Taylor Momsen Shares Thoughts on Singing for Foo Fighters

Taylor Momsen has steadily emerged as a familiar presence alongside some of grunge’s most revered names, but she doesn’t see herself as filling any predefined role. In a recent interview with Loudwire, the Pretty Reckless frontwoman addressed the growing perception that she has become a “go-to” collaborator for bands like Foo Fighters and Soundgarden.

Rather than embracing the label, Momsen framed her involvement in far simpler terms—time, experience, and genuine connection.

“I haven’t really thought of it like that, but now that you point it out…I’ve been doing this awhile,” Momsen said. “And you know, I’ve become friends with these guys. I got a call and it’s my friend Pat calling me and friends like to play music with other friends.”

Her comments suggest that what may appear from the outside as a strategic alignment is, in reality, an organic evolution built on trust and shared history within the rock community.

Friendship at the Core of Collaboration

For Momsen, the driving force behind these collaborations is not legacy-building or career positioning—it’s enjoyment. Her perspective cuts through the mythology often surrounding supergroup moments and guest appearances.

“That’s what it’s all about at the end of the day. It’s fun,” she continued. “At the end of the day, playing music with friends is fun, so when they call you up, you go, ‘Hell yeah.’”

That ethos reflects a broader truth about the grunge and alternative rock scenes: their foundations were never purely commercial. Instead, they were built on tight-knit circles of musicians who valued authenticity over spectacle. Momsen’s growing presence within that circle signals not just acceptance, but alignment with those same ideals.

Her collaborations feel less like guest spots and more like extensions of a shared musical language—one rooted in instinct, emotion, and mutual respect.

Carrying Forward a Living Legacy

Momsen’s connection to Soundgarden runs deeper than recent appearances. As reported by Alternative Nation, she toured with the band in 2017, forming close bonds with its members shortly before the death of Chris Cornell. That experience placed her in a unique position—not just as a collaborator, but as someone who witnessed a pivotal moment in the band’s history.

In the years since, she has participated in tribute performances, including a 2019 show where she stepped in on vocals. These moments have demonstrated her ability to honor Cornell’s legacy without attempting to replicate it—a delicate balance that few vocalists can achieve.

Looking ahead, Momsen is set to appear in Soundgarden’s 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame reunion performance. The lineup will feature surviving members alongside Mike McCready, Jerry Cantrell, and Hiro Yamamoto, marking Yamamoto’s first return to the stage with the band in decades.

Yet the significance of this moment extends beyond nostalgia. It underscores a broader shift in how legacy acts continue to evolve—by inviting voices who respect the past while bringing their own identity into the fold. Momsen’s involvement signals that grunge is not frozen in time, but still breathing, adapting, and finding relevance through new generations of artists who genuinely understand its roots.

Rather than simply preserving history, Momsen and her peers are actively reshaping it—proving that the spirit of grunge endures not as a relic, but as a living, collaborative force.