I used to be a "casual fan." I was a freshman in college in 1991 when Ten and Nirvana Nevermind came out. I had a few PJ albums and liked them.
Then I got married to a girl who had seen them live many times, had met Ed in person and who idolized them. I went to see them live at the San Diego Sports Arena, then again in Mountain View, CA and then at the Santa Barbara Bowl, in the fog, with Chris Cornell as their guest. They played Temple of the Dog songs. As always, they kicked ass.
So it has evolved from there and even though my wife is now my ex wife, Pearl Jam is with me and will always be one of my favorite bands. Right now they are my favorite band and I will see them live as long as they are together.
San Diego 10/25/00, Mountain View 6/1/03, Santa Barbara 10/28/03, Northwest School 3/18/05, San Diego 7/7/06, Los Angeles 7/9/06, 7/10/06, Honolulu (U2) 12/9/06, Santa Barbara (EV) 4/10/08, Los Angeles (EV) 4/12/08, Hartford 6/27/08, Mansfield 6/28/08, VH1 Rock Honors The Who 7/12/08, Seattle 9/21/09, Universal City 9/30/09, 10/1/09, 10/6/09, 10/7/09, San Diego 10/9/09, Los Angeles (EV) 7/8/11, Santa Barbara (EV) 7/9/11, Chicago 7/19/13, San Diego 11/21/13, Los Angeles 11/23/13, 11/24/13, Oakland 11/26/13, Chicago 8/22/16, Missoula 8/13/18, Boston 9/2/18, Los Angeles 2/25/22 (EV), San Diego 5/3/22, Los Angeles 5/6/22, 5/7/22, Imola 6/25/22, Los Angeles 5/21/24, [London 6/29/24], [Boston 9/15/24]
I don't know what it is. I got "Ten" when i was fifteen from a mate in school. Within a week they were my favourite band. The early stuff to me has far more appeal.
I think Eddie has one of those voices. Its very rare to hear someone who has the confidence and natural ability to sing in their own voice. He knows his own range, and after blaring it out at concerts fro 12 years, his voice is as good as ever.
From the very first day i heard them i could connect with their songs.but of course ed's voice and the bands style..it all jusst came together and got to me...Pearl Jam is the only band that ive joined their fan club.I loved kiss and vanhalen when i was a teenager and lynard skynard and neil young,but i can honestly say..Pearl Jam is the only band That i ever just went crazy about .i mean i count the days to the release of each cd..all along knowing that i was going to connect to it ...pearl jam ...to hear them is to love them....on the other hand,...it might be the pearl jam i bought and had on my toast....seems i did REALLY LOVE them after that trip....
...It's only after disaster that we can be resurrected...
it's only after you've lost everything ...that you are free to do anything....(Fight Club)
i have millions of reasons but i'll just tell you the first five that come to mind
1. as others have said, even though there are so many fans like me, the songs feel like they are meant for me to hear. It's like it was fate that broght their beautiful art into my life.
2. it's comforting to know that this is something that can't be taken away from me. until i lose my memory i will always be able to hear Ed's voice in my mind.
3. Pearl Jam Live. i saw my first concert ever in September of last year, when i was 15. i had only ever heard a few songs by Pearl Jam like Alive, Evenflow, Jeremy and Last Kiss. i had no idea what the band was but once i saw them twice in one week i beleived in nothing but their music.
4. i have learned so much that most 16-year-olds arent lucky enough to know. school can't teach life but with Pearl Jam, Ed especially, it's like they're right beside me, helping me navigate whatever path i am on and helping me see the light that comes with the dark.
5. last but not least, i lost my father in a car accident when i was twelve and whenever i miss him, i can listen to Pearl Jam and feel close to him. The first time i heard Last Kiss was when my dad saw it on tv and was singing along. i had never heard of Pearl Jam but i loved that song for years. in a wierd way Ed is the closest thing i have to a father figure today. he's given me wisdom and taught me to love every person and every thing.
so if you read this whole entry, i am grateful for your interest. as well as your endurance, as i ramble on. thank you for this thread...it felt good to say all this. take care.
“I don't know what this means. I don't think it means anything.”
-Eddie Vedder
What makes me love pearl jam....that for every emotion i need dealing with there is a song avalable,and those songs are sang and played with a great love for music/words so the chilles run down my spine.The instruments(including eds vocals)touch my soul every time....i just cannot put them on and concentrate on other things....i keep finding myself listening only to the music and the words.....thats what makes PJ magical.
There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
only just joined this site.as a 50year old fan-id say everything about them is just amazing.theyve got the best set of songs on the planet-theyre just a very interesting band.the dvds are absolutely fantastic.ive liked them since the first album but not really bothered with them too much till recently,so its like discovering a new band.my favourite track off the new album is definately 'gone' followed by 'inside job.vedder is an absolute legend-for me hes surpassed even the great jim morrison.
tino-sheffield-england
the beauty that arises from the five/six-member conflict... PJ is made of 5 different people but they make very beautiful music! plus each song has a different insight. and not just any insight: their music deal with complex stuff that seem to solve all your problems. both musically and lyrically.
I have been a die hard fan since 91, and I love them more and more and more:
1) Their songs are life, not about having sex with your bitch, drinking whiskey, etc. They are about love, loss, war, depression, aloneness....all of which I have felt the effect of.
2) Their concerts are all different. If you see them 2 nights in a row, thier shows are very different....there is no "show."
3) They respect fans, and women in particular. We are not objects to get backstage....in most concerts they ask us to protect each other. They care.
4) They saved my life with their music. On more than 1 occasion.
Astoria 20/04/06, Leeds 25/08/06, Prague 22/09/06, Wembley 18/06/07,
Dusseldorf 21/06/07, Manchester 17/08/09, London 18/08/09, LA 06/10/09, LA 07/10/09.
Comments
and wonder how they didn't see it...E
Diversity
the fact that they're one of the few bands out there that walk the walk and talk the talk.
Then I got married to a girl who had seen them live many times, had met Ed in person and who idolized them. I went to see them live at the San Diego Sports Arena, then again in Mountain View, CA and then at the Santa Barbara Bowl, in the fog, with Chris Cornell as their guest. They played Temple of the Dog songs. As always, they kicked ass.
So it has evolved from there and even though my wife is now my ex wife, Pearl Jam is with me and will always be one of my favorite bands. Right now they are my favorite band and I will see them live as long as they are together.
It is sappy. It's also true for me too.
"New music, new friends. Pearl Jam."
I like our socks. I hear we make a fine sock. I always say, You might not love our records, but I think you'll like our socks. - Stone
"This record is us speaking out in class." -EV on PJ
Thanks for the validation.
Sarcasm is so hard to read.....:)
I swear, after my first Pearl Jam concert I was telling people it was the closest thing to a religious experience I'll ever have.
"New music, new friends. Pearl Jam."
I like our socks. I hear we make a fine sock. I always say, You might not love our records, but I think you'll like our socks. - Stone
"This record is us speaking out in class." -EV on PJ
Hooked On Phonics worked for me!
A whisper and a chill
adv2005
"Why do I bother?"
The 11th Commandment.
"Whatever"
PETITION TO STOP THE BAN OF SMOKING IN BARS IN THE UNITED STATES....Anyone?
I think Eddie has one of those voices. Its very rare to hear someone who has the confidence and natural ability to sing in their own voice. He knows his own range, and after blaring it out at concerts fro 12 years, his voice is as good as ever.
Respectin the P./J,S
it's only after you've lost everything ...that you are free to do anything....(Fight Club)
... I'll ride the wave...where it takes me....
It's for them. It's for us.
best band in the world:D
I'll Hold The Pain... Release...
Yourself
1. as others have said, even though there are so many fans like me, the songs feel like they are meant for me to hear. It's like it was fate that broght their beautiful art into my life.
2. it's comforting to know that this is something that can't be taken away from me. until i lose my memory i will always be able to hear Ed's voice in my mind.
3. Pearl Jam Live. i saw my first concert ever in September of last year, when i was 15. i had only ever heard a few songs by Pearl Jam like Alive, Evenflow, Jeremy and Last Kiss. i had no idea what the band was but once i saw them twice in one week i beleived in nothing but their music.
4. i have learned so much that most 16-year-olds arent lucky enough to know. school can't teach life but with Pearl Jam, Ed especially, it's like they're right beside me, helping me navigate whatever path i am on and helping me see the light that comes with the dark.
5. last but not least, i lost my father in a car accident when i was twelve and whenever i miss him, i can listen to Pearl Jam and feel close to him. The first time i heard Last Kiss was when my dad saw it on tv and was singing along. i had never heard of Pearl Jam but i loved that song for years. in a wierd way Ed is the closest thing i have to a father figure today. he's given me wisdom and taught me to love every person and every thing.
so if you read this whole entry, i am grateful for your interest. as well as your endurance, as i ramble on. thank you for this thread...it felt good to say all this. take care.
-Eddie Vedder
It was my pleasure...sometimes this message board is like a little bit of therapy!
-Eddie Vedder
Also, their concerts are incredible!
The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
tino-sheffield-england
- Ed's voice and charism.
- Amazing shows.
- Great musicians.
- Activism.
- Perfect lyrics.
They are the soundtrack of my life.
It's growing up just like me.
Pearl Jam loves women and believe women are people too!
Peace Love & Pearl Jam forever!!
1) Their songs are life, not about having sex with your bitch, drinking whiskey, etc. They are about love, loss, war, depression, aloneness....all of which I have felt the effect of.
2) Their concerts are all different. If you see them 2 nights in a row, thier shows are very different....there is no "show."
3) They respect fans, and women in particular. We are not objects to get backstage....in most concerts they ask us to protect each other. They care.
4) They saved my life with their music. On more than 1 occasion.
Dusseldorf 21/06/07, Manchester 17/08/09, London 18/08/09, LA 06/10/09, LA 07/10/09.
Ain't gonna be any middle anymore.
11/91 chicago
7/11/95 chicago
6/29/98 chicago
5/30/00 london UK
6/4/00 manchester UK
10/8/00 alpine valley
10/9/00 chicago
6/18/03 chicago
PLAY ALASKA U PUSSIES
Their conscious effort to right injustices...
Their selflessness
and most of all...
Their love for their fans!
But I'm not about to give thanks, or apologize