Pearl Jam- A True Rock Legend
By extra. Filed in Art & Photography |
Hailed as the most popular rock and roll band of the 1990s, Pearl Jam remains one of the music scene’s demi-gods as shown by music merch sales. This, despite the insistence of the band members in standing up for oft-controversial issues related to ethics and politics. As a result, one magazine has asserted that the band has spent too much time deliberately hacking away at its own fame.
Despite their controversial stands though, nothing can remove the band from its pedestal. They are true rock legends. For two decades, countless fans continue to listen to their music. To date, band members include Eddie Vedder on guitar and lead vocals, Stone Gossard on rhythm guitar, Matt Cameron on drums, Jeff Ament on bass and Mike McCreedy on lead guitar.
All Time Favorite Discography
While other artists from the 90s have paled, Pearl Jam continues to shine. This is only natural considering that the band has been able to sell a whooping 60 million albums around the world. One secret to the enduring quality of the band’s music is the wide scope that song themes revolve around. People from all walks of life can relate to the music.
At present, Pearl Jam has 9 studio albums, 2 compilation albums and 6 live albums with 28 singles and several official bootlegs to its name. It must be noted that the number does not include numerous collaborations with other bands like Soundgarden, Mother Love Bone, and Temple of the Dog, to name a few.
The nine studio albums are spread well over two decades. They came up with Ten in 1991, Vs in 1993, Vitalogy in 1994, No Code in 1996, Yield in 1998, Binaural in 2000, Riot Act in 2002, Pearl Jam in 2006 and Backspacer in 2009.
Band Influence and Legacy
There is no doubt that the band has its own unique and noticeable mark. Most hardcore fans would know though that it is difficult to pin Pearl Jam entirely on one category. Although the group is generally considered a classical or punk rock band, they have successfully fused a number of musical elements from different genres.
For example, the Ten album was considered the high point of alternative rock. By the time Vitalogy was released, the punk sound became more dominant while No Code featured garage rock. The Yield album was rock and roll, which was followed by the art rock of Binaural and then the folk rock sound of Riot Act. The self-tiled Pearl Jam was a return to the band’s alternative rock roots while the latest album, Backspacer, has pop and New Wave elements.
The band’s influence on other bands is impressive, too. Bands ranging from Silverchair (alternative rock) and Puddle of Mudd (post-grunge) to The Strokes (rock) cite Pearl Jam as their prime inspiration. Plus, there is also the fact that fans, called Jamily, have an almost cult-like adoration for the band and its music.
But their legacy does not only extend to the music industry. Eddie Vedder has used and continues to use the band’s popularity to espouse social and political causes like pro-choice, environment and wildlife protection, awareness of Chrohn’s disease, voter registration and participation, and charities.
With all that Pearl Jam has been up to, it’s clear that they have proven that rock performers are not all self-centered or concerned only about fame. This is what makes the band special and worthy of putting on a pedestal or at least on hundreds of band posters.
Tags: band posters, music merch, Pearl Jam
