Temple of the Dog

Temple of the Dog
Early promo shot of Temple of the Dog
Background information
Origin	Seattle, Washington, United States
Genres	Grunge, alternative rock
Years active	1990–1992, 2016 (One-off reunions: 2003, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016)
Labels	A&M
Associated acts	Mother Love Bone, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Green River, Bad Radio, Skin Yard
Website	Official website
Members	Jeff Ament Matt Cameron Chris Cornell Stone Gossard Mike McCready

Temple of the Dog is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. It was conceived by vocalist Chris Cornell of Soundgarden as a tribute to his friend, the late Andrew Wood, lead singer of the bands Malfunkshun and Mother Love Bone. The line-up includes Stone Gossard on rhythm guitar, Jeff Ament on bass guitar (both ex-members of Mother Love Bone), Mike McCready on lead guitar, and Matt Cameron on drums. Eddie Vedder appeared as a guest to provide some lead and backing vocals.

The band released its only album, the self-titled Temple of the Dog, in April 1991 through A&M Records. The recording sessions took place in November and December 1990 at London Bridge Studios, in Seattle, Washington with producer Rakesh "Rick" Parashar. Although earning praise from music critics at the time of its release, the album was not widely recognized until 1992, when Vedder, Ament, Gossard, and McCready had their breakthrough with Pearl Jam.

The band toured in 2016 in celebration of the 25th anniversary of their self-titled album.

Temple of the Dog was started by Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, who had been a roommate of Andrew Wood, the lead singer of Malfunkshun and Mother Love Bone. Wood died on March 19, 1990 of a heroin overdose, the day Cornell got back from a tour. As he went on to tour Europe a few days later, he started writing songs in tribute to his late friend. The result was two songs, "Reach Down" and "Say Hello 2 Heaven," which he recorded as soon as he returned home from touring.