Unwilling PJ Converts

[rearviewross]

I have been trying to convert my wife into a PJ fan for over a decade now. She doesn't dislike them but honestly isn't into music like I am. I have tried being subtle but it just doesn't work. She has declared that she wants to the Wrigley show with me so I told her she needs to earn it. With all the people dieing to go that couldn't get tickets she needs to listen to some PJ. She agreed. I got her to watch PJ20 for about 30 minutes so maybe I will start there and make her watch the whole thing.

Anyone else out there try to convert someone that you desperately want to like PJ but had no luck? Or anyone have luck with a difficult convert?

[ckravitz]

Ironically, I think getting a "non fan" to a show is actually the single best way to convert them as words just cannot describe how great they are live, especially in comparison to other bands. My wife is definitely a bigger fan after having seen them in concert (though admittedly still not as crazed like me!).

[shetellsherself]

My hubby had been unwilling to consider the possibility that he might like pj since day one. Sometimes I wonder... Anyway I have found that I'm able to crack through that resolve with songs that were not frequently played on radio, newer songs and covers. He's a big pink Floyd and Neil young fan so those usually get the "ok your right that was pretty good". I also find positivity lurking when I play harder, faster tunes as these suit his taste better. "Wow that's pj?" He also appreciates a good guitar solo so any of the choices with mike making magic get a positive nod. He told me as if its a revelation " any band that sounds better live than in studio is good". No kidding. You know those boots that are stacking up? They aren't all the same. . So anyway I say figure out where she is in her own musical world and find some pj songs that fit in there. Go slow and draw her out. Good luck.

[YieldToNothing]

yea when i was 18 i thought i needed to make everyone listen to pearl jam and make them fans. it worked on some, it kinda worked on some and for some it completely backfired.

10 years later, i don't give a shit- listen to what you want to listen to. the band is still here and playing and i've got plenty of friends who love them

[terrym08]

Ironically, I think getting a "non fan" to a show is actually the single best way to convert them as words just cannot describe how great they are live, especially in comparison to other bands. My wife is definitely a bigger fan after having seen them in concert (though admittedly still not as crazed like me!).

agree 100%

[Abe Froman]

Ok, well I met my wife about 8 years ago. She knew some obvious PJ stuff but was never a fan...at all. Long story short after playing it around her A LOT she now absolutely LOVES them and is really pumped about Wrigley! What really started hooking her was seeing Ed solo in Chicago back in 08'. She loved it. Then we saw PJ in 09'. She liked it but was a bigger fan of Ed's solo stuff. I think it was just due to the fact she just still wasn't familiar with some stuff they played (Life Wasted, God's Dice, ect). A couple more years of listening (especially to the PJ stuff I put on her iPod) and another Ed solo experience (2 nights Tulsa) and she's a huge fan now. She shocks me sometimes when a song will come on and she says "oh I love this one!' and it will be something totally random that I didn't even know she had ever heard. She actually sat and watched the entire show from Prague the other night. Maybe make her a playlist before Wrigley and make her jam it a few times. Here's what my wife really loves...

Low Light
Man Of The Hour
Just Breathe
Smile
Unthought Known
Nothingman
Drifting
Small Town
Chloe Dancer/Crown Of Thorns (Toronto, didn't even know she had ever heard it till the other day. Loves it!)
I Am Mine
Got Some
Do The Evolution
Porch

Good luck brother!

[Zod]

I've never really had this problem. I kind of realize I've converted my wife, brother, and most of my friends to being PJ fan's. They've all seen the band on multiple occassions and I actively see PJ loaded into their playlists etc....

I never realized I had that impact on people until recently... or I guess PJ has that impact on people.

[buck502000]

I have given up.

Have you ever had those people you tell you are going to a PJ show and they are like, "Whoa, they are still together? Didn't they do that Jeremy song? Geez.

[rearviewross]

Ironically, I think getting a "non fan" to a show is actually the single best way to convert them as words just cannot describe how great they are live, especially in comparison to other bands. My wife is definitely a bigger fan after having seen them in concert (though admittedly still not as crazed like me!).

Tried that. Went to United Center in 06 with her. I think she liked it but someone puked in a beer cup and threw it toward us from the bowl seats above. It skimmed the brim of my hat and a couple drops got on her hair. Pretty disgusting. It is a good thing I didn't know who did it or I would have missed the show and spent the night in jail. Maybe its a lost cause. I think I will start with the PJ20 movie. At least I can associate the names of the band members with a face.

[Mamasan23]

I've taken my sister with me to countless PJ shows. She has a good enough time, but she's not really a fan, you know? So two Christmases ago I got her every PJ studio album in hopes that she would find the obsession I don't think she ever listened to them. Interestingly enough though, when EV came through town, I asked her to go with me. She hemmed and hawed about it, thinking it would be stupid. After the show, she couldn't stop talking about it! She LOVED it and promptly got his solo CD's - in fact the uke album is her fave! So we at least have that.

But she won't be going to Pearl Jam shows with me anymore

[EdsonNascimento]

I have been trying to convert my wife into a PJ fan for over a decade now. She doesn't dislike them but honestly isn't into music like I am. I have tried being subtle but it just doesn't work. She has declared that she wants to the Wrigley show with me so I told her she needs to earn it. With all the people dieing to go that couldn't get tickets she needs to listen to some PJ. She agreed. I got her to watch PJ20 for about 30 minutes so maybe I will start there and make her watch the whole thing.

Anyone else out there try to convert someone that you desperately want to like PJ but had no luck? Or anyone have luck with a difficult convert?

I agree with YieldToNothing, but the best way is just keep playing the music. My wife professes not to be a PJ fan (not that she says she dislikes them), yet she'll sing Alive or Crazy Mary or whatever pops on from time to time.

Don't sit her down to watch. It's about the music. Just play it and it becomes like anything else to the subconscious.

And telling her she needs to earn it is the silliest thing I've ever heard. That's a nice way to really turn her off (full pun intended). She's your wife, isn't she? If she says she wants to go, then why wouldn't you want her to go? Who cares if she enjoys it as much as you do. Maybe, she'll enjoy YOU enjoying it. Haven't you ever done that for her? And maybe if you're real good, from that, she'll be converted.

[rearviewross]

I've taken my sister with me to countless PJ shows. She has a good enough time, but she's not really a fan, you know? So two Christmases ago I got her every PJ studio album in hopes that she would find the obsession I don't think she ever listened to them. Interestingly enough though, when EV came through town, I asked her to go with me. She hemmed and hawed about it, thinking it would be stupid. After the show, she couldn't stop talking about it! She LOVED it and promptly got his solo CD's - in fact the uke album is her fave! So we at least have that.

But she won't be going to Pearl Jam shows with me anymore

Ok, so maybe Ill get her listening to EV. That is more up her alley too. She doesn't really like loud music. Not sure why she married me then.

I think she is just using this concert as an excuse to get a weekend away from the kids in Chicago. Cant say I blame her.

[brianlux]

I've never had any luck getting family or friends to become PJ fans. Most of my peers (including my dearly beloved wife) listen to stuff I don't care for and visa versa. So thank God for PJ friends and the PJ forum!

[rearviewross]

I have been trying to convert my wife into a PJ fan for over a decade now. She doesn't dislike them but honestly isn't into music like I am. I have tried being subtle but it just doesn't work. She has declared that she wants to the Wrigley show with me so I told her she needs to earn it. With all the people dieing to go that couldn't get tickets she needs to listen to some PJ. She agreed. I got her to watch PJ20 for about 30 minutes so maybe I will start there and make her watch the whole thing.

Anyone else out there try to convert someone that you desperately want to like PJ but had no luck? Or anyone have luck with a difficult convert?

And telling her she needs to earn it is the silliest thing I've ever heard. That's a nice way to really turn her off (full pun intended). She's your wife, isn't she? If she says she wants to go, then why wouldn't you want her to go? Who cares if she enjoys it as much as you do. Maybe, she'll enjoy YOU enjoying it. Haven't you ever done that for her? And maybe if you're real good, from that, she'll be converted.

The earn it thing was kind of tongue in cheek. Trust me Ive been playing the music for over 10 years, it hasnt worked. It is time for tough love.

[EdsonNascimento]

I have been trying to convert my wife into a PJ fan for over a decade now. She doesn't dislike them but honestly isn't into music like I am. I have tried being subtle but it just doesn't work. She has declared that she wants to the Wrigley show with me so I told her she needs to earn it. With all the people dieing to go that couldn't get tickets she needs to listen to some PJ. She agreed. I got her to watch PJ20 for about 30 minutes so maybe I will start there and make her watch the whole thing.

Anyone else out there try to convert someone that you desperately want to like PJ but had no luck? Or anyone have luck with a difficult convert?

And telling her she needs to earn it is the silliest thing I've ever heard. That's a nice way to really turn her off (full pun intended). She's your wife, isn't she? If she says she wants to go, then why wouldn't you want her to go? Who cares if she enjoys it as much as you do. Maybe, she'll enjoy YOU enjoying it. Haven't you ever done that for her? And maybe if you're real good, from that, she'll be converted.

The earn it thing was kind of tongue in cheek. Trust me Ive been playing the music for over 10 years, it hasnt worked. It is time for tough love.

I realize that. Why wouldn't you want to go with your wife for a weekend in Chitown and catch a PJ show at Wrigley even if she's more into Chitown, and you're more into PJ?