Epic Ink, an imprint of The Quarto Group, has announced that Pearl Jam Live! 35 Years Of Legendary Music And Revolutionary Shows will be released on October 14, 2025. Written by music journalist Selena Fragassi, the book is not a conventional band biography. Instead, Fragassi structures it like a concert experience, with distinct sections titled the opening act, headliner, and encore. The opening act details the band’s formation in Seattle, the headliner chronicles their rapid rise during the 1990s, and the encore, starting in 2001, traces the group’s ongoing evolution and relevance. Every studio album from Ten to last year’s Dark Matter is explored, alongside an examination of Pearl Jam‘s cultural impact and the growth of their dedicated fan base.
In Pearl Jam Live!, Fragassi uses a three-act format that mirrors the flow of a Pearl Jam show. The “Opening Act” (1984-1991) recounts the band’s early days in Seattle and their formation from the remnants of Green River. “Headliner” (1992-2000) covers the band’s ascent during the grunge explosion of the ’90s. The “Encore” section (2001 to present) focuses on their progression in the new millennium and their continued presence in the rock landscape. Each chapter takes its name from a Pearl Jam song, creating a “setlist” that guides readers through the band’s history.
The book tracks the journeys of Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready, and Eddie Vedder, from their beginnings in Seattle’s underground music scene to their status as a leading alternative rock band of the 1990s. It delves into the creation of influential albums such as Ten and Vs., their highly publicized fight with Ticketmaster, and their transformation from grunge innovators to seasoned arena performers.
Pearl Jam Live! offers insights into:
- The band’s musical growth over 35 years, from their Seattle origins to their latest releases
- Their role in shaping 1990s alternative rock and their enduring impact on modern music
- The formation and evolution of Pearl Jam‘s dedicated fan community
- Stories behind their key albums and significant tours
- Archival photos capturing their journey from small club performances to massive stadium shows
The book combines interviews, photography, and in-depth commentary to provide both longtime fans and music scholars with a thorough look at a band that defined a generation while maintaining artistic authenticity.
Fragassi, based in Chicago, brings 17 years of experience to this project. She currently writes for the Chicago Sun-Times, SPIN, and Loudwire. Her work has also been featured in The A.V. Club, Paste, Nylon, and Chicago Magazine, where she served as a pop/rock critic. Throughout her career, she has interviewed artists such as Jack White, The Black Keys, Alice Cooper, Chrissie Hynde, Slash, and Bon Jovi. Fragassi’s writing has been included in the anthology That Devil Music: Best Music Writing, and she has appeared on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight. She is also the author of several other books, including Alanis: Thirty Years of Jagged Little Pill.
