PEARL JAM
Pearl Jam was formed after lead singer, Andrew Wood, of "Mother Love Bone" died of a heroin overdose. The remaining members, with the addition of Mike McCready on lead guitar, recorded a demo with Matt Cameron on drums. The demo made its way into the hands of Eddie Vedder, who at the time was a surf bum in San Diego. Vedder overdubbed some vocals onto the tracks and was signed on as lead vocal once the band heard the new tracks. Pearl Jam was originally called "Mookie Blaylock," named after the NBA player.
Dave Krusen was hired as full time drummer and the band renamed themselves Pearl Jam. In 1991 the band released their amazing first album "Ten." Also, in '91 most of the band played on the Andrew wood tribute project entitled "Temple of the Dog." "Ten" wasn't a huge hit right away, it wasn't until Nirvana and the whole grunge movement that the album started to sell in mass quantities.
In 1992-93 Pearl Jam changed drummers to Dave Abbruzzese, Stone Gossard started his side project, "Brand," and they released their second multi-platinum album, "Vs." In 1994 Pearl Jam began their dispute with Ticket Master. When Pearl Jam wasn't successful with their unfair business practices suit they opted instead to play small venues and colleges. In '94 the band also release "Vitalogy," their third mult-platinum album.
In 1995 Mike McCready did a side project with Lane Staley entitled "Mad Season." In 1996 Pearl Jam released a somewhat unsatisfying album called "No Code." 1998 the band released "Yield," which received some enthusiastic reviews. They also changed drummers again to Matt Cameron from Soundgarden.
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