Seattle & Pearl Jam Twenty Years On

Photograph by Dean Fox, Photolibrary

Twenty years ago this summer I was working for Microsoft Corporation. I experienced Seattle, Washington as a beautiful sprawling metropolis for the first time in the fall of 1992. Little did I realize it would become the most visited city (exclusive of New York City) I would travel to and cherish in the United States. I have been to Seattle 14 times in the past 20 years. Seattle is an exciting and vibrant place to experience. I developed an affinity for Pearl Jam that year as their album, Ten was gaining momentum in parallel to my new career. The city was living and breathing a unique music art form that Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Soundgarden were evidencing to the world.

I love travelling back to Seattle and visiting the Experience Music  Project, a Rock and Roll Museum in Seattle Center, next to the Space Needle and Seattle Center Monorail. The architecture of the building is amazing. The exhibits give extensive information about the Seattle music scene. It cements the understanding and the linkage Seattle, Washington has with rock music history. We are members of this museum and love the affinity we have with the art and pop culture it expounds.

I have spent time with the music and history of Pearl Jam. We had intended to attend the premier of the Cameron Crowe documentary Pearl Jam Twenty but Snowtober disrupted our plans by knocking out the power to the theater in our market. Biding my time I took advantage of my Barnes & Noble Christmas gift card that my loving wife gave me. I purchased the Pearl Jam Twenty book(at a 60% discount!) and the companion DVD. This will be my weekend music sojourn. I look forward to digging in deep to learn more about the musical evolution of Pearl Jam and the music of related groups in Seattle.

It’s time!