Category: Members

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.

Matt Cameron is an American musician, songwriter, and producer, best known as the drummer for the Seattle-based rock bands Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. He was born on November 28, 1962, in San Diego, California.

Cameron started playing drums at a young age and was influenced by jazz and progressive rock music. He moved to Seattle in the mid-1980s and joined the band Skin Yard, which released six albums between 1986 and 1993. In 1986, he also joined the iconic grunge band Soundgarden, replacing their original drummer, Scott Sundquist.

Cameron became a key member of Soundgarden, contributing to their signature sound with his powerful drumming and intricate rhythms. He played on all of their studio albums until their initial breakup in 1997, including the critically acclaimed albums “Badmotorfinger” and “Superunknown.”

In addition to his work with Soundgarden, Cameron has also been the drummer for Pearl Jam since 1998, replacing their original drummer, Dave Krusen. He has contributed to all of Pearl Jam’s studio albums since then, including their most recent album, “Gigaton,” released in 2020.

Cameron is known for his dynamic and inventive drumming style, incorporating elements of jazz, funk, and hard rock into his playing. He has also worked as a session musician and producer for various other artists over the years, including the Smashing Pumpkins, Queens of the Stone Age, and the Zac Brown Band.

In addition to his musical career, Cameron is also an advocate for environmental causes and has been involved in various charity events and benefit concerts over the years. He has also been a supporter of animal rights and has worked with organizations such as PETA and Farm Sanctuary.

In summary, Matt Cameron is a highly respected and influential drummer, songwriter, and producer who has played a significant role in the success of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. His powerful and inventive drumming style has helped to define the sound of grunge and alternative rock, and he has also worked with numerous other artists throughout his career. Cameron is also a committed environmentalist and animal rights activist, and has been involved in various social and political causes over the years.