Was your first pearl jam show an infamous one?

CantKeepmedown

9/26/1996

Probably not infamous, but their first and only trip to Maine and Dennis Rodman was in the house. And a sweet, solo Patriot to close the show

TA243471

SVRDhand13 said:

TA243471 said:

It was for me.  2006 Gorge 1.  Got Dirty Frank at my first show!

My first show was the day after!  Night 1 looked great but there was no way I could make it.  I have a feeling Dirty Frank is getting played again in 2024.  

Well, hopefully it is at one of the ones I am going to!!!

covered in bliss

Soldier Field  - the Ticketmaster debacle. The venue didn't sell alcohol, which was bizarre.

Leezestarr313

Nov 3rd 1996, Berlin. I think it was pretty iconic Then I didn't see them again until 2009.

D-Rod

Toronto 1996,  great show but not infamous. 

YourDirtisMyfood

There's gotta be someone who's first show was Indio, 1993.  Shoe the Shoeless.  You know, because your dirt is....ah nevermind.

OnWis97

Infamous? Not really. But it was the Milwaukee 1995 show where the Neil Diamond impersonator (and wife) "Thunder and Lighting" covered Forever in Blue Jeans. 

Clips of the show ended up in a documentary: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1152789/ about Thunder and Lightning.

Jcanr20

Moline.

i am a target

San Diego '98 with the "save the flag" rant in RITFW.

i am a target

nooram said:

It was August of '91 and I was visiting my brother who lives in Mukilteo, WA. I had the Mother Love Bone album and knew, from Rolling Stone, of a new band forming from their remnants. My brother had heard of a free show so we went down to the Mural Amphitheater and experienced their awesomeness. I was hooked.

Mukileto in '91? That place must have been isolated as hell back then.

go pre

East Troy 2000 - The Ice Bowl

washed in black

mcgruff10 said:

washed in black said:

seanwon said:

washed in black said:

Not infamous, but I did see Crazy Mary as the opening song at my first show - Spectrum 4.28.03. Per livefootsteps, that happened one other time.

I was at the other one, MSG 2003 I think.

We tried so hard to get tix to those shows at MSG in July, but could not. Ended up getting tix to Holmdel in a drop.

IMO you got the better show.

Agreed. It's such an underrated show.

rahjiim

I don't know, I don't really remember. Roskilde 1992. I don't remember much of Nirwana that day either. 

Salt_life23

Wrigley 2013 was my first show. 

elvistheking44

covered in bliss said:

Soldier Field  - the Ticketmaster debacle. The venue didn't sell alcohol, which was bizarre.

Really?! I was a total pot head only then and didn’t touch alcohol. I had no clue they didn’t sell alcohol that night!

bootlegger10

darwinstheory said:

Chicago 98 - the poster is a big one. I still want it.

Same show.  You can see my avatar is the ticket stub.

hadfiiw

Charlotte 96. Drove up from Atlanta using Mapquest directions.

Ben Harper to open, HUGE crowd on the floor with everybody moving back, in sequence, when Ed asked (still one of the coolest things I have seen as were were far up in the stands when it happened). "Jesse Helm's going away party" with a speech by Gloria Steinem.

Opened up with "Long Road". One of the greatest posters by Emek

mcgruff10

hadfiiw said:

Charlotte 96. Drove up from Atlanta using Mapquest directions.

Ben Harper to open, HUGE crowd on the floor with everybody moving back, in sequence, when Ed asked (still one of the coolest things I have seen as were were far up in the stands when it happened). "Jesse Helm's going away party" with a speech by Gloria Steinem.

Opened up with "Long Road". One of the greatest posters by Emek

I love the photo from that show in place/date!  To get in the time machine and do that whole east coast leg would be amazing.

JimmyV

Salt_life23 said:

Wrigley 2013 was my first show. 

Among the most memorable shows they have ever played. 

Of The Aggie

My first show was the Dallas 98 show where Dennis Rodman showed up. The merch lines were a mess and I really wanted one of the posters but gave up. Now I really wish I had persevered, I love that poster!

PureandEasy

I believe every first show for people on this board was certainly memorable.  It had to have been or they would no longer be here.

For me it was August 28, 1998, Camden, NJ.  It was disgustingly hot and muggy.  I left there drenched in sweat, my long hair soaking wet.  I was on a high I never felt before, not drug or alcohol induced.

As we left the show into the parking lot, people were selling bootleg t-shirts.  I remember trying to haggle with the bootleggers and just as I bought a t-shirt, the cops came up and stopped the illegal sale. 

We ran away as the cops approached and it was exhilarating.  I felt like a teenager again. 

And my life has never been the same. 

Oh and they opened with Release.  Does that qualify as infamous???

ST66483

Not infamous, but memorable as others have said. Barrie 98 was my first show. Had tried to get tickets on earlier tours and struck out, and wasn’t 10c then. Given the wait, the opening lines of Corduroy seemed particularly fitting. Great show with a surprisingly large pit.

YAKIMATSU

Soldier Field!  Scored the tye dye T outside after the show.  Got tickets from the classifieds because some kid apparently used her aunts credit card without their knowledge to purchase.  Thank you Stephanie Kagy, the name on my tickets, wherever you are.

CarryTheZero

hadfiiw said:

Charlotte 96. Drove up from Atlanta using Mapquest directions.

Ben Harper to open, HUGE crowd on the floor with everybody moving back, in sequence, when Ed asked (still one of the coolest things I have seen as were were far up in the stands when it happened). "Jesse Helm's going away party" with a speech by Gloria Steinem.

Opened up with "Long Road". One of the greatest posters by Emek

Nice memory! My buddy and I managed to walk onto the field and into the smaller GA section. Not sure if we were supposed to be there or not. The Fastbacks opened followed by Harper and the IC. Had no idea who they were, but that show made me an immediate fan!

I remember turning around to watch the main crowd behind us move back when Ed asked.

Oh how I wished I was into the merch and had bought a poster. 

BALLBOY

Yamrider said:

Eastern Creek Raceway, Australia 1995, often talked as legendary show. (I wish I had a time machine).
I was from UK backpacking. Went with a fellow backpacker who was staying at the same backpackers hostel.
He was called Co (Nick). When we first met briefly he had a pearl jam t-shirt, I said 'Noooo....a pearl jam t shirt'!!!... (meaning amazing to meet someone else as mad as me about Pearl Jam).

Anyway about a week later I said you've not worn your pearl jam t shirt again, and he said when you said nooo a pearl jam t shirt I thought you didn't like them so I've not worn it.
I explained and we had a good laugh about it over a few beers and were from then on constantly talking anything pearl jam. He had a guitar and could play a few songs too.
Special times.

My first show as well & it was memorable beyond belief & infamous for rough it was when The Meanies came on. I picked up this girl who was getting crushed & got her the hell out of there 

KK257911

Virginia Beach, 2000
I do not think we will ever know how close Pearl Jam was to never taking the stage again after Roskilde.  
So, for well-documented reasons - I believe it was one of the most important shows in the history of the band.  
Personally, it was a long time coming having been a fan since '91.

PJ_Soul

KN219077 said:

Loujoe said:

KN219077 said:

Not infamous but Missoula 2012 had its moments!

Sure did. Waited all night for rail. Scored a kapow pick. Plus tiny venue. Ev was sick...nice Jeff speech...ev talk about being in the sauna with a couple guys...funny. Great time.
Plus, you know, just being in MT. My first time in missoula. 

I was way up in the back where it was qbout 90 degrees but enjoyed every minute of it. The acoustic set was amazing and I still listen to that fortunate son often. Best version.

I got the flu literally on my way to the airport for that show, and was down on the GA floor. I remember Mudhoney was so loud that people started leaving the building, and it made me want to puke, lol. I don't know wtf that was about, but I was glad PJ didn't have the same problem. Once they came on I forget all about my flu... I feel bad though. I  learned later that I was patient zero at that show. Sorry.

Who I Am

State College '03 = SOLD

nstokes

mine was the show at Golden Gate Park in SF where EV was sick and had to step out after just a few songs... then Uncle Neil joined and they ripped through Mirror Ball.

Vikkivale

I think my first show qualifies as legendary! Boston Garden 4/11/1994...The Eddie smashing a hole through the stage show. I was blown away at the time and 26 PJ shows later, it's still my favorite.