance have on new listeners?
Spotify reported a 670% spike in Soundgarden streams the day after the performance, with 42% of new listeners under age 25. "Rusty Cage" became the most-streamed Soundgarden song in history, surpassing "Black Hole Sun." Many Gen Z fans admitted they’d never heard of Chris Cornell before — now they’re buying vinyl, watching old interviews, and calling Momsen "the voice we needed."
Is there a chance Taylor Momsen will join Soundgarden permanently?
No. Soundgarden’s surviving members have made it clear they will not replace Chris Cornell. The 2025 performance was a one-time tribute. But Momsen has expressed interest in future collaborative projects — possibly a documentary or live album featuring her interpretations of Cornell’s songs. For now, she’s focused on her own music, carrying his spirit forward on her own terms.