Eddie Vedder, Pearl Jam’s frontman, has accomplished a lot in his career. He is a well-known character in contemporary rock, thanks to the power of his gravelly vocals and the series of legendary tunes generated by his band. Pearl Jam, like all greats, has remained relevant for more than 30 years after their debut.
Whether it’s early hits like ‘Even Flow‘ and ‘Jeremy‘ or his most current album, Earthling, Vedder has demonstrated that he is a brilliant songwriter. He has also explored a wide range of issues, from the horror surrounding a real-life high school suicide to private homage to his late buddy and hero, Tom Petty.
Eddie Vedder, like all of his Seattle neighbors, has a firm grasp on himself and the world. This means that Pearl Jam’s frontman knows exactly what he likes and dislikes in music. Vedder may be an easygoing everyman, but he is not afraid to deliver searing judgments of individuals he considers artistically shallow.
Vedder and his uniquely Generation X friends in the grunge movement despised and considered the opposite of 1980s glam metal. Mötley Crüe, a Los Angeles band, has received the greatest criticism for being misogynistic and vapid. Kurt Cobain, leader of Nirvana, was a well-known critic of the ‘Kickstart My Heart‘ group, referring to their era as the “grossest” in music history.
Eddie Vedder’s situation has remained the same. In a 2022 interview with The New York Times, Pearl Jam’s frontman explained why he despises glam metal, specifically Mötley Crue. He explained, “You know, I used to work in San Diego hauling gear at a club. I’d end up at shows I wouldn’t have wanted to attend (from bands who dominated late-1980s MTV). Also, I disliked the metal bands that I’m trying to be kind about.
The grunge legend went on to say, “I hated ‘Girls, Girls, Girls’ and Mötley Crüe.” I despised the way it made the guys appear. I despised the way it made the women look. It felt so empty. Guns N’ Roses came out, and thank goodness they had some teeth.”
In reaction, Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx resorted to Twitter to deliver a blistering critique of Pearl Jam. He wrote: “It made me laugh today to read how much the singer of Pearl Jam despised Mötley Crüe. Now, given that they’re one of the most boring bands in history, isn’t that a compliment?
