Kim Anand Thayil (born September 4, 1960) is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the Seattle-based rock band Soundgarden, which he co-founded with singer Chris Cornell and bassist Hiro Yamamoto in 1984. Cornell and Thayil remained as the original members of the band until Cornell's death in 2017, and the band's subsequent split in 2018. Thayil was named the 100th greatest guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone in 2010, and the 67th greatest guitarist of all time by SPIN in 2012. Thayil has won two Grammy Awards as a member of Soundgarden.

KNOWN FOR

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2014
Late Show with David Letterman
2012
Live from the Artists Den
2013
This Is Pop
2021
Singles
1992
Punk
2019
2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
2025
VH1 News Special: Grunge
2001
MoPOP Founders Award 2020 Honoring Alice in Chains
2020
Taking Punk to the Masses: From Nowhere to Nevermind
2011
Hype!
1996
I'm Now: The Story of Mudhoney
2013

FILMOGRAPHY

All
Movies
TV
Acting
27
2025
2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
as Self
2021
This Is Pop
as Self (archive footage)
2020
MoPOP Founders Award 2020 Honoring Alice in Chains
as Self
2019
Soundgarden - Live From The Artists Den
2019
Punk
as Self
2017
Unfinished Plan: The Path of Alain Johannes
as Self
2017
Hype! 20 Years After
as Self
2016
Soundgarden - Live at The Paramount Theatre 1991
2016
The Colossus of Destiny: A Melvins Tale
as Self
2014
Soundgarden: [2014] Lollapalooza Brazil
as Guitars
2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
as Self - Musical Guest
2013
I'm Now: The Story of Mudhoney
2013
Alice in Chains: AIC 23
as Himself
2013
Live from the Artists Den
as Self
2012
Late Show with David Letterman
as Self - Musical Guest
2011
Taking Punk to the Masses: From Nowhere to Nevermind
as Self
2010
Soundgarden - Live At Lollapalooza
2008
TAD: Busted Circuits and Ringing Ears
2005
Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story
as Himself
2001
VH1 News Special: Grunge
as Self
1996
Hype!
1992
Soundgarden: Motorvision
1992
Soundgarden: [1992] Pinkpop Festival
as Guitars
1992
Singles
as Himself - Soundgarden Guitarist (uncredited)
1990
Soundgarden: Louder Than Live
1990
Soundgarden: Live in Germany 1990
Hard Rock Calling: Soundgarden Live at Hyde Park