Welcome folks to Pearl Jam Central!

This is the section of my website dedicated to one of the most influential rock bands of the 1990's. Although not everyone may like their music, none can deny their undying popularity or their amazing songwriting abilities. Their juxtapostion of sound creates in most people an elegant sampling of one's own emotions. Eddie Vedder's ability to write lyrics that speak to almost everyone makes one wonder if he doesn't know you personally. One can't help but to appreciate the incredible Jimi Hendrix-like solo ability of the band's lead guitarist, Mike McCready. Stone Gossard's rythmic chords compliment the drum beat. Jeff Ament's bass playing is simple, complimentary, and extremely effective in creating a wonderful array of sound. And who can forget Pearl Jam's string of drummers. All have been amazing from Dave Krusen's pounding back beat to Jack Iron's overwhelming skill and agility. Pearl Jam are an incredible combination of musical genius and strong emotion that makes them a driving force in the history of Rock and Roll.

But their music alone isn't what makes them popular. It's their hard stance on important issues. It's the fact that they've remained together in the face of incredible odds. It's the fact that, despite their overwhelming popularity, they've remained true to the fans. They are humble and modest and love to play. Never have their egos over-shadowed the music. They're famous, but they don't feel that they have to prove it to anyone, not even themselves.

The fans prove it for them.

Seven years after the release of their debut album "Ten" Pearl Jam continues to sell out shows all across North America. The most amazing proof of fan dedication comes from New York City. One of the first songs they ever wrote, "Breath," was a given at most of their concerts up until 1994. For some reason they weren't playing it on the 1998 tour. A few fans brought out signs and posters to almost every show on the western leg of the tour requesting that they play "Breath" to no avail. Then came the eastern leg of the tour, specifically New Jersey. Someone decided to print out thousands of signs requesting "Breath" and pass them out to fans that wanted to hear the song. All of them were taken. All of them were held up. The band noticed and laughed, prompting Vedder to say "This next song has the word breath in it if it helps" before going into "Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town."

The next show was at the famous Madison Square Garden in New York City. Fans who had gone to the New Jersey show printed out more signs. Again, every sign was held up. They transcended every level of the Garden. Again, to no avail. Vedder this time said, "This is the best organization since New Jersey!" MSG night 2: More signs. Vedder said, while shaking his head, "You cocksuckers. You motherfuckers. You think you deserve it?" The crowd cheered. "Yeah, I think you do too. We're gonna play it!" The perserverance had paid off. They played "Breath" as the first song of the first encore.

Fortunately I was able to hear them play "Breath" at their show in Hartford.

Here are the setlists of the shows I attended. Hopefully I'll be able to add more to this list when they tour Europe. Wish me luck!

Coming Soon! The Pearl Jam lyrics page. Undisputable proof of Vedder's emotional and simplistic lyricism.