Mike McCready Reflects on Seattle's Grunge Explosion and Honoring Lost Legends

The Pearl Jam guitarist opens up about his new rock opera 'Farewell to Seasons' and the lasting impact of the '90s Seattle music scene.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:35am

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In a candid interview, Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready discusses his new graphic novel and soundtrack project 'Farewell to Seasons', which explores the Seattle grunge explosion of the 1990s. McCready reflects on the loss of iconic musicians like Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley, and Chris Cornell, and how their legacies continue to haunt him. He also shares stories about the collaborative spirit of the Seattle scene, the guitarists who most influenced his playing, and what's next for Pearl Jam as they search for a new drummer.

Why it matters

The Seattle grunge scene of the 1990s has reached mythical status, producing some of the most influential and tragically short-lived musicians of the era. McCready's personal connection to this history, both through his work with Pearl Jam and side projects like Mad Season, gives him a unique perspective on the triumphs and tribulations of that time. His new creative project 'Farewell to Seasons' allows him to grapple with the ghosts of the past while celebrating the enduring impact of Seattle's musical legacy.

The details

McCready's new project 'Farewell to Seasons' is a graphic novel with an accompanying soundtrack album that explores the Seattle music scene through the lens of four fictional bands. Drawing on his own experiences, McCready weaves a historical fiction narrative that pays tribute to the artists he knew and loved, including Layne Staley, Chris Cornell, and Kurt Cobain. The project allowed McCready to confront the grief and guilt he still feels over the loss of these musicians, while also celebrating the collaborative spirit that defined the Seattle sound. McCready enlisted a talented group of Seattle music veterans to contribute to the soundtrack, including Duff McKagan, Dave Matthews bassist Stefan Lessard, and Thunderpussy's Molly Sides.

  • In the 1980s, McCready played in a band called Shadow, honing his skills and building connections in the local scene.
  • In 1984, Duff McKagan stopped by the Shadow house and mentioned he was moving to Los Angeles, inspiring McCready and his bandmates to follow suit.
  • After a year in LA, McCready became ill with Crohn's disease and returned to Seattle, quitting music for two years.
  • In the early 1990s, McCready received a call from Stone Gossard, leading to the formation of Pearl Jam.
  • During this time, McCready also collaborated on the Temple of the Dog project with Chris Cornell, and later formed the band Mad Season with Layne Staley and Mark Lanegan.

The players

Mike McCready

The lead guitarist of the iconic grunge band Pearl Jam, who has also collaborated with numerous other artists from the Seattle music scene.

Layne Staley

The lead singer of Alice in Chains, who was a close friend and collaborator of McCready's in the band Mad Season.

Chris Cornell

The frontman of Soundgarden, who invited McCready to play on the Temple of the Dog album and was a supportive figure in the early days of Pearl Jam.

Mark Lanegan

The singer-songwriter who was also a member of Mad Season alongside McCready and Staley.

Kurt Cobain

The legendary singer-songwriter and guitarist of Nirvana, whose music and tragic death had a profound impact on the Seattle scene.

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What they’re saying

“I was sitting around thinking about the singers that had died in our scene. I've had dreams about some of them and they haunt me sometimes. I was thinking, 'Was it worth it for all these guys and women?'”

— Mike McCready, Pearl Jam Guitarist

“Watching Chris sing on that [Hendrix] song...was probably the first life-changing experience for me in terms of, 'Okay, now I'm playing on this thing that's very important.'”

— Mike McCready, Pearl Jam Guitarist

“The thing that surprised me about the Seattle scene is everybody's so different, and this very small scene turned out to be huge.”

— Mike McCready, Pearl Jam Guitarist

What’s next

McCready is currently working on the stage production of 'Farewell to Seasons' while Pearl Jam is on a holding pattern as they search for a new drummer to replace the departing Matt Cameron.

The takeaway

McCready's deeply personal project 'Farewell to Seasons' allows him to grapple with the triumphs and tragedies of the Seattle music scene he was so intimately a part of, honoring the legacies of the iconic artists he knew and played with while also exploring his own evolving role in the industry.