Andrew Hamlin
Southeast Asia Weekly
From left: Chris Cornell, Gentile, Hiroshi Yamamoto and Matt Cameron
He travels the world playing music. The band he helped create exemplified rock’n’roll, and they’ve sold more than 30 million records worldwide.
Still, Soundgarden’s original bassist Hiro Yamamoto admits he wasn’t sure what to think when he was told he’d been named one of 22 new recipients of the Asian Hall of Fame.
“I’m kind of surprised to be nominated,” he commented. “My initial feeling was, why me?”
Still, as he contemplated his induction during an invitation-only ceremony at Seattle’s Skyview Observatory on Nov. 18, his feelings changed.
“I tend to keep a low profile, so I have to say I wasn’t all that enthusiastic in the first place. After getting involved with the people around this great organization, I have to say, it has enriched my life immensely. I have worked with Some amazing talent to work with, and the mission and goals of the Asian Hall of Fame Foundation is one to watch.
“I don’t know if it’s a coincidence, but I believe the Asian American Hall of Fame really made me accept what it means to be an Asian American artist! It’s so much fun, and it’s one of those things that keeps getting better. Like-Minded People Working together for a common goal is definitely a strength!”
Yamamoto grew up as Japanese-American in Park Forest, Illinois, just outside Chicago. He returned to the Pacific Northwest in 1980 to attend Evergreen State University in Olympia. College wasn’t very successful, but he did work for a solar installation company until the federal government canceled the education grant that provided his salary.
He returned to Illinois, but returned West a year later with his good friend, guitarist Kim Thayil, who was born in Seattle to parents from India. They found an inexpensive basement apartment in Seattle’s University District and set out to explore.
“U-Zone, Roosevelt, and North Seattle,” he recalls, “these were the original houses where Soundgarden practiced, close to my work at Greenlake Cycle. I remember the early underground music and art scene around 1981-1983. Metropolis and Homecoming Ground Zero galleries, these are the places to see music, performance art, art and dance. My first band, “The Altered,” played at the Met.
“The venues for all ages have dried up [the scene] Moved into the bar, though. But the whole community of musicians, artists, fans and friends across genres is so connected and supported. There I met my wife and made many connections. “
He pointed out that Park Forest is an early planned community in the United States. The proportion of Asians and Jews in the total population has dropped by about 10%, and houses have not been sold to blacks or Latinos for many years.
“I think kids let you know you’re different. In some cases, certain kids, even a good friend of mine, bring up squinting eyes, brown skin.
“But other than that, I acted like any other kid for the most part, and most of my closest friends were Jewish or Asian anyway. My parents absolutely wanted us to succeed through education. So they also stressed that we Belonging to this country, we should be proud and lead by example.”
The Altered, his first Seattle band, didn’t last long, opening for touring bands with cult reputations such as the Wipers and Violent Femmes. This led to a band called the Shemps, who roamed the Olympic Peninsula with a rock ‘n’ roll style sound.
He met drummer and singer Chris Cornell through an ad in Seattle’s long-running music newspaper The Rocket. Kim Thayil finished school, picked up the guitar, and Soundgarden was born, though Cornell eventually dropped the drums entirely to become one of the most distinctive rock singers of his era.
Yamamoto remained with the band from its formation in 1984 until 1989, when he left, dissatisfied with the label’s handling of the band. He has since formed several other bands with his wife, Kate McDonald, including No Time For Shade. He got a day job as an environmental chemist and worked as a laboratory director for a company in Burlington for several years.
When asked about future projects, he speculated that he would “continue to make music and work on songwriting. I would like to continue assisting the Asian Hall of Fame Foundation. I’m considering doing some volunteering, who knows where this path will take me” to where.”
For more information on the Asian Hall of Fame induction ceremony, please visit asian hall of fame.
can contact andrew info@nwasianweekly.com.
