Biography
Mike McCready earned acclaim through guitar solos echoing the expressive styles of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix, prompting countless rock listeners to favor emotive, roots-driven musicians over those fixated on technical flash. He arrived in the world on April 5, 1966, in Pensacola, Florida, before his family settled in Seattle, Washington, soon after his arrival. Early fascination with Ace Frehley of Kiss and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry led him to obtain his first guitar at age 11, and by eighth grade he had joined his initial group, Shadow. That band channeled the prevailing pop-metal sound of the era, drawing from acts such as Van Halen and Def Leppard, yet an unsuccessful bid for a recording contract in Los Angeles prompted their discouraged return to Seattle and swift disbandment. The setback temporarily extinguished McCready’s musical drive, prompting him to cut his hair, enroll in college, and set his instrument aside for an extended period. Renewed interest eventually drew him back to the blues-rooted approach of Vaughan, resulting in a stint with the similarly inclined local band Love Chile, though that ensemble lasted only long enough for a few performances.
A shared acquaintance introduced McCready to Stone Gossard, formerly of Mother Love Bone, who was struck by McCready’s playing during an impromptu jam at a party. Gossard soon found himself without a band after the tragic death of Mother Love Bone singer Andrew Wood just before their debut album’s release. Several months later, Gossard contacted McCready to propose a jam session. The two connected instantly, and with the addition of former Mother Love Bone bassist Jeff Ament plus San Diego native Eddie Vedder on vocals, along with rotating drummers, Pearl Jam took shape in late 1990. McCready also collaborated with his new bandmates in the Chris Cornell-led project Temple of the Dog, a tribute to Wood whose self-titled album appeared in summer 1991, only months before Pearl Jam’s debut Ten reached stores. Within a year Pearl Jam had risen to prominence as one of rock’s leading acts, with their first record holding the top chart position and the group performing on Lollapalooza II. The band sustained its momentum through the remainder of the decade via such albums as 1993’s Vs., 1994’s Vitalogy, 1996’s No Code, and 1998’s Yield, followed by the 2000 release Binaural.
Beyond Pearl Jam, McCready contributed guitar to assorted side projects and guest spots on other artists’ recordings. In 1995, shortly after completing rehabilitation for alcohol dependency, he assembled Mad Season alongside Alice in Chains vocalist Layne Staley, issuing their sole album Above that same year. Five years later he spearheaded another endeavor, the Rockfords—featuring several former Shadow members—and delivered their self-titled debut. McCready’s blues-inflected style surfaces on recordings by Brad (Interiors), Mark Eitzel (West), Screaming Trees (Dust), Tuatara (Breaking the Ethers), Neil Young (Mirror Ball), and a standout rendition of the rarely covered Jimi Hendrix song “Hey Baby” for the tribute collection Stone Free.
A shared acquaintance introduced McCready to Stone Gossard, formerly of Mother Love Bone, who was struck by McCready’s playing during an impromptu jam at a party. Gossard soon found himself without a band after the tragic death of Mother Love Bone singer Andrew Wood just before their debut album’s release. Several months later, Gossard contacted McCready to propose a jam session. The two connected instantly, and with the addition of former Mother Love Bone bassist Jeff Ament plus San Diego native Eddie Vedder on vocals, along with rotating drummers, Pearl Jam took shape in late 1990. McCready also collaborated with his new bandmates in the Chris Cornell-led project Temple of the Dog, a tribute to Wood whose self-titled album appeared in summer 1991, only months before Pearl Jam’s debut Ten reached stores. Within a year Pearl Jam had risen to prominence as one of rock’s leading acts, with their first record holding the top chart position and the group performing on Lollapalooza II. The band sustained its momentum through the remainder of the decade via such albums as 1993’s Vs., 1994’s Vitalogy, 1996’s No Code, and 1998’s Yield, followed by the 2000 release Binaural.
Beyond Pearl Jam, McCready contributed guitar to assorted side projects and guest spots on other artists’ recordings. In 1995, shortly after completing rehabilitation for alcohol dependency, he assembled Mad Season alongside Alice in Chains vocalist Layne Staley, issuing their sole album Above that same year. Five years later he spearheaded another endeavor, the Rockfords—featuring several former Shadow members—and delivered their self-titled debut. McCready’s blues-inflected style surfaces on recordings by Brad (Interiors), Mark Eitzel (West), Screaming Trees (Dust), Tuatara (Breaking the Ethers), Neil Young (Mirror Ball), and a standout rendition of the rarely covered Jimi Hendrix song “Hey Baby” for the tribute collection Stone Free.
Albums
The Gift: The Journey of Johnny Cash: Original Score Music From A Film by Thom Zimny
2019
Sadie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
2018
The Glamour & The Squalor (Original Motion Picture Score)
2017
Nedaria pel desert
2008
Singles
