Mike McCready
Known for: Acting
Michael David McCready (born April 5, 1966) is an American musician who serves as the lead guitarist for the American rock band Pearl Jam, a band he co-founded. He has also been a member of the side project bands Flight to Mars, Temple of the Dog, Mad Season and The Rockfords. McCready was born in Pensacola, Florida, USA, but his family moved to Seattle shortly after his birth. As a child, his parents played Hendrix and Santana, while his friends listened to KISS and Aerosmith; McCready would frequently play bongo drums. At the age of 11, McCready purchased his first guitar and began taking lessons—aiming to imitate Gene Simmons of KISS, by sticking his tongue out. Shadow split up soon afterwards, and McCready lost interest in guitar for some time, before finally joining another band called Love Chile. A high school friend, Stone Gossard, heard the band, appreciated McCready's work, and asked if he wanted to join a band he was forming. The two worked together and recruited bassist Jeff Ament. Together with drummer Dave Krusen (who would later be replaced by Matt Chamberlain, then Dave Abbruzzese, then Jack Irons, and currently Matt Cameron) and Eddie Vedder, the group formed the band Pearl Jam (originally known as Mookie Blaylock). It was during this time that McCready took a central role in the Temple of the Dog project, combining members of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. Mikes first recording studio experience was recording the Temple of the Dog album, including an epic 4-minute-plus solo for "Reach Down." According to drummer Matt Cameron, McCready's headphone monitors flew off halfway through the recording of the solo, and he played the rest without being able to hear the backing track. McCready still considers this track to be his greatest achievement. By the end of 1991, Pearl Jam became one of the most famous modern bands with the release of Ten. McCready frequently soloed, and added a blues touch to the music (influenced by Stevie Ray Vaughan). McCready's guitar style is usually an aggressive bluesy nature, and he never plays the same solo twice. His live renditions of songs have slightly different solos due to his fondness of improvization, and sometimes he treats the crowd to a full-on improv. He is extremely energetic live, and is commonly found dashing around the stage, playing to the crowd, throwing plectrums and soloing with the guitar behind his head.
Filmography
Series
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Self - Musical Guest
2015
Series
Late Show with David Letterman
Self - Musical Guest
1993
Series
Saturday Night Live
Self - Musical Guest
1975
Series
MTV Video Music Awards
Self
1984
Film
2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Self
2025
Singing Earth
Himself
2025
Film
The Rocky Horror Musical Live Stream
Self
2020
Film
VH1 Rock Honors: The Who
Self
2008
Film
VH1 News Special: Grunge
Self
2001
Film
MoPOP Founders Award 2020 Honoring Alice in Chains
Self
2020
Film
Enormous: The Gorge Story
2021
Film
Pearl Jam: Touring Band 2000
Himself
2001
Film
Global Citizen Festival 2015
Self
2015
Film
Temple Of The Dog
2016
Film
Gleason
Self
2016
Film
All in Washington: A Concert for COVID-19 Relief
Self
2020
Film
Pearl Jam: Live at the Garden
Himself
2003
Film
The Glamour & the Squalor
Self
2015
Film
Pearl Jam: Live At The Showbox
Himself
2003
Film
Pearl Jam: Immagine in Cornice
Himself
2007
Film
Alice in Chains: AIC 23
Himself
2013
Film
Pearl Jam: The Kids Are Twenty
2011
Film
Pearl Jam Twenty
Himself
2011
Film
Pearl Jam: Global Citizens Festival - New York 2015
2015
Film
Pearl Jam: Santiago 2005
Guitars
2005
Film
Pearl Jam: Berlin 2012 - Night 2
2012
Film
Pearl Jam: Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony
2017
Film
Pearl Jam: Let's Play Two
Himself
2017
Film
Pearl Jam: San Diego 2013
2013
Film
Pearl Jam: Lollapalooza Brazil 2013
2013
Film
Pearl Jam: Oakland 2022 - Night 2
2022
Film
Pearl Jam - Rome 2018
Himself - Guitar
2018
Film
Pearl Jam: Dark Matter – Global Theatrical Experience
Self
2024
Film
Pearl Jam: Under Review
2009
Film
Pearl Jam: Austin City Limits 2009
2009
Film
Pearl Jam: See No Evil, Hear No Evil
2013
Film
Pearl Jam: Live in Texas
2010
Film
Pearl Jam: Spokane 2013
2013
![Pearl Jam: Fenway Park 2018 - Night 1 - The Away Shows [TheSteved111]](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w185/rCaektgOsV5TxOQuFyioQtM840J.jpg)
Film
Pearl Jam: Fenway Park 2018 - Night 1 - The Away Shows [TheSteved111]
2018
Film
Pearl Jam: Philadelphia 2016
2016
Film
Pearl Jam: Single Video Theory
Self
1998
Film
Pearl Jam: Baltimore 2024
2024
![Pearl Jam: Moline 2014 - The No Code Show [BTNV]](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w185/ft5feJUl4IRn1SXlqWUTOwttdSA.jpg)
Film
Pearl Jam: Moline 2014 - The No Code Show [BTNV]
2014
Film
Pearl Jam: Live at Pinkpop '92
Self
1992
Film
Pearl Jam: New York City 2016 - Night 1
2016
![Pearl Jam: Lollapalooza Brazil 2013 [Multishow]](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w185/cVNYcIFcP68yackdcXLXI4tnOQF.jpg)
Film
Pearl Jam: Lollapalooza Brazil 2013 [Multishow]
Guitars
2013
Make Poverty History - Music Concert
Self
2006
Film
Pearl Jam: Melbourne 2006 - Night 1
2006
Film
Pearl Jam: Detroit 2014
2014
![Pearl Jam: Lollapalooza Brazil 2018 [Animal]](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w185/d9XBBHDuF1ZsE70hPpIeCpaNENG.jpg)
Film
Pearl Jam: Lollapalooza Brazil 2018 [Animal]
2018
Film
Pearl Jam: Gigaton Visual Album Experience
Himself
2020
Film
Pearl Jam: New York City 2016 - Night 2
2016
![Pearl Jam: Buenos Aires 2005 - Night 2 [Frontviewmirror]](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w185/wuYOdHSLo2IA5sxk3b2MtJGxDCE.jpg)
Film
Pearl Jam: Buenos Aires 2005 - Night 2 [Frontviewmirror]
Himself
2005
Film
Pearl Jam: Gigaton Theater Experience
2020
![Pearl Jam: Fenway Park 2018 - Night 1 - The Away Shows [BTNV]](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w185/atsLGsCNnvZdUURIGixQ7xxWZgf.jpg)
Film
Pearl Jam: Fenway Park 2018 - Night 1 - The Away Shows [BTNV]
2018
Film
Pearl Jam: Charlottesville 2013
2013
Film
Pearl Jam: Toronto 2016 - Night 2
2016
Film
Pearl Jam: Oakland 2022 - Night 1
2022
Film
Pearl Jam: Los Angeles 2013 - Night 2
2013
Film
Pearl Jam: Cincinnati 2014
2014
Film
Pearl Jam: Fort Lauderdale 2016
2016
Film
Pearl Jam: Kitchener 2005
2005
Film
Pearl Jam: Dallas 2013
2013
Film
Pearl Jam: Missoula 2018
2018
Film
Pearl Jam: Hampton 2016
2016
Film
Pearl Jam: Philadelphia 2009 - Night 4
2009
Film
Pearl Jam: Baltimore 2013
2013
Film
Pearl Jam: The Fans Are Alright
2011
Film
Pearl Jam: Hartford 2008
2008
Film
Pearl Jam: Rock Werchter 2018
2018
Film
Tibetan Freedom Concert
Self
1996
Film
Pearl Jam: Vienna 2014
2014
Film
Pearl Jam: Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO 1995
Himself
1995
Film
Pearl Jam: Tower Records - Yonkers, NY
1991
Film
Pearl Jam: Fenway Park 2016 - Night 2
2016
Film
Pearl Jam: Atlanta 1998
1998
Film
Pearl Jam: Toronto 2016 - Night 1 - The Binaural Show
2016
![Pearl Jam: Moline 2014 - The No Code Show [Nugs]](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w185/uIawsbI17SpyKgmCvzOIUgLZS4X.jpg)
Film
Pearl Jam: Moline 2014 - The No Code Show [Nugs]
2014
Film
Pearl Jam: Vancouver 2013
2013
Film
Pearl Jam: Verona 2006
2006
Film
Pearl Jam: St. Paul 2014
2014
Film
Pearl Jam: Sponsored By No One - 1995 Tour Film
1995
Film
Pearl Jam: Leeds 2014
2014
Film
Pearl Jam: Dublin 2010
2010
Film
Pearl Jam: VH1 Storytellers
2006
Film
Pearl Jam: Los Angeles 2013 - Night 1
2013
Film
Pearl Jam: Wrigley Field 2013
2013
![Pearl Jam: Safeco Field 2018 - Night 2 - The Home Shows [BTNV]](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w185/gacL3G21Z3XoP6oVrmr0LlHA0H5.jpg)
Film
Pearl Jam: Safeco Field 2018 - Night 2 - The Home Shows [BTNV]
2018
Film
Pearl Jam: Tampa 2016
2016
Film
Pearl Jam: Imola 2022
2022
Film
Pearl Jam: Bologna 2006
2006
Film
Pearl Jam: Wembley 2000
2000
Film
Pearl Jam: Miami 2016
2016
Film
Pearl Jam: Greenville 2016 - The Vs. Show
2016
Film
Pearl Jam: Milton Keynes 2014
2014
![Pearl Jam: Safeco Field 2018 - Night 1 - The Home Shows [Nugs]](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w185/eVuodQT6T0bTJJ3u3WG2jQn9AmK.jpg)
Film
Pearl Jam: Safeco Field 2018 - Night 1 - The Home Shows [Nugs]
Himself
2018
Film
Pearl Jam: Gila River Arena 2022
2022
Film
Pearl Jam: Seattle 2013
2013
![Pearl Jam: Philadelphia 2016 - Night 2 - The Ten Show [Nugs]](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w185/A0OJ0SPgZwVixkYYsq6hFrjCP47.jpg)
Film
Pearl Jam: Philadelphia 2016 - Night 2 - The Ten Show [Nugs]
2016
Film
Pearl Jam: Stockholm 2012
2012
Film
Pearl Jam: Jacksonville 2016
2016
Film
Pearl Jam: The TV Master Archive 1992 - 2017
2017
Film
Mad Season: Live at the Moore
Self
1995
![Pearl Jam: Buenos Aires 2005 [La Viola TV]](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w185/nAdSUULk80hPbkJrzxk5j2IzBPl.jpg)
Film
Pearl Jam: Buenos Aires 2005 [La Viola TV]
2005
Film
Pearl Jam: New York City 2010 - Night 1
2010
Film
Pearl Jam: London 2018
2018
Film
Pearl Jam: Live In Milan '92
1992
Film
Pearl Jam: Milwaukee 2014 - The Yield Show
2014
Film
Pearl Jam: Santiago 2005 - Night 2
2005
Film
Pearl Jam: Glendale 2013
2013
Film
Pearl Jam: Lincoln 2014
2014
Film
Pearl Jam: Tower Records - Rockville, MD
1991
Film
Pearl Jam: Budapest 2022
2022
![Pearl Jam: Mural Amphitheatre, Seattle 1991 [single cam]](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w185/2DyBQcIbT1eXkQ1pGZYn0DYcoM2.jpg)
Film
Pearl Jam: Mural Amphitheatre, Seattle 1991 [single cam]
1991
Film
Pearl Jam: New York City 2010 - Night 2
2010
Film
Pearl Jam: Bridge School Benefit 1996
1996
Film
Pearl Jam: Verona 2000
2000
Film
Pearl Jam: Hartford 2013
2013
Film
Pearl Jam: St. Louis 2014
2014
![Pearl Jam: Safeco Field 2018 - Night 1 - The Home Shows [BTNV]](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w185/3wFCzhmJdYmqD0cH44Plr2N6j8s.jpg)
Film
Pearl Jam: Safeco Field 2018 - Night 1 - The Home Shows [BTNV]
2018
Film
Pearl Jam: MTV Unplugged
Guitar
1992
Film
Pearl Jam: Riot Act - Live At Chop Suey
Himself
2002
Film
Pearl Jam: Philadelphia 2013 - Night 1
2013
Film
Pearl Jam: Rio de Janeiro 2011
2011
Film
Pearl Jam: Oklahoma City 2013
2013
Film
Pearl Jam: Hard Rock Calling, London 2010
2010
Film
Pearl Jam: Lollapalooza Chile 2013
2013
![Pearl Jam: Lollapalooza Brazil 2013 [BTNV]](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w185/8S8RUYtpB13B6e4Ki5WW41yZXnK.jpg)
Film
Pearl Jam: Lollapalooza Brazil 2013 [BTNV]
2013
Film
Pearl Jam Twenty - The Fans Are Alright
2021
Film
Pearl Jam: Fenway Park 2016 - Night 1
2016
Film
Pearl Jam: Nightfile - A Night with Pearl Jam
2001
Film
Pearl Jam: Melbourne 2009
2009
Film
Pearl Jam: Bridge School Benefit 1994 - Night 2
1994
Film
Pearl Jam: Philadelphia 2013 - Night 2
2013
Film
BOOM! A Film About the Sonics
Himself
2018
Film
Pearl Jam: Philadelphia 2016 - Night 1
2016
Film
Pearl Jam: Chicago 2023 - Night 1
Guitar
2023
![Pearl Jam: Wrigley Field 2016 - Night 2 [BTNV]](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w185/uBJfBg9dkd7lYMHdntiZTZXq99i.jpg)
Film
Pearl Jam: Wrigley Field 2016 - Night 2 [BTNV]
2016
Film
Pearl Jam: Heineken Jammin' Festival, Venice 2010
2010
Film
Pearl Jam: Manchester 2012 - Night 1
2012
Film
Pearl Jam: Camden, NJ 2022
2022
Film
Pearl Jam: Voodoo Festival - New Orleans 2013
2013
![Pearl Jam: Philadelphia 2016 - Night 2 - The Ten Show [BTNV]](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w185/4daXLF1UbEvI0ytBnr0KHaHRLn3.jpg)
Film
Pearl Jam: Philadelphia 2016 - Night 2 - The Ten Show [BTNV]
2016
Film
Pearl Jam: Los Angeles 2022 - Night 1
2022
Film
Pearl Jam: Barcelona 2006
2006
![PearlJam: Wrigley Field 2016 - Night 2 [YT]](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w185/gKBHIavQ3ZRoZigWz8TnddAYhXS.jpg)
Film
PearlJam: Wrigley Field 2016 - Night 2 [YT]
2016
Film
Pearl Jam: Warfield Theater, San Francisco 1992
1992
Film
Pearl Jam: Lisbon 2006 - Night 2
2006
Film
Pearl Jam: Philadelphia 2024 - Night 2
2024
Film
Pearl Jam: Gimli Motorsport Park 1993
1993
Film
Pearl Jam: Downing Stadium, NY 1996
1996
Film
Pearl Jam: Sorpasso 1992
1992
Film
Pearl Jam: Vitalogy
Guitar, Backing Vocals
2025