Temple of the Dog formed in Seattle in 1990 as Chris Cornell's tribute to the late Andrew Wood of Mother Love Bone, with future Pearl Jam members and a young Eddie Vedder on the Hunger Strike duet. One self-titled 1991 album is the whole story — and it's essential grunge-era listening. Find Temple of the Dog vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
Temple of the Dog formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. Chris Cornell of Soundgarden conceived the project as a musical tribute to his friend and former roommate Andrew Wood, the singer of Malfunkshun and Mother Love Bone, who died of a heroin overdose in March 1990. The lineup brought together Cornell with Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament, Mike McCready, and drummer Matt Cameron - musicians who would form Pearl Jam and continue with Soundgarden. Eddie Vedder, newly arrived in Seattle, contributed vocals, most notably the duet on Hunger Strike.
The band's music sits within grunge and alternative rock, blending Cornell's powerful vocals with the guitar-driven sound that defined the early-1990s Seattle scene. The material is often more classic-rock and soul-inflected than the heavier work of the members' main bands.
The self-titled album was reissued in 2016 as a 25th anniversary edition with bonus material and demos, available in expanded vinyl and CD formats. Original 1991 A&M pressings are collectible given the album's later rise in profile.
With a single studio album, listeners new to Temple of the Dog start with Temple of the Dog (1991) and its signature track Hunger Strike. For related listening, see and .
