The 90s were a time of redefining music. We started to see more “garage bands” getting successful, which showed the music industry that people cared more about the music itself than the production value.

It also launched the grunge-rock phase, which was a sharp right turn away from the synth-rock of the 1980s. Perhaps no band embodies the changes and the sound of the 90s as well as Pearl Jam, who are seen as the fathers of grunge rock. And while they’re still active, Pearl Jam will live on as one of the best bands of the 90s. Their music has changed over the years, but true Pearl Jam fans never stray.

Early Days

The original members of the band were Eddie Vedder (vocalist), Jeff Ament (bassist), Dave Krusen (drums), Mike McCready (guitarist), and Stone Gossard (guitarist), though their lineup has changed since then.

The band came to be in the year 1990, when two friends, Gossard and Ament, who were already in a band, lost their dear friend and lead singer, Andrew Wood. Taking inspiration from Nirvana, who was already charting at the time, they decided to go for a grungier sound than their last group had. It took them a while to decide on the name Pearl Jam – but it’s decidedly better than “Mookie Blaylock,” which was their first name.

Pearl Jam: The Sound of Generation X

A full year after they formed, Pearl Jam put out their first album, Ten. It did well in Seattle, then went on to sell millions around the US. They set a precedent for themselves as independent artists, only booking concerts at smaller venues that didn’t charge an arm and a leg for tickets. They’ve had to move to bigger venues as they’ve gotten more popular, but fans still love them for their “stick it to the man” attitude.