Photo by Tour Bus Live

Today Pearl Jam bassist and co-founder Jeff Ament turns 60 years old!

Ament formed Pearl Jam in 1990 first with guitarists Stone Gossard and Mike McCready before they recruited Eddie Vedder and drummer Dave Krusen. But before Pearl Jam, Jeff was a part of a variety of bands throughout the 1980s. In 1983, Jeff moved to Seattle and joined the band Green River, which Stone Gossard was also a part of. After Green River disbanded, Ament and Gossard formed Mother Love Bone in 1988 and later joined Temple of the Dog, which was a project founded by Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell.

Once Pearl Jam officially came together, they became a key component of the 1990s grunge movement. Along with the bass, Ament also contributed backing vocals and songwriting to many of Pearl Jam’s hits including the music for Jeremy and Nothingman along with the lyrics for Pilate, Low Light, Gods’ Dice, Nothing as it Seems, Help Help, Other Side, and Sweet Lew.

To celebrate Jeff Ament’s 60 years, watch Pearl Jam perform at PINKPOP 1992 here: