#63 Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam is a classic rock band that formed out of the ashes of the now classic underground band, Mother Love Bone. They broke during the early 90s Alternative Revolution that spawned Nirvana, Alice In Chains, and Soundgarden. Their breakthrough album, Ten, has outsold Nirvana’s Nevermind, and is considered a classic.

Pearl Jam was never really an alternative band. Instead, they were a throwback to The Who, Neil Young, The Doors, and other classic rock bands. They were labeled alternative because they were not 80s hair metal and dealt with real issues as opposed to partying and getting drunk. The band struggled with success and continued to release hit albums. Lead singer Eddie Vedder is perhaps the last of the rock stars.

The band supports leftist causes and during the early 00s were castigated by fans for attacking President Bush. After a departure, they returned to their original sound in 2006 and in 2009 are reissuing Ten.

Rock n Roll Moment: Pearl Jam took on Ticketmaster over ticket prices and fees. They lost.

Essential Pearl Jam:

Ten (1991)
Vs. (1993)
Vitalogy (1994)
Pearl Jam (2006)

Pearl Jam’s Top 10:

Even Flow
Alive
Black
Jeremy
Daughter
Elderly Woman Behind A Counter In A Small Town
Better Man
Corduroy
Nothing As It Seems
Do The Evolution