I was a HUGE Pearl Jam fan through High School. Hence the first half of my handle. I've seen them live several times, including some acoustic shows and when they played with the Rolling Stones. As a teen, I could really relate to the music and it helped me through some hard times. I've been playing music since I was a kid and they had a big influence on my playing style. I love Stone's riff's and writing style, even the "Brad" stuff he did. The band as a whole has always had amazing presence and chemistry.
Over the years I have lost my passion for the band as my taste has changed. I would still go to a concert if they come around again. After the first 3 or 4 albums, I started to lose a little interest because they just got a little weird. I still bought all of them but I have to say that my favorite all time album has got to be "Ten" to this day. Records just don't get better than that.
I guess you were looking for a concert story: I saw Peal Jam in SF at Golden Gate Park. I went alone so I could go wherever I wanted and I made it up to the very front. I couldn't have been closer. I was crushed up against the railing but I hung in there just to be that close. Before I knew it, a huge mosh pit opened up right behind me and I was sucked in. I was pretty scrawny at the time so I was tossed around like a ragdoll. I somehow ended up crowd surfing and ended up about 10 yards back from where I was
I eventually made it back up to the front but it was quite a struggle. One of the best concerts I've ever been to.