Pearl Jam to Mark 20th Anniversary With Neil Young

Come October, Pearl Jam will have officially been a band for 20 years. They'll celebrate at a familiar event: Neil Young's annual Bridge School Benefit concert, happening October 23rd and 24th. Pearl Jam have played the concert, which helps children with severe physical impairments and complex communication needs, eight times before. "It's perfect [for the anniversary]: not too blown up," guitarist Stone Gossard [tells Billboard ]. "It's not about us, it's about all those kids that are on stage with you, and about Neil Young and his commitment, his influence." Pearl Jam first performed live as "Mookie Blaylock" on October 22nd, 1990, at Seattle's Off Ramp.

Photos: Neil Young's Bridge School Benefit 2009

Only Neil Young and Pearl Jam are confirmed for this year's shows, which will likely be held once again at Mountain View, California's Shoreline Amphitheatre. Pearl Jam will perform both nights, according to Antiquiet. The band have had plans to reissue their entire discography in time for the anniversary, but so far they've only re-released their 1991 debut, Ten.

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Song Stories

“Time to Pretend”

MGMT | 2008

Listening to MGMT’s breakthrough song, one might interpret it as being about the excesses of rock stardom, but it’s actually about the duo’s pet praying mantis. Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden told Rolling Stone they got the idea from the insect's jerky movements. The mantis died, but the two bandmates kept the egg sack and allowed the hundreds of eggs to hatch. “We tried to name them all, but they died after a day,” said Goldwasser, with VanWyngarden chiming in, “But the praying mantis dance inspired us.”

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