Pearl Jam Hits A Billion Views On YouTube

     Pearl Jam is one of the most legendary bands not of the grunge movement or out of Seattle, but of all time. Their powerful, direct lyrics with instrumentals to match could only be possible thanks to the work of brilliant minds like Eddie Vedder, Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready, and Matt Cameron, and they are one of the many bands in American rock that couldn't resist bringing Jack Irons on. 

     Their voice has been a powerful one for change in the United States. Supporters of Ralph Nader in 2000, John Kerry in 2004, Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, and Bernie Sanders in 2016 and 2020, their efforts have included eviscerating the foreign policy of George W. Bush, reducing their carbon emissions, supporting the work of environmental groups like the Surfrider Foundation, standing up for abortion rights, putting faces and names to the gun control cause, engaging with citizens on voting rights, and working to free the West Memphis Three. Most has come through the work of Vedder, who has proven his voice, whether singing or speaking his mind, to be one worth listening to.

     While Pearl Jam has its origins three decades ago, its fans are no less loyal in this digital age, including the author, who was not yet born until a few months before the release of Riot Act. It is heartwarming, therefore, but not surprising to see Pearl Jam hit a billion views on YouTube today, driven mostly by the success of songs like "Jeremy," "Even Flow," "Alive," "Oceans," "Black," and "Daughter."

     Congratulations, Pearl Jam!!!