Temple of the Dog

Jeff Ament is an American musician, songwriter, and artist, best known as the bassist and founding member of the Seattle-based rock band Pearl Jam. He was born on March 10, 1963, in Havre, Montana.

Ament’s early musical influences came from the punk rock scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s, particularly the bands Black Flag and the Minutemen. He played bass in various punk bands throughout his youth, including Deranged Diction and Rottweiler.

In 1987, Ament moved to Seattle and became involved in the city’s emerging music scene. He formed the band Green River with future members of Pearl Jam, Mark Arm and Stone Gossard, and contributed bass and songwriting to the band’s two EPs and one full-length album. After Green River disbanded in 1988, Ament and Gossard formed the band Mother Love Bone with vocalist Andrew Wood, which released one album, “Apple,” in 1990.

Following Wood’s death from a drug overdose in 1990, Ament and Gossard formed Pearl Jam with vocalist Eddie Vedder and guitarist Mike McCready. The band released their debut album, “Ten,” in 1991, which became a commercial and critical success and helped to popularize grunge music in the early 1990s.

Ament has continued to play bass and contribute songwriting to Pearl Jam throughout their career, which has spanned over three decades and produced over ten studio albums. He is known for his melodic basslines and innovative use of effects pedals, which have helped to shape the sound of alternative and grunge rock.

In addition to his work with Pearl Jam, Ament has also been involved in various side projects and collaborations over the years. He formed the band Three Fish with musician Robbi Robb in the mid-1990s, which released two albums. He has also released several solo albums and worked as a producer for other artists, including the Afghan Whigs and Joseph Arthur.

Outside of music, Ament is also a visual artist and has created numerous album covers, concert posters, and other artwork for Pearl Jam and other bands. He is a co-founder of the skateboarding company Skate Mental and has designed skateboards and other merchandise for the company.

Ament has been open about his struggles with addiction and mental health and has been an advocate for various social and political causes over the years. He has been involved in various charity events and benefit concerts and has spoken out in support of issues such as environmentalism and gun control.

In summary, Jeff Ament is a highly respected and influential bassist, songwriter, and artist who has played a significant role in the success of Pearl Jam and the Seattle music scene. His bass playing is characterized by melodic and innovative lines, and his songwriting has helped shape the sound of alternative and grunge rock. He is also a talented visual artist and has been an advocate for various social and political causes over the years.

Eddie Vedder is an American musician, singer, and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the iconic Seattle-based rock band, Pearl Jam. He was born on December 23, 1964, in Evanston, Illinois.

Vedder first gained widespread recognition in 1991, when he was recruited to join Pearl Jam, who were then known as Mookie Blaylock. He quickly became a key member of the band, contributing his unique vocal style and poignant lyrics to their signature sound. Pearl Jam went on to become one of the most successful and influential rock bands of the 1990s and beyond, with over 85 million records sold worldwide.

In addition to his work with Pearl Jam, Vedder was also a key figure in the creation of the tribute album “Temple of the Dog.” The album was recorded in 1990, prior to the formation of Pearl Jam, and was a collaboration between different close friends of Andy Wood in the notable Seattle music scene, including Mother Love Bone members as well as Soundgarden. Eddie Vedder had just moved to Seattle and was in the new band from Gossard and Ament. The album was created as a tribute to Andrew Wood, the lead singer of the band Mother Love Bone, who had passed away earlier that year from a drug overdose.

Vedder contributed vocals to several tracks on the album, including the hit single “Hunger Strike,” which became a radio staple and helped to introduce Vedder’s distinctive voice to a wider audience. The album was a critical and commercial success, and is now widely regarded as a classic of the grunge era.

Vedder continued to work on various side projects and collaborations over the years, including the soundtrack for the film “Into the Wild,” which he released as a solo album in 2007. He has also been an outspoken advocate for various political and social causes, including environmentalism and human rights.

In summary, Eddie Vedder is a highly respected and influential musician, singer, and songwriter who has played a significant role in the success of Pearl Jam and the broader Seattle music scene. His work on the “Temple of the Dog” album helped to establish him as a rising star in the industry, and his powerful and emotive vocal style has continued to captivate audiences around the world. Vedder is also known for his activism and philanthropy, and has been a vocal supporter of various social and political causes throughout his career.

Mike McCready is an American musician, songwriter, and producer best known as the lead guitarist and founding member of the Seattle-based rock band Pearl Jam. He was born on April 5, 1966, in Pensacola, Florida, but grew up in Seattle, Washington.

McCready’s interest in music began at a young age, and he started playing guitar in his teenage years. In the mid-1980s, he became a part of the Seattle music scene and formed the band Shadow with vocalist Chris Friel. The band played around the Seattle area and released one EP before disbanding.

After Shadow disbanded, McCready joined the band Pearl Jam in 1990, which was formed by his former bandmate Jeff Ament and vocalist Eddie Vedder. The band released their debut album, “Ten,” in 1991, which became one of the most successful albums of the grunge era. McCready’s guitar work on the album, particularly on songs such as “Alive” and “Even Flow,” helped establish him as one of the most talented and innovative guitarists of his generation.

McCready has continued to play lead guitar and contribute songwriting to Pearl Jam throughout their career, which has spanned over three decades and produced over ten studio albums. He is known for his expressive and emotive guitar solos, which often incorporate elements of blues, psychedelia, and classic rock.

In addition to his work with Pearl Jam, McCready has also been involved in various side projects and collaborations over the years. He formed the supergroup Mad Season with members of Alice in Chains and the Screaming Trees in the mid-1990s, which released one album, “Above,” in 1995. He has also released a solo albums, “Music for Film” (2016), which is available only as a super limited edition vynil, and has worked as a producer and guest musician for several other artists.

McCready has been open about his struggles with addiction and mental health, and has been an advocate for various social and environmental causes over the years. He is a member of the MusiCares MAP Fund Advisory Board, which provides addiction recovery support for musicians, and has been involved in various charity events and benefit concerts.

In summary, Mike McCready is a highly influential and talented guitarist, songwriter, and producer who has played a key role in the success of Pearl Jam and the Seattle music scene. His guitar work is characterized by his expressive and emotive solos, and his songwriting has helped shape the sound of alternative and grunge rock.

Stone Gossard is an American musician, songwriter, and producer best known as the rhythm guitarist and founding member of the Seattle-based rock bands Pearl Jam and Temple of the Dog. He was born on July 20, 1966, in Seattle, Washington.

Gossard’s interest in music began at a young age, and he started playing guitar in his teenage years. In the mid-1980s, he became a part of the Seattle music scene and formed the band Green River with fellow musicians Jeff Ament and Mark Arm. The band is often credited as one of the pioneers of the grunge genre, and they released two EPs before breaking up in 1987.

After Green River disbanded, Gossard and Ament formed the band Mother Love Bone with vocalist Andrew Wood. The band released one album, “Apple,” in 1990, but Wood died of a drug overdose shortly before its release. In tribute to Wood, Gossard, Ament, and members of Soundgarden formed Temple of the Dog and released a self-titled album in 1991.

Gossard then joined forces with singer Eddie Vedder, who had recently moved to Seattle, to form Pearl Jam. The band released their debut album, “Ten,” in 1991, which became one of the most successful albums of the grunge era. Gossard continued to play rhythm guitar and contribute songwriting to Pearl Jam throughout their career, which has spanned over three decades and produced over ten studio albums.

In addition to his work with Pearl Jam and Temple of the Dog, Gossard has also been involved in various side projects and collaborations over the years. He has released three solo albums, “Bayleaf” (2001), “Moonlander” (2013), and “Every Other Day” (2021), and has worked as a producer for several bands, including Brad and The Afghan Whigs.

Gossard’s guitar work is characterized by his use of heavy, distorted riffs and solos, often with a bluesy or psychedelic influence. He is also known for his songwriting skills, having contributed some of Pearl Jam’s most iconic songs, such as “Alive,” “Black,” and “Daughter.”

In addition to his musical career, Gossard has been involved in various philanthropic and environmental causes. He co-founded the non-profit organization Vitalogy Foundation in 2006, which supports various charitable and environmental organizations, and has been a vocal advocate for climate action.

In summary, Stone Gossard is a highly influential and respected figure in the Seattle music scene and the wider rock genre. He has played a key role in the success of both Pearl Jam and Temple of the Dog, and his guitar work and songwriting have had a significant impact on the grunge sound.

Chris Cornell was an American singer, songwriter, and musician, best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the iconic Seattle-based rock band Soundgarden. He was born on July 20, 1964, in Seattle, Washington.

Cornell started his music career in the 1980s as a member of the Seattle-based band The Shemps, which also included future Soundgarden members Matt Cameron and Ben Shepherd. In 1984, he joined Soundgarden, which became one of the pioneers of the grunge movement in the 1990s.

Cornell’s powerful and distinctive voice, combined with his introspective and poetic lyrics, made him one of the most iconic and influential singers of his generation. He wrote many of Soundgarden’s biggest hits, including “Black Hole Sun,” “Spoonman,” and “Fell on Black Days,” among others.

In addition to his work with Soundgarden, Cornell also had a successful solo career, releasing several albums that showcased his versatility as a songwriter and musician. He also collaborated with other musicians, including members of Rage Against the Machine, Pearl Jam, and Temple of the Dog, a supergroup that he formed in 1990 to honor the memory of his friend Andrew Wood, the late lead singer of the band Mother Love Bone.

Cornell’s talent and influence were recognized by his peers and the music industry, earning him numerous accolades throughout his career, including multiple Grammy Awards. He was also known for his philanthropic work, supporting various charities and social causes, including the fight against homelessness and hunger.

Tragically, Cornell passed away on May 18, 2017, at the age of 52. His sudden and unexpected death shocked the music world and left a void that is still felt today. However, his music and legacy continue to inspire and influence new generations of musicians and fans.