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Christened by vocalist Ed Vedder, allegedly, from his grandma Pearl's homemade Jam, (yes indeed, Pearl(s) Jam). This band set the stage for the early nineties "Grunge" music scene, together with the likes of "Nirvana", and "Soundgarden". Despite a fall from commercial stardom in their late career, they have continued where others have fallen, and are the only surviving, successful band from the Seattle, Washington music scene. Pearl Jam are not a band for glitz and glam, and deliver their music without gimmick. They even shy from promotion and video exposure. Their commercial success has not been major, especially in their late career. However, they have spawned hundreds of album releases that include an extensive collection of their live performances across the globe.

Biography

1990 - After the death of Andy Wood, due to drugs overdose, and the demise of "Mother Love Bone", guitarist Stone Gossard, and Bassist Jeff Ament decide to record a tribute album, "Temple of the dog" , (Released 1991 on A&M records). The album was a collaboration of writing talents that included Soundgarden vocalist, Chris Cornell, and drummer Matt Cameron. The album also featured Ed Vedder on vocals, and Mike McCready on lead guitar.

1991 - Stone Gossard, and Bassist Jeff Ament decide to form a new band. They recruit new guitarist, Mike McCready to record a demo tape. Jack Irons, (ex "Red Hot Chilli Peppers" drummer), passed the tape onto Surf buddy, Ed Vedder who was currently in San Diego. There, he recorded vocals for the demo tracks, "Mamasan trilogy", and passed it back to Gossard and Ament. The latter were impressed and invite Vedder back to Seattle to front their new band.

Together with new drummer, Dave Krusen, the band was complete, and they named it "Mookie Blaylock", (after a Seattle basketball star). Epic record label, however, were not so keen on this name, so the band was renamed "Pearl Jam", allegedly after Ed Vedder's grandmother Pearl, who apparently made excellent homemade Jam. The Blaylock name was honoured in it's short lifespan, as newly named Pearl Jam used his shirt number for the title of their debut album, "10".

Drummer Dave Krusen quit the band shortly before the release of "Ten", and was replaced by Matt Chamberlain, (Edie Brickell). However, after appearing for only a number of dates, he too quit to join the "Saturday night Live" band. He was replaced by Dave Abbruzzese.

"Ten" was released on Sony's Epic record label August 1991, and was an instant success. With songs "Once" and "Alive", from the former demo "mamasan trilogy", The album was a blend of hard rock and ballad, and lyrical mystique, involving death, and serial killers, ("mamasan trilogy"), and suicide, ("Jeremy"). Despite such a sombre subject material, the album co-produced by the band and Rick Parashar, was surprisingly upbeat, and outstanding in sound and power. Pearl Jam, were truly part of the new Seattle "Grunge" scene, together with bands such as, "Soundgarden", "Nirvana", and "Alice in Chains".

1992 - "Jeremy" wins "Video of the year" on MTV. The band also win "Best Group video".

1993 - With the release of "Versus", Pearl Jam were set for success. The album set a record for sales in it's first week, and began the bands long association with excellent record producer Brenden O'Brien. The song "Go" was nominated and won a Grammy for "Best hard rock performance". The album included the hits, "Daughter", "Dissident", and "Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town".

1994 - Pearl Jam release their third album, "Vitalogy". This became a record seller for it's first week, second only to the previous album, "Versus". The album included the hits "Not For You", "Spin The Black Circle", "Corduroy", and "Tremor Christ". The album cover featured a book styling with apothecary theme page inserts. Some pictures attributed and contributed by Ament himself, (an idea that would now feature on following album releases). Later this year Dave Abbruzzese quit the band due to artistic differences.

1995 - Jack Irons, (ex Chilli Peppers), joins the band on drums. Pearl Jam appeared on the Neil Young album, "Mirror Ball". Young also played on Pearl Jam's EP "Merkin Ball".

1996 - Pearl Jam release "No Code", their fourth studio album. Sales for this did not fair well, although the album briefly debuted at the #1 position, before dropping down the album chart. This may well have been due to the lack of promotional videos from the band. The Band were not keen on making videos for their music at this time. Singles from "No Code" included, "Hail, Hail", "Who You Are", and "Mankind" with Stone Gossard featuring on vocals. The album cover was once again an expensive conception. Folded from four panes, that opened out, with an inset sleeve containing separate glazed postcards with track lyrics on the back. The outer cover and inside is a collage of 144 Polaroid's taken by the band themselves.

1998 - The band release "Yield", which debuted at the #2 spot, before again dropping quickly down the chart positions. For the first time since 1993, the band decided a promotional video would be a good idea, and recorded a video for the single release "Do the Evolution". The album eventually went Platinum in the US, Singles from "Yield" also included the Zeppelin styled, "Given to Fly", and also "Wishlist". Pearl Jam again changed drummers after this album, with Matt Cameron, (formerly Soundgarden), replacing Jack Irons.

1999 - Pearl Jam record and release a cover of a 50's ballad by J.Frank Wilson, entitled, "Last Kiss". The single was released for charity on a small budget, and was a surprising success, reaching #2 in the billboard chart. The most successful single release by Pearl Jam to date.

2000 - The band release, "Binaural", which enters the chart at #2. Together with a lengthy tour of the US and Europe, the band's new found recognition look set to bring them out of the slump during the late 90's. However, the album was less than their best and major sales were not forthcoming.

It was here that the band came up with the idea of releasing official Bootleg recordings of their shows for sale to fans, originally through their fan clubs. However, contractual obligations would not permit the sale of live bootleg albums to fan outlets alone, so the idea to professionally record and release live bootlegs commercially was spawned. Pearl Jam went on to record every appearance of their subsequent tour dates, and released 72 live bootleg albums through fan clubs, sites and in retail stores. This set yet another record with "Billboard", that is, for the number of albums released to the billboard 200 album chart at the same time.

The 2000 tour was cut short due to a tragic accident at the Roskilde festival in Denmark. Fans were crushed as crowds surged forward at the concert. The band stopped playing and tried to calm the crowd, but nine fans died from the accident. The remaining last two dates of the tour were canceled, and the band, upset by the occurrence, contemplated retiring. An official investigation later cleared Pearl Jam of responsibility for the accident.

2002 - The band release their seventh studio album, "Riot Act". The album featured keyboard player Boom Gaspar. Tracks include "Love Boat Captain", and the single "I am mine". A more low key and folk based project, the album has not been a commercial success for the band.

2003 - Another 72 live bootleg albums were released from their 2003 US, Australian, and European tours. June 2003 and Pearl Jam decide to split with their record label Sony/Epic.

2005 - The band toured Canada, including little known venues and dates. Pearl Jam again recorded each and every gig. The subsequent bootleg releases only available through their official website. The band played a benefit concert in aid of Hurricane Katrina, which took place on October 5th at "The house of Blues", in Chicago, Illinois. The concert also featured ex Led Zeppelin frontman, Robert Plant.

2006 - May. Pearl Jam Release their self titled album 01.05.06 on Sony records. Produced by Adam Kasper, the album includes the single, "World wide suicide", and features 13 tracks. Pearl Jam recently played a one-off gig at London's Astoria club. A strangely small venue for such a high profile band. They also appeared on "Later with Jools, (Holland), BBC2 05.05.06.

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