With the reduced touring schedule and lack of new music, it seems like a valid question. I still prefer to think the latter. I’ll let you experts weigh in...
Well at my job I have to show up and put in 8 hours a day. At this point they could never pick up a guitar again and even their grandkids wouldn't have to find a real job.
I’m sure it’s a mixture of both. I’m sure they all love music and making music, but obviously money will always be a factor. I’m sure they all have a lifestyle they have grown accustom to, which means, like all of us, the money needs to keep coming in to support it. Good news is, they put their heart and souls into every single performance they ever put on so whatever their driving force is, it’s still an amazing experience for all of us.
I’m sure it’s a mixture of both. I’m sure they all love music and making music, but obviously money will always be a factor. I’m sure they all have a lifestyle they have grown accustom to, which means, like all of us, the money needs to keep coming in to support it. Good news is, they put their heart and souls into every single performance they ever put on so whatever their driving force is, it’s still an amazing experience for all of us.
Agreed! They definitely perform with fire in their bellies.
I think it's a fun job for the band and Ed has the most fun with it, as shown by his buskering last year. They probably feel guilt to keep going now for the passionate fans more so than any passion on their end.
^ Ed does seem to be having a lot of fun at this stage of his career. I would hope they still have passion for the creative process and enjoy performing together. I’m sure it’s tougher to find the sparks to write music after 25 years but hopefully they have the desire and it’s not obligatory to keep the fans happy.
Stemming off your question.. Does anyone think they would ever definitively mark an album as their last? (Album can be replaced by tour too for conversations sake)
Pittsburgh 2013 Cincinnati 2014 Greenville 2016 (Raleigh 2016) Columbia 2016
I think music in general for all the members is the passion. Pearl Jam being their main gig but they all have side/solo projects that they work on. If you include all those, they’ve never really stopped working. In the beginning I’m sure it was pure passion that was the leading force for what they did. I believe it still is, but they’re at a more mature spot in their career. They all have families which I’m sure is their main focus. To be honest if they said at this point they will be disbanding, I’d be ok with it. I’d take that over them becoming a Rolling Stones or something. They’re 10 albums + b-sides is a body of work that has made them one of the greatest rock bands in history. If you think about it, how many bands can say they’re still together after this many years. Either they’ve broken up or members have died. Bands that were able to avoid that are rare. Only a few exist today. Is it better to put out album after album whether or not it’s even good? I want more Ed solo.
I think music in general for all the members is the passion. Pearl Jam being their main gig but they all have side/solo projects that they work on. If you include all those, they’ve never really stopped working. In the beginning I’m sure it was pure passion that was the leading force for what they did. I believe it still is, but they’re at a more mature spot in their career. They all have families which I’m sure is their main focus. To be honest if they said at this point they will be disbanding, I’d be ok with it. I’d take that over them becoming a Rolling Stones or something. They’re 10 albums + b-sides is a body of work that has made them one of the greatest rock bands in history. If you think about it, how many bands can say they’re still together after this many years. Either they’ve broken up or members have died. Bands that were able to avoid that are rare. Only a few exist today. Is it better to put out album after album whether or not it’s even good? I want more Ed solo.
U2 is the main one that comes to mind...and R.E.M. put in their 30 years and decided to bow out gracefully.
Passion from the fans is what keeps bringing them back.
I think so too. I don’t want them to stop making music but if one day they decide the time has come, then let it be. I’d rather they be remembered for quality rather than quantity. They’ll never catch up to Neil anyway.
I think it's a fun job for the band and Ed has the most fun with it, as shown by his buskering last year. They probably feel guilt to keep going now for the passionate fans more so than any passion on their end.
Seems likely that the more they allow their distance from each other (personal time), the more they enjoy doing it again. The venues are still packed, the fans sing along to half the songs (if not more), and there's genuine appreciation reciprocated at the shows.
I couldn't imagine holding a single job for that long, but they've found ways to keep it interesting for both us and themselves (i.e. setlists, recent full album shows, guest appearances, etc).
I'm happy with them doing what they need to do so they don't burn out or call it quits, good thing is there's hope for a busy 2018.
They haven't pulled the "last tour" BS, and I'd assume that's when it truly becomes a "job" for them.
Passion. These guys all have side projects that allow them to explore creative passion outside of PJ. Then when with PJ...damn the few shows they do play per year are on fire. You can’t put on shows that way without passion IMO. Watch Mike during Masters of War at Wrigley. Or Matt during MYM. These guys clearly have passion.
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At this point they could never pick up a guitar again and even their grandkids wouldn't have to find a real job.
Cincinnati 2014
Greenville 2016
(Raleigh 2016)
Columbia 2016
astoria 06
albany 06
hartford 06
reading 06
barcelona 06
paris 06
wembley 07
dusseldorf 07
nijmegen 07
this song is meant to be called i got shit,itshould be called i got shit tickets-hartford 06 -
I would guess 40% passion, 30% charitable and 30% job.
I imagine some fans hurt they're passion but inevitably it's fans that fuel it.
I love this god forsaken place.
Cincinnati 2014
Greenville 2016
(Raleigh 2016)
Columbia 2016
I think music in general for all the members is the passion. Pearl Jam being their main gig but they all have side/solo projects that they work on. If you include all those, they’ve never really stopped working. In the beginning I’m sure it was pure passion that was the leading force for what they did. I believe it still is, but they’re at a more mature spot in their career. They all have families which I’m sure is their main focus. To be honest if they said at this point they will be disbanding, I’d be ok with it. I’d take that over them becoming a Rolling Stones or something. They’re 10 albums + b-sides is a body of work that has made them one of the greatest rock bands in history. If you think about it, how many bands can say they’re still together after this many years. Either they’ve broken up or members have died. Bands that were able to avoid that are rare. Only a few exist today. Is it better to put out album after album whether or not it’s even good? I want more Ed solo.
Those that can be trusted can change their mind.
matt- passion
ed-both
stone-no one will ever know
jeff-both
boom-passion
I couldn't imagine holding a single job for that long, but they've found ways to keep it interesting for both us and themselves (i.e. setlists, recent full album shows, guest appearances, etc).
I'm happy with them doing what they need to do so they don't burn out or call it quits, good thing is there's hope for a busy 2018.
They haven't pulled the "last tour" BS, and I'd assume that's when it truly becomes a "job" for them.
My passion for the band has decreased. They don't come around and see me as much as they used to, so I've started seeing other bands. I feel dirty.
pearl jam is their job
'06: Irving Plaza, East Rutherford 1 & 2 '07: Lolla '08: Camden 2, MSG2, Beacon
'09 :Philly 1 & 2 '10: Buffalo, Newark, MSG1, MSG2
'11: PJ20 1 & 2 '12: Missoula '13: Wrigley, BK2, Philly 1 & 2, Hartford
'14: Ams 1 & 2, Cincy, St Louis, Detroit, Moline '15: Central Park
'16 Philly 1 & 2, MSG 1 & 2, Toronto 1 & 2, Fenway 1, Wrigley 1
'17 Brooklyn hall of fame ‘18 Fenway 1
'06: Irving Plaza, East Rutherford 1 & 2 '07: Lolla '08: Camden 2, MSG2, Beacon
'09 :Philly 1 & 2 '10: Buffalo, Newark, MSG1, MSG2
'11: PJ20 1 & 2 '12: Missoula '13: Wrigley, BK2, Philly 1 & 2, Hartford
'14: Ams 1 & 2, Cincy, St Louis, Detroit, Moline '15: Central Park
'16 Philly 1 & 2, MSG 1 & 2, Toronto 1 & 2, Fenway 1, Wrigley 1
'17 Brooklyn hall of fame ‘18 Fenway 1