Jimmy Page’s opinion on Soundgarden has always stood out as one of the most sincere endorsements the Seattle band ever received from a classic rock legend. Long after grunge reshaped the rock world, the former Led Zeppelin guitarist made it clear that Soundgarden was not just another trend-driven act, but a powerful and authentic band that truly understood what rock music was meant to be.
A Changing Rock Landscape
By the time grunge exploded in the early 1990s, Jimmy Page had already closed the chapter on Led Zeppelin, which ended more than a decade earlier. Rock music had changed dramatically, and Page himself was working on new material, including his collaboration with David Coverdale.
Despite the shift in sound and attitude, Page remained deeply curious about emerging bands. Among them, Soundgarden quickly caught his attention and earned his admiration.
Jimmy Page Praises Soundgarden’s Unity and Power
Page has repeatedly stated that he became a fan of Soundgarden from their very first album. In a heartfelt video message played during a tribute concert for Chris Cornell, Page openly expressed how deeply the band impressed him—not only on record, but also on stage.
He explained that what truly amazed him was how tightly the band played together. For Page, Soundgarden embodied the very essence of what a great rock band should be: musicians connected by instinct, chemistry, and raw power. He described their sound as “glued together,” a compliment that carries enormous weight coming from someone who helped define rock band dynamics in the 1970s.
Witnessing Soundgarden Live
Over the years, Jimmy Page became friends with the band and had the chance to watch them perform live several times. One notable moment came in 2012, when Soundgarden headlined London’s Hyde Park during the Calling Festival. Page was seen watching from the side of the stage, visibly engaged with the performance.
Even earlier, in the early 1990s, Page publicly praised Soundgarden during press events while touring with Robert Plant. At a time when many older rock musicians dismissed grunge, Page embraced it, placing Soundgarden among the most imaginative new bands of the era.
Jimmy Page on Chris Cornell’s Talent
Beyond his admiration for the band, Jimmy Page held enormous respect for Chris Cornell as a vocalist and songwriter. After Cornell’s tragic death in 2017, Page paid tribute by calling him “incredibly talented, incredibly young, and incredibly missed.”
Their mutual respect was evident years earlier when Cornell interviewed Page for Guitar World. During that conversation, Cornell openly thanked Page for helping create a music industry space where artists could succeed without chasing radio hits. He credited Page’s career choices with proving that albums, artistic freedom, and long-form expression could still thrive.
Led Zeppelin Songs and Cornell’s Tributes
Chris Cornell frequently honored Led Zeppelin throughout his career. He re-recorded “Whole Lotta Love” with Carlos Santana for the album Guitar Heaven and often performed Zeppelin classics like “Immigrant Song” and “Thank You” during his solo shows.
Cornell once stated that if Jimmy Page had ever invited him to tour as Led Zeppelin’s singer, he would have seriously considered it. Although the invitation never came, the mutual respect between them remained clear.
Soundgarden’s Legacy Lives On
Soundgarden was active from 1984 to 1997 and reunited from 2010 until Cornell’s passing in 2017. The band has since confirmed that unreleased vocal recordings may still become part of a future album, keeping Cornell’s voice alive for fans worldwide.
Jimmy Page’s opinion on Soundgarden ultimately reflects more than admiration—it shows a deep recognition of artistic truth across generations. When one of rock’s greatest architects praises a grunge band so openly, it confirms Soundgarden’s lasting place in music history.
