Pearl Jam Turned Down Tour with Guns N' Roses and U2 in 1991

Pearl Jam has never been light in the resolve department.

The legendary Seattle rock band has always held dear its convictions, be they social, political, musical or otherwise. 

So when Pearl Jam, a young band at the time which had just released its landmark debut, Ten, was offered a tour with two of the biggest rock bands of all-time, U2 and Guns N' Roses, they turned it down, and there was no convincing them otherwise.

Former Guns N' Roses manager Doug Goldstein recently recalled to Guns N' Roses fan site Guns N' Roses Central one of the most stunning No's he's ever gotten in the music business.

Goldstein recalled GNR frontman Axl Rose practically begging him to make the tour—or even just a few shows—happen, saying he would play for free just for the chance to share a bill with both bands.

U2 was an immediate Yes. Goldstein said Rose told him that U2 could headline, even thought GNR had more traction.

"We were bigger than U2 at the time, but it wasn’t about who was going to close, and it wasn’t that Axl wanted to kick their ass, he just wanted to do this show."

Goldstein was backstage at a GNR show in Tel Aviv and got on speaker phone with Pearl Jam's manager Kelly Curtis.

"‘Kelly, I need to talk to you, it’s kind of important," Goldstein recalled saying. 

"‘Yeah I don’t care. What do you want?’" responded Kelly.

Goldstein recalled yelling over the noise, struggling to hear while relating the incredible opportunity.

Kelly declined.

"'I said, ‘Okay hang on a second, I manage Guns, and when an idea comes to me, I usually talk to the band,’" Goldstein continued. "I go, ‘Are you speaking on behalf of the band?’"

"He goes, ‘Yeah, we’re going to pass?’"

Kelly cursed at Goldstein, hung up and that was that.

It's not clear what was behind Pearl Jam's lack of interest, although it's probably safe to say they don't regret that decision; Pearl Jam has been a headliner ever since.

By 1991, Guns N' Roses already had a reputation as being difficult to work with. Plus, the previous year they had fired founding drummer Steven Adler due to his drug abuse. 

Also in 1991, the grunge movement was starting to take hold. Many '80s artists were losing industry support or being dropped altogether by their labels. It's possible Kelly thought GNR was losing steam and that U2 was going to be a relic sooner than later.

Or maybe Pearl Jam just had previous commitments.We may never know.

Pearl Jam heads out on tour this summer. Get all the tour dates here. 

Photo: Getty Images