A new book retraces the history of Lollapalooza through the voices of its key players, including Pearl Jam, who helped make the festival a symbol of the ’90s.
Lollapalooza is more than just a festival—it’s a piece of alternative music history. Founded in 1991 by Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction, the traveling festival helped shape the ’90s music scene, bringing together bands that would leave an indelible mark. Among them, Pearl Jam played a crucial role, and the new book Lollapalooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock’s Wildest Festival by Richard Bienstock and Tom Beaujour explores their experience within this groundbreaking event.
Pearl Jam and Lollapalooza
By the time Pearl Jam joined the second edition of Lollapalooza in 1992, they were skyrocketing to fame. Ten was climbing the charts, Alive, Even Flow, and Jeremy were everywhere, but the band had yet to grasp the full extent of their rising stardom. Playing Lollapalooza meant sharing the stage with acts like Soundgarden, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Ministry—becoming part of a movement that rejected the norms of the mainstream music industry.
The tour was grueling, the crowds were getting bigger, and the band was facing the pressure of their exploding popularity. Eddie Vedder, in particular, struggled with the idea of becoming a rock star, and Lollapalooza was one of his first experiences performing in front of massive audiences. Despite the challenges, their performances became legendary, further cementing their status as one of the defining bands of their generation.
The Book: A Journey Through the Festival’s History
Bienstock and Beaujour’s book tells the story of Lollapalooza through the voices of those who lived it—musicians, organizers, crew members, and journalists. In addition to Pearl Jam, the book features firsthand accounts from members of Soundgarden, Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins, Alice in Chains, Metallica, Green Day, Patti Smith, and many more.
With never-before-heard anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories, Lollapalooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock’s Wildest Festival delves into the festival’s evolution and its impact on music culture. Featuring a foreword by Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil, the book is a tribute to an era when alternative music ruled the world.
For Pearl Jam fans, this book offers a unique opportunity to relive a pivotal moment in their career and better understand the cultural landscape that shaped the band. If Lollapalooza transformed the concept of music festivals, Pearl Jam played a key role in making that transformation iconic.
Release Date
Lollapalooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock’s Wildest Festival will be published on March 25, 2025, by St. Martin’s Press.
Born in Reggio Emilia in 1980. He created pearljamonline.it in 2001 and wrote the first edition of “Pearl Jam Evolution” in 2009 along with his wife Daria. Since 2022, he is behind 2 podcasts: “Pearl Jam dalla A alla Z” and “Fuori Orario Not Another Podcast”. He has collaborated with Barracuda Style, HvsR, Rolling Stone, Rockol and Il Fatto Quotidiano. He continues relentlessly to try to find “beautiful melodies that say terrible things”.
Favorite song: Present Tense
Favorite album: No Code
Favorite bands/artists other than PJ: Tom Waits, Soundgarden, Ramones, Bruce Springsteen, IDLES, Fontaines D.C., The Murder Capital, Dead Kennedys, Mark Lanegan, Cat Power, R.E.M.