Kim Thayil

Kim Anand Thayil, born on September 4, 1960, is a renowned American musician, widely recognized for his exceptional skills as the lead guitarist of the esteemed Seattle-based rock band Soundgarden. Founded alongside Chris Cornell, the band's iconic vocalist, and Hiro Yamamoto, the talented bassist, in 1984, Thayil has been an integral part of the group's creative journey. Throughout his tenure with Soundgarden, he shared a lasting bond with Cornell, who remained the band's core member until his untimely passing in 2017. Following Cornell's death, the band went on to disband in 2018. Thayil's impressive guitar work has garnered significant acclaim, with Rolling Stone ranking him as the 100th greatest guitarist of all time in 2010, and SPIN placing him at the 67th spot in 2012. His contributions to Soundgarden have earned him two prestigious Grammy Awards.