Happy 50th Birthday Mike McCready: Seattle Sit-Ins & More

Today Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready turns 50-years-old. Born in Florida but raised in Seattle, Washington, McCready’s contributions to his hometown’s music scene is undeniably important. While best known for his work with Pearl Jam, the guitarist was also part of notable groups Temple Of The Dog and Mad Season, both of which were made up of fellow Seattle-area musicians. In honor of Mike’s half-century of life, here’s a look at some appearances he’s made outside of Pearl Jam with a variety of performers in various venues around Seattle.

McCready often appears around his hometown for benefits and tributes, including this sit-in with Brandi Carlile in September 2012 for a cover of “Wild Horses” by The Rolling Stones. Held at The Triple Door, the event was the Annual Raise the Roof Benefit for the Looking Out Foundation. Watch the duo collaborate here:

In November 2012, McCready was part of a Tribute to Jimi Hendrix at the Experience Music Project (EMP) near the Space Needle. Performing at the museum’s Sky Church with the likes of fellow Seattle native and Guns N’ Roses member Duff McKagan and his Mad Season band mate Barrett Martin, watch McCready shred “VooDoo Child” while also taking on lead vocals:

Back in November 2014 McCready appeared solo at the start of the Seattle Sounders MLS Western Conference Semifinal match against FC Dallas at CenturyLink Field. Mike give a ripping rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” firing up the Emerald City Supporters ahead of the big match:

Last May, McCready joined Seattle-area native and Heart vocalist Ann Wilson at the Showbox for the 13th annual Flight To Mars benefit concert for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America’s Camp Oasis program. It marked the debut of the Ann Wilson Blues Experience, featuring McCready, Dave Matthews Band bassist Stefan Lessard and Heart drummer Ben Smith. Watch a pair of Led Zeppelin covers, complete with Mike breaking out a bow:

McCready’s Mad Season band mate, the late Alice In Chains frontman Layne Staley was honored in January of last year with a special Sonic Evolution series performance by the Seattle Symphony. Staley, who tragically died 14 years ago today, was honored by a performance of Mad Season’s “Wake Up” featuring McCready, Martin, McKagen, Kim Virant and Pearl Jam’s Matt Cameron. Watch the emotional tribute from Benaroya Hall below: