WATCH: Pearl Jam Joined by Chris Cornell, Jerry Cantrell!
Video
It was a grunge rock class reunion Tuesday night in Los Angeles!
During the third night of Pearl Jam's sold-out stand at the Gibson Amphitheater, former Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell strolled onstage for a rendition of "Hunger Strike," the 1991 hit from Temple of the Dog, the band fronted by Cornell and featuring the entire PJ crew. Later, Alice in Chains axeman Jerry Cantrell stepped up to rip the solo on "Alive." Whew. The only thing missing was a Citizen Dick reunion.
Watch video of both Seattle-rific collabos below.
"I think sometimes the presence of one man can really change the energy of a show," Vedder said, introducing Cornell to the audience. He was right. As the video proves, the crowd went wild and PJ and Cornell delivered with passion, soul, and precision like a year hasn't passed since the tune dropped. Oh, and Cornell reeeaaaalllllly hit those high notes.
MORE ON SPIN.COM:
>> Review: Pearl Jam, Backspacer
>> Pearl Jam's 'Backspacer' Hits No. 1
>> Soundgarden, Minus Cornell, Play Live in Seattle
>> Q&A: Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains
>> Alice in Chains Kick Off U.S. Tour in DC
The same precision and ferocity applied to Cantrell. Touring with the reunited Alice in Chains, the guy's chops are tight, and on "Alive" he killed it.
Zack Newman, the roaming PJ fanatic for SPIN's sister site SPINEarth, is following the Seattle band on tour and was head banging along at the show Tuesday night. "Wow. The last time they played 'Hunger Strike' with Cornell was in Santa Barbara in 2003," said Newman. "The whole pace lost it. And Cantrell… whew. He just jumped out in the middle of the solo. Mike [McCready] ran offstage and basically traded place with Cantrell. I can't imagine how it gets better than that. Some of the biggest names in a whole era of music came onstage!"
It is a great time for fans of '90s-era grunge and alt-rock: Pearl Jam's latest album, Backspacer, hit the top of the charts with its energized sound, and landed the boys on the cover of SPIN; Alice in Chains are back and playing live; and Cornell, well -- there might just be a Soundgarden reunion in the works: The entire band attended the show Tuesday night, marking their first time hanging out together in 13 years! Let's hope Cornell's ready -- the rest of the guys are!
WATCH: Pearl Jam, "Hunger Strike" with Chris Cornell
21 Comments
Click here to comment- Posted By Max!!!
11.18.09 10:27 PM
Dejen de Hablar pavada! que como Pearl Jam, Sound Garden y Alice in Chains! no han vuelto un surgir bandas de esta calidad no solo de bandas hijo hijo Cultura hijo pasion hijo energía hijo sentimientos! el hijo en todo el sentido de la palabra una buena banda de Rock!!! y culmino diciendoles que jamas hasta ahora como estas bandas no hay en el mundo!!!!
- Posted By Anonymous
11.01.09 12:30 AM
For a good laugh check out the oct issue of spin. Eddie Vedder the ""badass"" multimillionare, douchebag little prick gives us the finger while the rest of his stupid band smile like the bunch of retards they are. It is f-cking hilarious. Pearl sham are a bunch of FAKES and their music SUCKS.
- Posted By Dudalizer
10.22.09 1:45 AM
Damn punks calling Pearl Jam overrated. Were you molested to the tune of a PJ song or something? I can think of no other reason that you would hate Pearl Jam. They are one of the few genuinely talented bands still around these days, so show some respect.
I would absolutely LOVE to see a TOTD reunion. If they would come out with a new album together then I would **** my pants. I never got to experience TOTD(having been a toddler at the time), so seeing them reunited would be insane. C'mon guys, do it for the children.
As for Cornell, I respect the guy for going out on thin ice, but it is cracking buddy, and below is a pool of mediocrity. You(Cornell) need to be casting your die with the rock fans that have supported you for two decades. Not some frat boys who will only know you as the dude with the cool voice Timberland produced for. Oh, and PLEASE OH PLEASE don't record an album with Justin Timberlake or any boy band/hip gansta wannabe/pop diva. I don't think my little heart could take it. :(
- Posted By Payaam
10.17.09 5:06 AM
PJ and Soundgarden are some of my legends and of my top bands from 90s and watchin' them get-together onstage could be killin' me but actually i'm feelin' hatred toward the new Cornell especially for his recent Scream album and videos. (oh it was about to make me spew up.) since it seems he's not a rocker anymore or himself anymore, i dont wanna see him around PJ guys. yesterday he was in studio with Timbaland and today comes up on stage with some real rockers!
at least hip hop and R'nB listeners will hear a good voice to scream with in their parties. and back street boys and Justin Timberlake can count on Cornell as a great background vocal or a duet song for their next albums.
UGH
people change but i hope he re-changes himself back to who he really was. otherwise R.I.P Mr. Cornell.
- Posted By Tony
10.08.09 2:01 PM
Why the overrated comments? That doesn't make any sense....It's not like these bands are asking for any attention. They make music they put it out and that's it. They are not being hyped up on radio shows or anything. No need to call them overrated. The show was amazing it's incredible how PJ is able to perform at that level. I took a kid to his first PJ show and these kid went crazy- saying he had never see such an amazing performance.... This kid has been to several green day shows, blink 182, papa roach, and a few others. But he said PJ is by far the best show he has ever seen! I've seen them over 30 times, since back in the 90's, and they still rock out as if they were in the 90's! Great performance - Thank you PJ!
- Posted By Sonny
10.08.09 1:33 PM
Well said dirty frank!
I really dig this stuff always have and always will and seeing a reuinion like this gives me shivers. It really wrecks it for me to read such negative b.s. after every article. Why do these people read about bands they don't like. Go get a ****ing job and spread your knowledge elsewhere.
Long Live Layne.
- Posted By Dirty Frank
10.08.09 8:05 AM
c´mon! overrated this and overrated that.
try to sing like Cornell and you will fail.
try to play like Cantrell and you will fail again.
try to write songs like Vedder and you will fail once again mister.
Rest my case.
- Posted By dissident
10.08.09 5:59 AM
stupid fakin kids, go listen to some high-class **** and be "cool"...and leave 'overrated' bands to us with no taste in music! why the hell you're even reading this article?! bah
onto the topic, lucky LA bastards! :) this is like a dream coming true! ed, jerry, chris together on stage... they could make a ittle TOTD reunion tour, would be so awesome
- Posted By Mrs Miller
10.08.09 5:33 AM
Ah don't be cruel - nice to see some legends at it again. Way way better than Scream. I'd say rock on guys.
- Posted By Jill
10.08.09 3:04 AM
Just because not everyone is pissing their pants to Pear Jam/Temple of the Dog's music doesn't mean they listen to Lady Gaga. They just happen to have better tastes in music! And yes, Pearl Jam is waaaaaaay overrated and so is Cornell and Cantrell. They can all burn in hell for all I care!
12.04.09 7:56 PM
what a retarded ****boy comment both those bands are iconic dumbo baggins!