In which circumstances did you discover Pearl Jam ?

PJSEMPRE

Heard Alive on the radio.

WhatYouTaughtMe

EarlWelsh said:

Either caught one of the first couple of videos on MTV or stumbled across the Ten cassette whilst looking for my older brother's porn.

)

ldent42

Saw the video for Jeremy on the MTV back when it played silly things like music videos. Probably 93-94.
Fast forward to whatever year it was PJ played Troy and Atlantic City. I somehow heard about these shows (probably through ticketmaster emails or that concert notifier thing i had for a while... pollstar? maybe?) I would have gone to either of those shows but no one would go with me. I wanted to go SO BAD. Was it the Borgata they played? I don't remember.But everyone said it was too far and/or too expensive. Anyway a couple years later this girl tells me she wants to go see them and they're playing MSG. That was 2008. We had seats that were pretty much touching the roof, but we had a great time. Anyway after the show - I remember this cuz irony - she said to me "that was a life changing experience" in her full on post show high. I thought she was nuts and said it was a good show but "life changing" is a bit much. I found out about bootlegs a little while later and started listening to a LOT of them. A while later I see an ad on facebook from a travel agency promoting a travel group to Australia for the PJ tour plus an add on option for the 2 shows in NZ. Now I've had a thing for NZ for a very very long time. Just completely in love with the idea of the country. I contacted that travel agency, they sent me a quote just for the NZ portion. Robbed me blind but that's okay, at that time it was what I needed. Again, no one would go with me. I decided it was too good of an opportunity to pass up just cuz i have shitty friends. so I booked it for myself, went alone, met some cool peeps and had a great time. I guess you'd call it a 'life changing experience'? 2010 they played MSG again and the same girl wants to go, but I couldn't get tickets for that so we got tickets for Newark. I had to take the train from Queens to that show and climb 10,000 stairs to get to our seats in the rafters wearing one of them cam walker boots they put u in when u fuck up your ankle. The boot was bigger than the stairs. I almost died a couple times. It was fun. Anyway that was the last show that girl went to with me. She grew out of it I guess. Since then, I've travelled to Chicago, Atlanta, Hartford, Baltimore, Australia, back to New Zealand, and even all the way to Brooklyn! (Seriously it took me longer to get home from one of those Brooklyn shows than it did from Hartford.) Starting next month PJis guiding me through my first trip to Europe. 5 countries. in less than two months which is more than I've ever been to in my whole life ever.

I'm sorry what was the question?

RunIntoTheRain

ldent42 said:

Saw the video for Jeremy on the MTV back when it played silly things like music videos. Probably 93-94.
Fast forward to whatever year it was PJ played Troy and Atlantic City. I somehow heard about these shows (probably through ticketmaster emails or that concert notifier thing i had for a while... pollstar? maybe?) I would have gone to either of those shows but no one would go with me. I wanted to go SO BAD. Was it the Borgata they played? I don't remember.But everyone said it was too far and/or too expensive. Anyway a couple years later this girl tells me she wants to go see them and they're playing MSG. That was 2008. We had seats that were pretty much touching the roof, but we had a great time. Anyway after the show - I remember this cuz irony - she said to me "that was a life changing experience" in her full on post show high. I thought she was nuts and said it was a good show but "life changing" is a bit much. I found out about bootlegs a little while later and started listening to a LOT of them. A while later I see an ad on facebook from a travel agency promoting a travel group to Australia for the PJ tour plus an add on option for the 2 shows in NZ. Now I've had a thing for NZ for a very very long time. Just completely in love with the idea of the country. I contacted that travel agency, they sent me a quote just for the NZ portion. Robbed me blind but that's okay, at that time it was what I needed. Again, no one would go with me. I decided it was too good of an opportunity to pass up just cuz i have shitty friends. so I booked it for myself, went alone, met some cool peeps and had a great time. I guess you'd call it a 'life changing experience'? 2010 they played MSG again and the same girl wants to go, but I couldn't get tickets for that so we got tickets for Newark. I had to take the train from Queens to that show and climb 10,000 stairs to get to our seats in the rafters wearing one of them cam walker boots they put u in when u fuck up your ankle. The boot was bigger than the stairs. I almost died a couple times. It was fun. Anyway that was the last show that girl went to with me. She grew out of it I guess. Since then, I've travelled to Chicago, Atlanta, Hartford, Baltimore, Australia, back to New Zealand, and even all the way to Brooklyn! (Seriously it took me longer to get home from one of those Brooklyn shows than it did from Hartford.) Starting next month PJis guiding me through my first trip to Europe. 5 countries. in less than two months which is more than I've ever been to in my whole life ever.

I'm sorry what was the question?

I love your story! Have a great time in Europe
=D>

PJfanwillneverleave1

In '91 I was a volunteer for the YMCA wrapping team. (People who wrap presents for others in need during the holidays).

I was 13 and at that time my music tastes were Run DMC, Public Enemy, NWA and The Boss

When I was sorting through the donated gifts I saw a tape that had "Arms raised in a V" on the cover.

I thought it looked cool and bought it the next day. I put the tape into my yellow sony "waterproof" Walkman and pressed play.

The rest is history.

JV130312

Went to see Smashing Pumpkins and Chilli Peppers at Rec Hall State College and saw this band...bought the CD the next day. Haven't looked back.

aceblazer1

I was seeing this jerk, Steve, at the time. He always knew what was going to be big musically. I was with him in his car back in 1991 and he played 'Jeremy' for me (on a cassette!) and said it was about an abused kid that committed suicide. I was like 'wow' because that was really deep - especially back then. I went out and bought the Ten cassette, needless to say! I'm still glad to this day that I was dating him then since he introduced me to Pearl Jam (also Nirvana). At least I got something good out of the relationship!

spearhead

I was alone and far away when I heard The Band start playing...on the lip, late take off.

ponce deleon

Radio station in Charlotte, early 1992, had a segment called Top 9 at 9. Worked really late that day, on the way home Alive came on at no. 3. Was blown away by all of it. That weekend bought the CD and have been hooked since. So, that night my life changed.

bluegrace

I saw Alive on MTV and was immediately hooked. Months later I persuaded my boyfriend at the time and some friends to see them live when they played over here. It was an ace concert and I'm so glad we went. A very nice memory.

SALLYROO

I am like most kids born in the early 70s who were late teens/young adults when PJ exploded on the scene. MTV/radio introduced me to the first few singles in Australia. I loved others that followed but I always thought of them as my brothers’ band. We’d share CDs and I knew they would always buy the PJ albums. They also got to see the band in Australia in 1995. By then I’d moved to Canada, and sort of stopped paying attention. Other than “oh nice new single from PJ” on the radio, that was about it.

Fast forward to about 2 years ago. I saw the documentary Buck, and heard Just Breathe while blubbering during the closing credits. Due to my own father/divorce/dysfunctional family issues the documentary had a huge impact on me. Then hearing at song at the end was nearly enough to make me lose it completely. I said to my husband “that voice sounds familiar…” and before I could finish he said yes, it’s Pearl Jam and btw I have that album it’s really good. So I promptly spent the rest of the weekend listening to Backspacer. Then I realized we had a few albums and revisited the band, thinking how could I have not payed more attention over the years. All the shows I could have gone to! Argh! A friend/co-worker suggested I join the fan club (so hello everyone!). I’m still discovering new favourites and ironically, having rediscovered them in my 40s, with a PJ ballad, I now think my favourite tunes are the noisiest tunes! It’s encouraging to see the band still full of energy and enthusiasm for playing live because as far as concerts go, I have a lot of catching up to do!

I have since managed to catch one live show, and got to see Eddie on his recent Aussie solo tour. What made that last show special was I got to take my little brother, who had had a really crappy year getting divorced, struggling financially as a single dad, etc. I was in Australia to visit with my Mum during her chemo treatment. I didn’t catch Pearl Jam’s big day out show in Sydney, due to timing but but I popped up to see my brother and catch an EV solo show. Getting to share that show with my little bro was perfect.

Having enjoyed many Phish shows and road trips to see that band, it’s great to have found another band that doesn't rely on radio hit singles, videos, has the same loyal fan base and treats fans to a different set list each night. There really is a Pearl Jam song for any mood.

18th Pale Descendant

I remember seeing the Even Flow video in heavy rotation in early 1992, probably as a part of the MTV Buzz Bin. That did little for me, but I grew to love the Jeremy video that blew up that summer, and by September I had my grubby, 14-year-old hands on the Ten cassette.

Also in that Columbia House tape shipment: Badmotorfinger, Use Your Illusion I & II and And Justice For All. I already had acquired Nevermind earlier in 1992. I think Ten got the most play on my Sony Walkman, however, and the same was true of Vs. a year later, but by then I had a CD player!

KV4053

worked at a record store. Ten promo came in. took it home. life was never the same.

cojobo

Heard a cover of indifference by a local band at a school concert in 96. That led me to find out more on my 14.4 dial up modem and remember he Jeremy video on Much Music (when my town finally got it on cable - 1997 I think). borrowed Vitalogy from some schoolmates after hearing not for you at another show. Bought yield and remember the evolution video and bought the rest through the next few years until binaural and then took a little hiatus . living in rural Nova Scotia I didn't see them in concert until they came in 2005 (Halifax to the Max ...- get me another Keith's !) and then it caught me again after that show so I've been on board since then

DS80666

Roommate my freshman year of college had Ten. Have bought every album on release day since then. The rest is history. Definitely a life changing find! Thanks PJ!

ldent42

RunIntoTheRain said:

I love your story! Have a great time in Europe
=D>

Thank you!

ayashin716

Born in 1990, so I was too young to catch on in the beginning but growing up I would hear the hits on the radio and always enjoyed them. Then after seeing the story behind "Jeremy" and the music video on a VH1 special, I started exploring more and it's been all Pearl Jam since.

TT98

Was driving with my dad from BC to New Orleans to clean up after Hurricane Katrina. Gave me lots of time to listen to all the CDs I had. After I got through all the usual crap I used to listen to, I finally tried Pearl Jams RVM greatest hits that was sent to me as a free gift from Columbia House. Have been hooked instantly ever since, after going though the 2 disc set I made sure to buy all the studio ones I could find for way home. There was no doubt my dad was sick of them when we got back, but i still cant get enough. Thanks Pearl Jam ^:)^ Am now tempted to do the drive again for ACL...

Ty

February 1992, cousin's 18th, his friends playing Metallica, The Black Crowes, Nirvana and this new band called Pearl Jam ont he new CD player he got. As soon as "Ten" started I was in awe. Demanded my parents buy me the CD ASAP! I was 10 at the time.

DMvanHof

about 2.5 years ago I broke my arm in Italy when I was on a holiday with friends to go downhill mountainbiking. When I arrived at the hospital in Italy they told me they could not treat it right there since it was a complicated fracture. When I arrived back home the doctors told me I might not be able to fully extend or fully use my arm anymore, he said I would probably never be able to play guitar. Back then I was 22 years old and didn't play guitar but the not being able to fully extend my arm and use it feld horrible. Especially since I could not do any sports the following months I started to get bored and watch some movies.

Right at that time PJ20 was released, and I thought: "I got a few songs on my iPod from those guys and think they are pretty good so lets check that out". After watching PJ20 and especialy the "Black Unplugged" part, I sort of connected and feld some unresolved emotions from puberty came back up again. The amazing voice and pure emotion from eddie in that song just blew me away.

Before that I was never a huge music fan, but always liked to listen to music on the bus from school but never got this excited about something. Anyway I got my surgery and with some rehad and a lot of PJ music to discover I staid motivated and it turned out fine.

Half a year later I went to my first concert ever: Amsterdam 2, at some point during the concert I kept thinking this is unbelievable. It inspired me so much, I decided to buy a guitar and start to learn to play, and now go to around 10 concerts a year. I know it's cliché to say this but f*ck Pearl Jam changed my life.

Thinking back I still regret I had some songs on my iPod but was always too lazy to dive into the rest of their music