PEARL JAM’s Stone Gossard on MOTLEY CRUE: “Wow, You Can Be A Freak”

Stone Gossard, the guitar virtuoso of Pearl Jam, recently delved into the profound influence of 80s rock bands on his musical journey during a captivating interview on the Let There Be Talk podcast.

Reflecting on the impact of the first Motley Crue record, Gossard remarked, “The first Motley Crue record was punk-rock to me.” He drew parallels to the raw energy and rebellious spirit reminiscent of Motorhead and Sex Pistols. Gossard found the heaviness of the music coupled with the unconventional style of the band’s appearance, including the bold hair and makeup, akin to the gender-bending, exhilarating vibe reminiscent of David Bowie.

Elaborating on Motley Crue’s influence, he expressed, “That was just like, ‘Wow, you can be a freak.’ Yeah, we were absorbing that.” Gossard highlighted the band’s impact on shaping a sense of freedom and individuality within the music scene. Additionally, he delved into the transformative effect of bands like the Cult, particularly their collaboration with Rick Rubin, which saw them evolve from a romantic goth band of the ’80s to something entirely different, creating a shift that felt invigorating and fresh.

In Gossard’s exploration of the ’80s rock landscape, his insights showcase the dynamic and multifaceted nature of the era, where genres blended, and artists pushed boundaries, leaving an indelible mark on musicians like himself. The interview unveils a unique perspective on how these influential bands, with their rebellious spirit and musical experimentation, played a pivotal role in shaping the creative direction of one of rock’s iconic figures.