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Band Timeline
1990
Formation of Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam was formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990 by guitarists Stone Gossard and Mike McCready, bassist Jeff Ament, and vocalist Eddie Vedder. The band emerged following the demise of Gossard and Ament's previous bands, Green River and Mother Love Bone, and was quickly signed by Epic Records. The addition of drummer Dave Krusen completed the initial lineup. Pearl Jam's formation marked the beginning of one of the most enduring and influential bands of the 1990s grunge movement.
1991
Breakthrough with Debut Album Ten
In 1991, Pearl Jam released their debut album Ten, which became a defining work of the grunge era. The album featured hits like "Alive," "Even Flow," and "Jeremy," showcasing a powerful blend of hard rock and emotive lyricism led by Eddie Vedder's distinctive voice. Ten remained on the US Billboard 200 chart for nearly five years and achieved 13× platinum certification by the RIAA. The album's success propelled Pearl Jam into mainstream acclaim and positioned them as a major force in American rock.
1993
Release and Record Success of Vs.
Pearl Jam's second album, Vs., was released in 1993 and quickly broke records by selling over 950,000 copies in its first week. At the time, this set the record for most copies of an album sold in its first week. Vs. continued the band's exploration of intense, raw rock sounds while addressing themes like alienation and societal pressures. The album underscored Pearl Jam's prominence in the early 1990s rock scene as they continued to build a loyal fanbase.
1994
Vitalogy and Lineup Changes
In 1994, Pearl Jam released their third album, Vitalogy, which became the second-fastest-selling CD in history during its debut week, selling more than 877,000 units. The album demonstrated the band's willingness to experiment musically and lyrically, further solidifying their legacy. Despite commercial success, the band faced internal challenges leading to drummer Dave Abbruzzese's departure in the same year. He was replaced by Jack Irons, the former drummer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, marking a significant lineup change during a critical phase for the band.
1996
No Code and Shifting Musical Directions
Pearl Jam released their fourth studio album, No Code, in 1996. This album represented a shift towards a more experimental and diverse sound, reflecting the band's desire to evolve artistically and move away from mainstream expectations. The album featured more introspective and complex songwriting. Around this time, the band maintained a critical stance against certain industry practices, emphasizing artistic integrity and connection with fans over commercialism.
1998
Yield and Drummer Transition
In 1998, Pearl Jam released their fifth album, Yield, continuing their exploration of varied rock styles while balancing their grunge roots. That year also marked a significant change with the departure of drummer Jack Irons. He was replaced by Matt Cameron, formerly of Soundgarden and a collaborator with Pearl Jam members in the Temple of the Dog project. Cameron's addition brought stability to the band's rhythm section and he has remained their drummer since.
1999
Chart Success with Single "Last Kiss"
Pearl Jam released the cover single "Last Kiss" in 1999, which originated as a fan club Christmas single in 1998 but was given a wider public release due to popular demand. The single became one of Pearl Jam's highest-charting hits, reaching number two on the US Billboard Hot 100. This success reaffirmed the band's popularity and ability to connect with broad audiences beyond their album sales.
2000
Binaural Album and Official Bootlegs Launch
The year 2000 saw the release of Pearl Jam's sixth studio album, Binaural, which continued to demonstrate their commitment to exploring new musical textures and themes. The band also initiated a pioneering series of official bootlegs, recording and releasing live albums for nearly every show on their tours. This initiative was unprecedented and reinforced Pearl Jam's strong relationship with their fanbase, offering high-quality live recordings and combating unauthorized bootlegs.
2002
Riot Act and Conclusion with Epic Records
Pearl Jam released their seventh studio album Riot Act in 2002. This album continued the band's tradition of socially conscious and musically diverse work, addressing political and personal themes, partly inspired by events like the 2000 US presidential election and the 9/11 attacks. Riot Act was the band's final album with Epic Records, marking the end of their initial long-term label association. The release reflected the band's maturity and continuing relevance in the changing rock landscape.
2006
Self-Titled Album and Label Changes
In 2006, Pearl Jam released their eighth studio album, Pearl Jam, under a one-album deal with J Records. The album was characterized by a raw and energetic sound, emphasizing the band's enduring creative vitality. Around this time, the band shifted towards greater control over their music distribution by establishing their own label, Monkeywrench Records, setting the stage for subsequent releases to be managed more independently.
2009
Backspacer and Independent Releases
Pearl Jam's ninth studio album, Backspacer, was released in 2009 through their own Monkeywrench Records label. The album saw the band embracing more concise songwriting with a future-facing rock sound. This period marked a new phase of artistic freedom and business independence, as the band controlled their releases and continued extensive touring and engagement with their fan community through live recordings and bootlegs.
2017
Induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Pearl Jam was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 during their first year of eligibility. This recognition formalized their status as one of the most influential and enduring bands in rock history. By then, Pearl Jam had sold over 100 million albums worldwide and was praised for their powerful live performances, commitment to social and political activism, and their significant impact on the 1990s rock music landscape and beyond.
2020
Release of Eleventh Studio Album Gigaton
On March 27, 2020, Pearl Jam released their eleventh studio album Gigaton under their Monkeywrench Records/Republic Records partnership, with international distribution by Universal Music Group International. The album arrived after an 11-year gap since their last studio effort, showcasing their continued evolution with themes addressing environmental and societal issues. Gigaton was embraced by fans and critics alike as a strong continuation of Pearl Jam's legacy in modern rock.
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Members
Current
Name
Begin
Occupation
Mike McCready
1990
Background vocals
Guitar
Matt Cameron
1998
Drums (drum set)
Background vocals
Jeff Ament
1990
Double bass
Bass guitar
Background vocals
Stone Gossard
1990
Bass guitar
Guitar
Background vocals
Eddie Vedder
1990
Tambourine
Accordion
Guitar
Lead vocals
Harmonica
History
Name
Begin
End
Occupation
Jack Irons
1994
1998
Drums (drum set)
Matt Chamberlain
1991
1991
Drums (drum set)
Dave Abbruzzese
1991
1994
Membranophone
Dave Krusen
1990
1991
Membranophone
Story of Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam: The Seattle Sound that Rocked the 90s
Pearl Jam, the iconic American rock band, emerged from the fertile musical ground of Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Their core lineup, a powerhouse of talent, consists of founding members Jeff Ament (bass), Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar), Mike McCready (lead guitar), and the charismatic Eddie Vedder (lead vocals, guitar). Completing the sonic tapestry is Matt Cameron (drums), who joined in 1998, and Boom Gaspar (keyboards), a touring/session member since 2002.
Their history is rich with drumming talent, featuring a rotating cast behind the kit that includes original member Dave Krusen, and former members Matt Chamberlain, Dave Abbruzzese, and Jack Irons.
Pearl Jam's rise to prominence was meteoric. Formed from the ashes of Gossard and Ament's previous bands, Green River and Mother Love Bone, they stormed the mainstream with their debut album, "Ten," in 1991. This album dominated the Billboard 200 charts for nearly five years, achieving iconic status as one of the highest-selling rock albums of all time, going 13x Platinum in the United States.
Their impact continued with "Vs." in 1993, which sold an astounding 950,000 copies in its first week, setting a record for most albums sold in a week at the time. "Vitalogy," their third album, followed in 1994, becoming the second fastest-selling CD in history at the time, with over 877,000 units sold in its first week.
As a key force in the grunge movement of the early 90s, Pearl Jam challenged industry norms, often shunning music videos and interviews, a testament to their commitment to authenticity and artistic control. They have transcended their contemporaries, achieving lasting success and solidifying their place as one of the most influential rock bands of the decade, earning the title of "the most popular American rock and roll band of the '90s."
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