Pearl Jam's Mike McCready Unleashes Electrifying Hendrix-Inspired Anthem at Seattle NFL Game!
Seattle's NFL blockbuster game against the Patriots became a vibrant celebration of grunge music, featuring Pearl Jam's Mike McCready performing the national anthem and a powerful halftime show by Soundgarden with Taylor Momsen. The event also highlighted upcoming projects from both McCready and the surviving members of Soundgarden, cementing Seattle's enduring musical legacy.
Seattle, the iconic birthplace of grunge music, vibrantly showcased its enduring legacy during an NFL blockbuster game on Wednesday, September 10th. As the Seattle Seahawks hosted the New England Patriots at Lumen Field, the event transformed into a powerful tribute to the Emerald City’s profound place in modern music history, featuring performances from seminal grunge figures and contemporary artists.
The evening commenced with a striking rendition of the national anthem by Mike McCready, the acclaimed founding member and lead guitarist of Pearl Jam. McCready’s performance was described as an 'otherworldly' display, where his guitar spoke volumes, evoking the spirit of legendary musicians like Jimi Hendrix and setting an intense tone for the night. This powerful opening followed a moment of silence observed at Lumen Field, honoring the thousands of lives lost in the terror attacks 25 years prior.
The musical celebration continued at halftime with a highly anticipated performance by Rock And Roll Hall of Fame inductees Soundgarden. Mike McCready rejoined on guitar, sharing the stage with Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless, who took on vocal duties. Together, they delivered a compelling medley of Soundgarden classics, including 'Outshined' and 'Spoonman,' captivating both sports fans and music enthusiasts.
Taylor Momsen has a significant history with Soundgarden, having fronted the band on several occasions since the tragic death of their iconic singer, Chris Cornell, in May 2017. Her past collaborations include performing 'Rusty Cage' and 'Black Hole Sun' at Soundgarden’s Rock Hall induction in November of last year, where she subbed in for Cornell. She also participated in the 'I Am the Highway: A Tribute to Chris Cornell' benefit concert in January 2019 at the Forum in Los Angeles, firmly establishing her connection to the band’s enduring legacy.
In addition to the main grunge performances, the Seahawks also hosted a pregame 'Salute 250 Kickoff Concert' featuring country star Luke Bryan, which took place three hours before kick-off, offering diverse entertainment for attendees.
Looking ahead, Soundgarden is reportedly in the process of finalizing a new album that will feature the last group of songs recorded with Chris Cornell. Drummer Matt Cameron confirmed that the surviving members are mixing these tracks, which were produced by Terry Date. This planned eight-track LP draws from demos the group began working on between 2013 and 2016, prior to their final tour with Cornell in 2017, promising a poignant posthumous release for fans.
Separately, Mike McCready is actively developing his multimedia project, 'Farewell to Seasons,' a rock opera designed as a tribute to the 1990s grunge heyday. Deluxe editions and a Platinum graphic novel package for this project are set to launch next month, accompanied by a soundtrack composed of new and original songs created by McCready himself.
In terms of the game, the home team, the Seattle Seahawks, ultimately secured a narrow victory over the New England Patriots in the NFL Kickoff, with a final score of 13-10, concluding a memorable day of sports and music.