We regularly hear of bands being championed as “the following Led Zeppelin” due to their sound and magnificence, however there’s one ’90s bands whose early profession trajectory surprisingly mirrors Led Zep’s in a variety of methods.
First off, there may be one very key aspect of Led Zeppelin’s profession that does not match up with our ’90s band. Whereas Led Zeppelin’s profession got here to a halt after the loss of life of drummer John Bonham, this band has had the fortune of not experiencing such a tragedy inside their rapid ranks. Its members, although, had gone via an analogous expertise earlier than forming a brand new band whose profession took off.
So who’s that band? We’re speaking about Pearl Jam.
Key Led Zeppelin + Pearl Jam Members Tasted Success With Different Bands First
One key aspect that each Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam share is that it wasn’t the primary go round for both band.
Jimmy Page had first been an in-demand session musician after which briefly succeeded with The Yardbirds previous to that band’s dissolution and his resolution to kind a brand new group. So his prior experiences helped him to navigate precisely what he was on the lookout for when it got here time to place collectively his new group.
Although they by no means reached the heights of The Yardbirds, each Green River and Mother Love Bone are considered extremely within the evolution of what would change into the breakout grunge sound of the ’90s. Each of these bands featured guitarist Stone Gossard and bassist Jeff Ament, and many thought Mom Love Bone could be the band that might hit it huge. Sadly, singer Andrew Wooden’s loss of life forward of the band’s debut album launch left Gossard and Ament trying to begin recent. With loads of expertise behind them, they had been primed for larger issues and Pearl Jam catapulted them to superstardom.
Mom Love Bone, “Crown of Thorns”
Hit Albums, However Not as Many Hit Songs for Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam
Whereas Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam have each authored a wealth of timeless songs, it is the albums which have the larger success story on the subject of the charts.
Led Zeppelin launched six albums between 1969 and 1975, with all of them finally reaching six instances platinum or higher. They had been basically untouchable within the rock area till the again half of the ’70s decade when the gross sales began to wane a tad.
However as nice as Led Zeppelin’s albums had been, the band by no means actually struck it as huge on the rock radio charts as you may assume with their singles.
“Entire Lotta Love” was their lone High 10 hit at No. 4, whereas “Immigrant Music,” “Black Canine,” “D’yer Mak’er” and “Trampled Underneath Foot” all cracked the High 40 from the primary six albums.
That is to not say Zeppelin did not get radio airplay (they positive do right this moment!), however the focus was clearly extra on the albums than the singles.
Led Zeppelin, “Entire Lotta Love”
READ MORE: 10 Best God-Tier Rock Songs of the 1970s
Albums weren’t being rotated as rapidly within the ’90s, however Pearl Jam had been equally as untouchable within the first half of their decade as properly. Ten, Vs. and Vitalogy all positioned No. 2 or No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart and every has surpassed the 5 instances platinum certification mark by the RIAA.
However very like Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam’s album gross sales would wane a bit within the decade’s again half. Each No Code and Yield nonetheless maintained excessive chart positions, however their total gross sales did not meet the bar set by the early information.
And very like Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam put their focus extra on the information than the singles.
After “Even Movement” and “Jeremy” had made the band MTV stars, they rebelled towards their recognition by refusing to make movies and hold the deal with the songs. “Daughter” and “Dissident” nonetheless cracked the High 10 and the band nonetheless obtained radio airplay, however the total chart positions did not match what you may assume for such a giant band.
Pearl Jam, “Even Movement”
Led Zeppelin + Pearl Jam Alter Sound After a Few Years
Ultimately, each band has to combine it up slightly bit and a change in sound was destined for each Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam.
By the mid-’70s, Led Zeppelin had been on high of the rock world, however had additionally treaded some properly established floor. With 1976’s Presence, the group was coping with a rushed schedule as Robert Plant healed from accidents sustained in a automotive accident. The band phased out keyboards and acoustic guitar for probably the most half and leaned into a few of their bluesier roots.
The album was met with combined critiques, yielded only one single (“Sweet Retailer Rock”) and the group did not tour in help of it. Although a little bit of a business disappointment, the album has garnered some retroactive reward amongst followers.
In By means of the Out Door, launched in 1978, noticed a little bit of a business rebound for the group who appeared to ship a extra accessible album. “Idiot within the Rain” and “All My Love” made positive additions to the catalog and the group noticed a little bit of a profession resurgence.
Led Zeppelin, “Idiot within the Rain”
As for Pearl Jam, they started to see the tipping level of grunge and adjusted accordingly.
However that did not essentially imply followers had been prepared to hitch them simply but.
After the large success of their first three albums, 1996’s No Code solely managed to hit the platinum mark, whereas “Who You Are” and “Hail Hail” now appear to be the considerably missed hits from that business misfire.
Identical to Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam rebounded admirably. The 1998 album Yield peaked at No. 2, however was extra well-received because the songs “Given to Fly” (which many have in comparison with Led Zeppelin) and “Wishlist” turned established additions with some endurance.
Pearl Jam, “Given to Fly”
The place the Led Zeppelin + Pearl Jam Similarities Finish
As you’ll be able to see, there are many similarities within the trajectories of the 2 bands, although other than many taking a look at “Given to Fly” as a “Going to California” nod, there’s little similarity within the sound and magnificence of the 2 acts.
Drummer John Bonham’s loss of life in 1980 modified the whole lot as properly, with Led Zeppelin splitting up 11 years after their debut album, leaving followers with the posthumous Coda album. There has been no true second act for Led Zeppelin, other than a pair reunion performances and the occasional pairings of the residing members in different tasks.
Pearl Jam, in the meantime, have had probably the most regular profession of the large grunge bands, retaining largely the identical lineup whereas having by no means damaged up. They’ve racked up 12 studio albums and proceed to be a large touring draw the world over.
Each Musician Who’s Been in Pearl Jam
Under is a listing of all of the musicians which were official members of Pearl Jam since they fashioned in 1990.
Gallery Credit score: Lauryn Schaffner