Mike McCready

Lead guitarist of Pearl Jam, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.

Mike McCready is an American musician known for being the lead guitarist of Pearl Jam, joining after the band's formation. Born in Pensacola, Florida, his family moved to Seattle shortly after his birth. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a part of Pearl Jam in 2017 alongside the other members (Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, Dave Krusen, Eddie Vedder, and Matt Cameron).

Quick Facts

Birth name

Michael David McCready

Alias

Petster, McMelty

Born

5 April 1966

Birthplace

Pensacola, Florida, U.S.

Origin

Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Genre

Alternative rock
grunge
blues rock
hard rock

Occupation

Musician, songwriter

Years active

1979–present

Lore & Background

McCready's early musical life began at age eleven when he purchased his first guitar and started lessons. In eighth grade he formed his first band, Warrior, later renamed Shadow, which played covers at Roosevelt High School before writing original material. After high school, Shadow moved to Los Angeles in 1986 seeking a record deal but failed. McCready recalled: 'We played to a couple bartenders down there... Basically, we weren't that good of a band.' The band returned to Seattle in 1988 and split up. Depressed, McCready cut his hair, enrolled in community college, and worked at a video store. He credits friend Russ Riedner for getting him back into playing guitar, and a Stevie Ray Vaughan concert at The Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington inspired him to pick up the guitar again. McCready said: 'As soon as he started "Couldn't Stand the Weather", these huge clouds rolled in overhead, and rain began pouring down. When the song ended, the rain stopped! It was like a religious experience.' He joined Love Chile, where childhood friend Stone Gossard saw him perform and later asked McCready to play music together. After practicing for a few months, McCready encouraged Gossard to reconnect with Jeff Ament.

Reader's Guide

During the production of Vitalogy, McCready went into rehabilitation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he met bassist John Baker Saunders of The Lamont Cranston Band. In 1994, when the two returned to Seattle, they formed a side band, The Gacy Bunch, with vocalist Layne Staley of Alice in Chains and drummer Barrett Martin of Screaming Trees. After several live shows, they changed their name to Mad Season. The band released the album Above through Columbia Records in 1995, and are best known for the single 'River of Deceit'. The band broke up following Saunders' death in 1999 due to a heroin overdose. Staley passed away three years later in 2002, of an apparent overdose of heroin. McCready was also a member of the side project bands Flight to Mars, Temple of the Dog, and The Rockfords.

Did You Know?

McCready's first recording studio experience was with his band Shadow and with Love Chile, prior to his work with Temple of the Dog.
He worked at a pizza restaurant after high school where he befriended musician Pete Droge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Mike McCready?

He is a founding member and lead guitarist of Pearl Jam who joined in 1990. Born in Florida, he moved to Seattle as an infant and helped establish the band's signature sound.

Did Mike McCready enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

He was inducted in 2017 alongside his fellow bandmates during Pearl Jam's official ceremony. The group honored included founding members Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, Dave Krusen, Eddie Vedder, and Matt Cameron.