List of Soundgarden Band Members - Former Members

Former Members

Hiro Yamamoto

Active: 1984–1989

Instruments: bass

Release contributions: Deep Six (1986), Screaming Life (1987), Fopp (1988), Ultramega OK (1988), Louder Than Love (1989)

Hiro Yamamoto was a member of the original band formed in 1984. In 1989, he left the band following the completion of the Louder Than Love recording sessions. Regarding the sessions, Cornell said, "At the time Hiro had excommunicated himself from the band and there wasn't a free-flowing system as far as music went, so I ended up writing a lot of it." Yamamoto was becoming frustrated that he wasn't contributing much, and opted to go back to college. Cornell stated, "It seems an odd time to quit. We're doing real well. We've got a touring budget now. We don't haul amps or do such long van rides any more."

Scott Sundquist

Active: 1985–1986

Instruments: drums

Release contributions: Deep Six (1986)

Scott Sundquist, who prior to joining the band had been friends with Cornell, was asked to join the band so that Cornell could focus on singing. Sundquist left the band to spend time with his family, and remained on friendly terms with Cornell and Thayil following his departure.

Jason Everman

Active: 1989–1990

Instruments: bass

Release contributions: "Come Together" from Loudest Love (1990), Louder Than Live (1990)

Jason Everman replaced Hiro Yamamoto before the band embarked on its promotional tour for Louder Than Love. Everman was fired immediately after Soundgarden completed the tour in mid-1990. Thayil said that "Jason just didn't work out," and that the band "didn't need to go find someone better than him; we needed to find a kindred spirit that we'd hang out with anyway."