Pearl Jam is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. The band's original lineup consisted of vocalist Eddie Vedder, guitarists Stone Gossard and Mike McCready, bassist Jeff Ament, and drummer Dave Krusen. The band has since gone through several lineup changes, but Vedder, Gossard, McCready, and Ament have remained the core members.
Pearl Jam rose to fame in the early 1990s as part of the grunge music movement, which originated in Seattle. The band's debut album, Ten (1991), is considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time and features hits such as "Alive," "Even Flow," and "Jeremy." The album has sold over 13 million copies worldwide.
The band continued to release critically acclaimed albums, including Vs. (1993), which became the fastest-selling album in history at the time of its release, Vitalogy (1994), and No Code (1996). In 1998, the band released their fifth studio album, Yield, which showcased a more experimental sound and featured the hit single "Given to Fly."
In the early 2000s, Pearl Jam became known for their activism and social consciousness. They took a stand against ticketing giant Ticketmaster and began to experiment with different recording and distribution methods. The band's seventh studio album, Riot Act (2002), addressed themes such as the Iraq War and government corruption.
Pearl Jam continued to release music throughout the 2000s and 2010s, with albums such as Pearl Jam (2006), Backspacer (2009), and Lightning Bolt (2013). In addition to their studio albums, the band has released several live albums and compilations, showcasing their dynamic live performances.
Today, Pearl Jam remains one of the most influential and beloved rock bands of all time. They continue to tour and make music, with their most recent album, Gigaton (2020), receiving critical acclaim for its socially conscious themes and innovative sound.
