At the time of this writing, Pearl Jam are about 10 days from playing Alpine Valley Music Theatre, an outdoor amphitheater – or “shed” as it’s referred to in the industry. But on this day 20 years ago, Pearl Jam played their first outdoor show at Mural Amphitheatre, a show with great youthful energy showing a band ready to explode.
Coincidentally today, fan Toni Ane took the time to scan an old postcard she got from Pearl Jam’s PR back in 1991.
Pearl Jam 1991 Tour Promotional Postcard
What’s the connection? The image taken for this postcard is from the August 23, 1991 show! Take a look at the 04:43 mark of “Breath”, the last song in the set:
The Mural Amphitheatre is described as “an outdoor gathering space built on a natural hillside. The world famous Space Needle serves as the backdrop for the Puget Sound Region’s only mid-size amphitheatre located in the heart of Seattle Center just minutes from downtown Seattle.” And judging from the picture, it’s so named because it’s backdrop is, well, a mural.
Mural Amphitheatre
This setting, away from the dark nightclubs of Seattle, shows Pearl Jam in broad daylight in a hopeful mood – mainly because it’s their first gig with Dave Abbruzzese! After arriving in Seattle on August 3 while the band played their last show with Matt Chamberlain at RCKNDY during the “Alive” video shoot, we imagine the band hunkered down and practiced their repertoire in preparation for this show and the upcoming touring schedule.
This bootleg has long been a fan favorite, and the setting for the show has even been immortalized recently in Caryn Rose’s recent novel B-Sides and Broken Hearts, where the characters of a fictional Seattle band in 1991 find themselves pondering their own future while hanging by the soundboard at this very show.
In addition to “Breath”, check out the other performances from this classic set:
Special thanks: Toni Ane, for picking today to scan this postcard, and to Andrew Brenner for gathering the best YouTube links.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for unraveling an old mystery for me. I have kept that postcard for years and years, always very curious as to where the photo was taken. i love Pearl Jam. You guys made my day!
Toni, thanks! Share with us the significance of “Breath” too. I thought that was crazy.
Thanks!!
FELICIDADES POR ESTOS 20 AÑOS DE GRAN MUSICA.UN SALUDO DE CHILE
That guy with the ponytail cracks me up every time.
Eddie told us in the crowd that it was their second outdoor show in Athens Ga, @ legion Field..I have seen my share of shows thru-out the years..It ranks up there with the best ever…
Gracias por no dejar que el grunch muera!!!
congratulations!!! from fresnillo, zacatecas, mexico…….LONG LIVE TO PEARL JAM!!!!
Legion Field could very well be the 2nd outdoor show ever! Wayne, do you have any more info from that show? We’ve never been able to nail down a full setlist for that show, and it would be great if you could help!
the significance of “Breath” – One of my fav songs and also my ringtone for the past year or so. Today Pearl Jam and karma went hand in hand for me!
Great postcard and article. I remember buying a VHS video bootleg of this show at the end of 1991 I think. It has been a long time favorite show of mine. I have visited the Mural as well when I was in Seattle..cool to see that in real life as well.
That was a great show. A very sunny summer day in Seattle.
Stumbled upon your site after I saw a clip from the Aug. 23 show in 91 at the mural. I actually was given a VHS copy of this show back in like 93 from my sister who lived in Seattle. She told me one of her friends had recorded it. It had this show, as well as about a half hour long footage of Mother Love Bone before it. With some PJ related stuff towards the end, including their unplugged performance. I held onto it for years thinking I had this great piece of the bands history. What an awesome collectors item, right? Well I made a BAD move by letting a “Teacher” borrow it at a tech school I went to. She left with a handful of students artwork, and school property and was fired. I never saw the tape again. Sometimes wonder if I actually had the original copy or if it was a copy itself. But I’m glad somewhere along the lines someone thought to upload it! And yes, that guy with the pony tail was a pain in the ass! Try watching the whole show with him doing that!! hahaha
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