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Temple of the Dog

Temple of the Dog was an American rock supergroup formed in Seattle in 1990 as a tribute to Andrew Wood, the late singer of Malfunkshun and Mother Love Bone.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Temple of the Dog was an American rock supergroup formed in Seattle in 1990 as a tribute to Andrew Wood, the late singer of Malfunkshun and Mother Love Bone. The lineup included members of Soundgarden and future members of Pearl Jam, and the group released one self-titled album in 1991.

Formation

Temple of the Dog formed in Seattle in 1990 after Chris Cornell wrote songs in memory of Andrew Wood. Cornell assembled musicians from the Seattle rock scene to record the tribute project.

Members

The core lineup included Chris Cornell, Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament, Mike McCready, and Matt Cameron, with Eddie Vedder providing backing vocals. Several members later became central figures in Pearl Jam.

Only album

The group released its self-titled album in April 1991 on A&M Records. The record later gained greater attention as the members' other bands achieved wider fame.

Legacy

Temple of the Dog is remembered as a landmark Seattle collaboration and an early example of the close ties between Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. Its tribute purpose and later recognition made it an important part of grunge history.

Key facts

  • Temple of the Dog was conceived by Chris Cornell as a tribute to Andrew Wood after Wood's death in 1990.
  • The project brought together musicians from Soundgarden and Mother Love Bone, including future Pearl Jam members.
  • The band released only one studio album, *Temple of the Dog*, in April 1991.
  • The album was released by A&M Records.
  • The group was based in Seattle and is commonly described as a grunge or alternative rock supergroup.
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Canadian context

Temple of the Dog is relevant to Canadian readers because the album later gained wider commercial success in Canada and remains part of the broader North American grunge canon.

Frequently asked questions

What was Temple of the Dog?
Temple of the Dog was an American rock supergroup formed in Seattle in 1990 to honour Andrew Wood.
Who was Andrew Wood?
Andrew Wood was the singer of Malfunkshun and Mother Love Bone, and the subject of the tribute project.
Who were the members of Temple of the Dog?
The lineup included Chris Cornell, Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament, Mike McCready, Matt Cameron, and Eddie Vedder.
How many albums did Temple of the Dog release?
The group released one studio album, the self-titled *Temple of the Dog*.
When was the album released?
The album was released in April 1991.
Why is the band historically notable?
It connected members of Soundgarden, Mother Love Bone, and Pearl Jam in one of the best-known Seattle grunge collaborations.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_the_Dog
    Supports: Formation, origin, genre, years active, lineup, and release of the self-titled album.
  2. Temple of the Dog Official Website — https://templeofthedog.com/
    Supports: Tribute origin, April 16, 1991 album release date, and project background.
  3. Chris Cornell — https://chriscornell.com/history/temple-of-the-dog/
    Supports: Cornell's role in forming the project, the lineup, and the 1991 album release.
  4. Rolling Stone — https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/temple-of-the-dog-an-oral-history-120453/
    Supports: Band's status as a Seattle supergroup, tribute purpose, and later recognition.
  5. Apple Music — https://music.apple.com/kz/artist/temple-of-the-dog/94579
    Supports: Member composition, formation year, genre, and Canadian chart/album success mention.