Chris Cornell. Photo: Matthew Straubmuller via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
The Feelings Behind The Temple Of The Dog Members
It’s time to turn back the clock and remember the Temple of the Dog members.
Here in this article, we’ll talk about the supergroup as they were making a name for themselves and how they left a memorable mark on the Seattle music scene and even now around the web.
Looking back at their 25th anniversary
The Temple of the Dog members celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2016, bringing a self-titled album with a special reissue and a brief but emotionally charged tour. It served as a heartfelt tribute to their band formation story, as the band began after the death of Andrew Wood, Mother Love Bone’s main vocalist.
However, just months after the anniversary tour, Temple of the Dog’s lead singer Chris Cornell passed away, and this added another layer of weight to this reunion tour.
The influence of other musicians
Next, rewind time before the loss of the Temple of the Dog members.
Cornell and Wood were talented musicians who had a healthy musical rivalry before and after they lived together as roommates. Cornell turned to songwriting after Wood’s death and when his Seattle friends from Soundgarden went on tour. To comfort himself from loneliness, he quickly wrote ‘Say hello 2 heaven’ and ‘Reach down’ as tributes to Wood.
He was surprised at how effortlessly the songs came together and found solace knowing that these would remind fans of Wood’s story and life.
Cornell was a lyricist for Soundgarden. However, believing these songs didn’t fit Soundgarden’s style, he sent demos to Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament, the guitarist and bassist of Mother Love Bone. Cornell wanted to record these as a single, but since everyone involved was impressed and enthusiastic about the work, it turned into an album instead.
In the late ‘90s, after the wave of the Night Ranger band members, Cornell and the others began recording with Soundgarden’s drummer Matt Cameron and guitarist Mike McCready, who was working with Gossard and Ament on Pearl Jam, their new band.
The meaning behind their tribute songs
Cornell felt these songs didn’t suit Soundgarden and it’s not hard to hear why. Compared to their 1989 album, Louder than love, the tracks from the Temple of the Dog members are distinctly more melodic and carry a deeply personal emotional weight.
The album opener, ‘Say hello 2 heaven’, would also showcase lines about loss like ‘I never wanted to write these words down for you with pages of phrases of the things we’ll never do’ or ‘love heals all wounds with time’. Similarly, the song ‘Reach down’ would have lines about remembering, such as ‘Well, I had a dream the other night you were in a bar in the corner on the chair’.
At the end of the day, knowing what the Temple of the Dog members experienced around their 25th anniversary, looking back at their beginnings with other artists and seeing the story behind their songs helps us share in their emotion and appreciate their music more deeply.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How did Temple of the Dog get its name?
Since the band is all about tribute, it’s not surprising to see that the name ‘Temple of the Dog’ comes from a line in Mother Love Bone’s song ‘Man of golden words’. It was incredibly popular, with the record selling over 70,000 copies when it was released back in 1991.
Who were the members of Temple of the Dog?
Just like how fans wonder about The Cowsills members, people also remember the Temple of the Dog members. Over the years, this included Chris Cornell, Stone Gossard, Matt Cameron, Jeff Ament, Mike McCready and Eddie Vedder.
What was interesting about Vedder’s start with the band was that he was simply around for one band rehearsal. However, he ended up being a co-vocalist for the song ‘Hunger strike’.
He would then also help the band with backing vocals on other tracks. Vedder would even use Temple of the Dog’s ‘Times of trouble’ tune as inspiration for Pearl Jam’s ‘Footsteps’. It was ultimately an addition that benefitted both bands and their sound.
What is Temple of the Dog’s legacy in rock music?
The Temple of the Dog members would be appreciated alongside bands like Alice In Chains and even Nirvana. When A&M reissued Temple of the Dog in 1992, MTV found and frequently aired the ‘Hunger strike’ video, propelling the album into the Top 10 and platinum status.
As for the reunions, there were occasional moments before the final tour. Yet even without their live presence, the Temple of the Dog members and fans alike still feel the emotional impact of songs like ‘Say hello 2 heaven’ and ‘Reach down’.
If you’re interested in more music insight like this, consider reading about your favourite artists and even forgotten ‘70s bands and more here at Jukebox Saturday Night.
Beyond the Temple of the Dog band history
Jukebox Saturday Night was founded with a mission to celebrate rock ‘n’ roll and real music before all the auto-tune. Over the years, what started as a modest show has grown into a beloved staple on the air, amassing a fiercely loyal fan base.
Host DJ Ken Sparkes worked as a driving force behind Jukebox Saturday Night. He dedicated his time, resources and heart to ensuring that tracks from the ‘50s to the ‘90s and the best of R’n’R heaven remained in the spotlight.
However, even after his passing, Ken’s legacy continues to thrive. His son and nephew have taken up the mantle, promising to honour Ken’s vision by bringing music legacy to a broader audience, bigger and better than ever before.
Aside from showcasing Temple of the Dog members, Jukebox Saturday Night also highlights other popular performers like the Little River Band members and much more. With never-before-seen music video clips and a closer look at the story behind the songs, come discover more about your favourite artists on Jukebox Saturday Night!
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