My introduction to Pearl Jam began in the hot weight room as a varsity football coach in 1992. The boys’ last session each day was in the weight room for about an hour. The school had bought a sound system for the room to keep spirits high and motivated. I would “bark” out instructions each session as to what kind of lifts we were doing that day. The team would put on their favorite CD each session to make the time go quickly. One day they played a new CD from a group who had just come out with their first album – Pearl Jam. I immediately enjoyed the rhythm and beat to the music and was instantaneously “hooked.” Every day I would ask : “ Where is the Pearl Jam CD?” and they would get it going just for me.
The only problem that I had was that none of my family, friends or acquaintances liked the music. The only ones I could enjoy the music with were the football players. I looked so forward everyday to the weight room sessions as we could turn it up as loud as we wanted and really get into it. It became such a “staple” of my days and those sessions were so memorable.
As the years went on, the music seemed to get better and better and their songs had more meaning to me personally. I bought every Pearl Jam CD and they were the only thing you heard in my car and boat. But still there was one thing missing . . . I never had seen them “live”.
Being from Seattle, Pearl Jam did not frequent Florida very much at all. I missed those shows and it just seemed to be an “empty” place in my body that I had not seen them “live” yet. Weeks led to years and so on, until . . . At my school during one of our weekly assemblies, a young teacher did a presentation on a pod-cast that she does, and low and behold it was about Pearl Jam. My princess has arrived! Finally someone whom I could share my passion for Pearl Jam with was here! At the end of the assembly, I ran up to her and practically bowed to my knees that she was also a Pearl Jam enthusiast. I learned more about her and her years of admiration of the band. Every day when I would see her, I always talked about Pearl Jam. I walked into her classroom one day and there on her desk were 5 small Funko Pop dolls – Pearl Jam !!! Now I knew this was my favorite teacher in the school. I would ask her about all of the shows that she had seen and what she liked best about them, her favorite songs and any little bit of information that she could tell me. The one question I had though was…Do you think they will ever come to Florida again?
Fast forward – February 2025 – I was on my computer reading some things about the group, when it came up . . . Pearl Jam was coming to Hollywood , Florida!!! I immediately sent Chrissie a text saying, “THEY’RE COMING “!!!!!.. My excitement turned to frustration and somewhat sadness as I found it very difficult to get a ticket. Chrissie kept saying, “Be Patient”- something will come along.
They were playing Thursday and Saturday nights in Hollywood at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino, a great venue with great sound. Four days before the show- still no ticket , and I had pretty much given up hope that it would happen. THEN … Chrissie called me and said she had found a ticket for me! Excitement was not even close to how I felt. I counted the hours until the show, and the night before I could not sleep. Now, this is probably pretty normal for a 20 – 35 year old, but a 69 year old man?
The day had come . . . I had waited almost 35 years to see Pearl Jam. I met Chrissie and her husband, Matt, before the show to get my ticket and thank them. Entering the room was unbelievable. I was so nervous- like I was performing.
The lights dimmed and from that first note of “Release” my eyes were fixated on the stage. For 2 hours and 45 minutes I never took my eyes off that stage. I wanted to see and hear everything. The next song was one of my all-time favorites – “ Of The Girl.” It just kept getting better and better.
“Evolution” really got me going as it is one that we played in the weight room daily. Ed telling stories at the break was magical. I still tell the story that he told us about the couple in the Seattle grocery store.
With each song, the smile on my face grew wider and wider, and my singing became louder and louder. I just could not get enough. With the finale – “Immortality” my set list was complete.
When the concert ended, I just sat in my seat and could not move. I wanted to jump on stage and hug every one of them for making my life now complete.
I listen to the entire concert on my I-Pod at least once a week. What a wonderful evening and lasting impression I will always have. I am so grateful to Chrissie for making this happen. As I get ready to retire soon from teaching, I now have the freedom to possibly travel to see them in the U.S. – on any night.
I am one of the LUCKY to have seen them LIVE – What a NIGHT !!!!!
