When did Pearl Jam's "Ten" really get huge?

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

Was it 1991 or 1992? I'm trying to get some things in chronological order. Thanks.

― Nigel (Nigel), Sunday, 13 November 2005 18:55 (twenty years ago)

1992

― 'Twan (miccio), Sunday, 13 November 2005 19:05 (twenty years ago)

It didn't even get awarded a gold record until Feb. '92. The RIAA database is great for stuff like that.

― 'Twan (miccio), Sunday, 13 November 2005 19:06 (twenty years ago)

Though it is imperfect. According to them Vs. got its gold and 5-times multiplatinum awards on the same day. Zoom!

― 'Twan (miccio), Sunday, 13 November 2005 19:08 (twenty years ago)

Rad, thanks.

― Nigel (Nigel), Sunday, 13 November 2005 19:14 (twenty years ago)

How have I never seen this site? Thanks so much 'Twan!

― matt2 (matt2), Monday, 14 November 2005 14:55 (twenty years ago)

I recall Pearl Jam appearing on SNL in 1992 (April 11th, says wikipedia) and one of the other guys in my residence sneered "Pearl Jam, who the hell are they?" If that can be taken as indicative of the slow build the band had, I dunno.

― gspm (gspm), Monday, 14 November 2005 17:33 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, I remember reading once that although Ten was released in Aug. 91 (a month before Nevermind), "Alive" didn't take off on the radio and have a video out until about November (and my memory of not hearing it until around Christmas lines up with that).

― Al (sitcom), Monday, 14 November 2005 17:53 (twenty years ago)

I remember reading Voice articles about them, and hearing the "Alive" single on a mid-size alternative station late in '91, but it wasn't until the "Even Flow" / "Jeremy" singles were released in '92 that they started to pick up momentum.

Per Al's xpost Wikipedia has Ten's release date as 8/27/91. Nevermind = 9/10/91.

― Edward III (edward iii), Monday, 14 November 2005 18:06 (twenty years ago)

I'm pretty sure they weren't officially huge until at least the '92 VMAs (early September '92), because that was the first time I ever heard Pearl Jam. Also when MTV started playing the "Hunger Strike" video that summer, which I'm pretty sure was filmed over a year prior, that also made it sort of official.

― billstevejim (billstevejim), Monday, 14 November 2005 22:36 (twenty years ago)

IIRC, they performed Jeremy on the VMAs, and that was their 3rd single off Ten. They had to have been selling some serious records to justify a third single. Although the VMAs may have made them a household word.

― Edward III (edward iii), Monday, 14 November 2005 22:47 (twenty years ago)

Although the VMAs may have made them a household word

Maybe, but it was Lollapalooza (Summer 1992) what blew 'em up.

(Though "Alive" got pretty steady MTV play from Q4 1991 through Q2 1992.)

― rogermexico (rogermexico), Monday, 14 November 2005 22:58 (twenty years ago)

Yes, "Jeremy" on the VMA's was the first Pearl Jam song I ever heard. I chose this moment mostly because of the usage of "huge." I'm assuming the boost in sales after this TV appearance is what switched them from rising stars to a "huge" band.

― billstevejim (billstevejim), Monday, 14 November 2005 23:05 (twenty years ago)

Lollapalooza makes sense.

― billstevejim (billstevejim), Monday, 14 November 2005 23:06 (twenty years ago)

IIRC Vedder on the cover of time happened around the same time as the VMAs, too

― Al (sitcom), Monday, 14 November 2005 23:18 (twenty years ago)

I wish they'd reshow the entirety of the 1992 MTV Music Awards. "Hi, Axl!" thanking Goebbels, the Red Hot Chili Peppers having a party, Bryan Adams, Garth drumming with U2, all that shit.

― 'Twan (miccio), Monday, 14 November 2005 23:18 (twenty years ago)

They wanted to open with "Smells Like Teen Spirit" but Nirvana didn't wanna so they chose the Black Crowes' "Remedy"!

― 'Twan (miccio), Monday, 14 November 2005 23:19 (twenty years ago)

yeah 92 VMAs were really the bomb.

― Al (sitcom), Monday, 14 November 2005 23:21 (twenty years ago)

Also...Fartman!

― 'Twan (miccio), Monday, 14 November 2005 23:25 (twenty years ago)

The people Nirvana beat for "Best New Artist" were Tori Amos, Arrested Development and Cracker.

― 'Twan (miccio), Monday, 14 November 2005 23:26 (twenty years ago)

Nah, they were already huge by the time Lollapallooza was happening. I knew people who wanted to go specifically because of Pearl Jam and the RHCP.

And that date for Nevermind is wrong, it should be Sept 24, 1991.

― Vic Funk, Monday, 14 November 2005 23:56 (twenty years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.