Pearl Jam Tour Dates

Bio

One of the most successful bands to come out of the early 90s Seattle grunge scene was, without a doubt, Pearl Jam. However, the group's combination of grunge, classic rock, and punk (along with Eddie Vedder's infamous vocals) made Pearl Jam stand out among bands like Nirvana and Soundgarden. 2011 marks the 20th anniversary of Pearl Jam and anniversary tour dates have been revealed alongside the announcement that Pearl Jam is heading to the studio.

Pearl Jam's debut album, Ten, was released in August of 1991 to a sleepy reception. Gossard and Ament (being the most accomplished musicians) pioneered much of the album, which showcased dark and heavy songs. Most of the Vedder's lyrics on the album dealt with themes of violence and isolation, most notably the Oedipal-inspired "Alive" and the suicide anthem "Jeremy". News of the album spread slowly, but by mid-1992 the album became a huge success, reaching #2 on the Billboard 200 and going gold (it has since gone platinum thirteen times). In no time at all, Pearl Jam was headlining tour dates in true rock star fashion.

While following up the success of an album like Ten would prove difficult for most bands, Pearl Jam was an exception to the rule. Vs. was released in October of 1993 and shot straight to the top of the charts. The release of the album broke a record for most copies of an album sold in the first week, a feat that would remain untouched for five years. Pearl Jam's 1994 album, Vitalogy, also became a huge success. Critics praised the sparse sound and raw musical style, and the album became one of the fastest selling records in history. It also won Pearl Jam their first -- and to date, only -- Grammy, winning Best Hard Rock Performance for "Spin the Black Circle".

After a string of commercially unsuccessful albums and hugely successful tour dates, Pearl Jam continued their return to fame with the release of their self-titled eighth album in 2006. It marked the group's return to the top of the charts and was compared to earlier albums like Ten and Vs. With the release of the album also came Pearl Jam's return to music festivals, as the group played a number of festival tour dates including Reading, Leeds, and Bonnaroo. Backspacer was released in 2009 and featured a more of a pop and new wave sound than previous records. Still, the album continued Pearl Jam's return to power and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200.

Fans are now anticipating the announcement of a release date for Pearl Jam's newest album, as well as upcoming anniversary concert dates. Tour dates in 2011 will kick off with a festival entitled "PJ20 Weekend," which will span September 3 and 4 in East Troy, Wisconsin. On September 7, Pearl Jam will begin playing the rest of their concert dates in Canada, including stops in Toronto, Ottawa, Saskatoon, and Calgary. The final tour date for 2011 will take place on September 25 in Vancouver, so fans should buy their tickets immediately.

Categories: Music | Alternative | Rock