Mike McCready

Mike McCready is a musician and songwriter, renowned as the founding member and lead guitarist of the band Pearl Jam.

McCready was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of Pearl Jam. His contributions to Pearl Jam's songwriting process are significant, including co-writing the music for "Yellow Ledbetter" and writing the music for "Given to Fly." He has been recognized as one of the most underrated guitarists in the history of rock by Adam Perry of City Pages. His guitar solos from "Alive" and "Yellow Ledbetter" were featured on Guitar World's "100 Greatest Guitar Solos" list.

He has battled with Crohn's disease and has worked to bring awareness of the disease. He participates in charity events and regularly donates to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation.

McCready's life and career have been captured in his book, "Of Potato Heads and Polaroids: My Life Inside and Out of Pearl Jam."

McCready has been a part of several side project bands such as Flight to Mars, Temple of the Dog, Mad Season, and The Rockfords.

His musical journey began at the age of eleven when he started playing guitar, inspired to continue after witnessing a Stevie Ray Vaughan concert. His first recording studio experience was with the Temple of the Dog project, where he performed a celebrated solo for the song "Reach Down," which McCready considers one of his proudest moments.