Pearl Jam
Biography
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. The band's lineup consists of founding members Jeff Ament (bass guitar), Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar), Mike McCready (lead guitar), and Eddie Vedder (lead vocals, guitar), as well as Matt Cameron (drums), who joined in 1998. Considered one of the most influential bands of the grunge movement in the early 1990s, Pearl Jam has sold over 85 million albums worldwide.
Formation and Early Years
Following the demise of their previous band, Mother Love Bone, due to the death of lead singer Andrew Wood, Gossard and Ament began writing new music. They were joined by McCready, and the trio recorded a demo tape. The tape found its way to a San Diego gas station attendant and aspiring singer, Eddie Vedder, who wrote lyrics and recorded vocals for three of the songs. After hearing Vedder's work, the band invited him to Seattle to audition, and he was quickly hired. With the addition of drummer Dave Krusen, the band was initially known as Mookie Blaylock, after the basketball player, before signing to Epic Records and changing their name to Pearl Jam.
Breakthrough with "Ten"
Pearl Jam released their debut album, "Ten," in August 1991. The album, which dealt with dark subjects like depression, suicide, and loneliness, was slow to sell at first but became a massive commercial success by the latter half of 1992, eventually being certified 13x Platinum. "Ten" featured the hit singles "Alive," "Even Flow," and "Jeremy," the latter of which was inspired by the true story of a high school student who shot himself in front of his classmates. The success of "Ten" established Pearl Jam as a key band in the Seattle grunge scene, alongside Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains.
Continued Success and Evolution
The band's second album, "Vs.," released in 1993, set a record at the time for most copies sold in its first week. Their third album, "Vitalogy" (1994), also became a multi-platinum success. Throughout the 1990s, Pearl Jam became known for their resistance to mainstream music industry practices, including refusing to make music videos and engaging in a high-profile boycott of Ticketmaster over what they deemed to be excessive service charges on concert tickets. This led to a Department of Justice investigation into Ticketmaster's practices.
Later Career
Pearl Jam has continued to release a string of successful albums, including "No Code" (1996), "Yield" (1998), "Binaural" (2000), and "Riot Act" (2002). In 2006, the band established the Vitalogy Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports various causes, including the environment, community health, and social justice. Their later albums include "Backspacer" (2009), "Lightning Bolt" (2013), "Gigaton" (2020), and "Dark Matter" (2024). In 2017, Pearl Jam was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Musical Style and Legacy
Pearl Jam's sound combines elements of hard rock, grunge, and alternative rock. The band is known for Eddie Vedder's powerful and emotional vocals and introspective lyrics that often address social and political issues. Their influences include classic rock acts like Neil Young and The Who. Pearl Jam is renowned for their energetic live performances and have released numerous official live bootlegs. They are considered one of the most enduring and influential rock bands to emerge from the 1990s.
Activism
Beyond their music, Pearl Jam is recognized for its extensive social and political activism. The band has been a vocal supporter of various causes, including environmental protection, women's rights, and voting initiatives. They have actively worked to offset their carbon emissions from touring since 2003 and have supported organizations like the ACLU and Amnesty International. Their public stances have included advocating for human rights and protesting against corporate greed.