Kim Thayil

Biography

Kim Anand Thayil (born September 4, 1960) is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the Seattle-based rock band Soundgarden, which he co-founded with singer Chris Cornell and bassist Hiro Yamamoto in 1984. Cornell and Thayil remained as the original members of the band until Cornell's death in 2017, and the band's subsequent split in 2018. Thayil was named the 100th greatest guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone in 2010, and the 67th greatest guitarist of all time by SPIN in 2012. Thayil has won two Grammy Awards as a member of Soundgarden.

Known For

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Late Show with David Letterman

This Is Pop

Live from the Artists Den

Punk

Singles

2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Hype!

All Movies (22)

• 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony2025 · as Self
• MoPOP Founders Award 2020 Honoring Alice in Chains2020 · as Self
• The Postal Service Zoom Auditions2020 · as Self
• Soundgarden - Live From The Artists Den2019
• Hype! 20 Years After2017 · as Self
• Unfinished Plan: The Path of Alain Johannes2017 · as Self
• Soundgarden - Live at The Paramount Theatre 19912016
• The Colossus of Destiny: A Melvins Tale2016 · as Self
• Soundgarden: [2014] Lollapalooza Brazil2014 · as Guitars
• I'm Now: The Story of Mudhoney2013
• Alice in Chains: AIC 232013 · as Himself
• Taking Punk to the Masses: From Nowhere to Nevermind2011 · as Self
• Soundgarden - Live At Lollapalooza2010
• TAD: Busted Circuits and Ringing Ears2008
• Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story2005 · as Himself
• VH1 News Special: Grunge2001 · as Self
• Hype!1996
• Singles1992 · as Himself - Soundgarden Guitarist (uncredited)
• Soundgarden: [1992] Pinkpop Festival1992 · as Guitars
• Soundgarden: Motorvision1992
• Soundgarden: Louder Than Live1990
• Soundgarden: Live in Germany 19901990

All TV Shows (5)

• This Is Pop2021 · as Self (archive footage)
• Punk2019 · as Self
• The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon2014 · as Self - Musical Guest
• Live from the Artists Den2009 · as Self
• Late Show with David Letterman1993 · as Self - Musical Guest