6 fateful moments that helped Pearl Jam survive

Spin turned back to 30 years of Pearl Jam, trying to explain the how:

The ability to say "No" to anything that didn’t feel right

Getting Jack Irons to play with them - he was the grounding force that allowed the band to concentrate on music

Having Neil Young as a friend - he helped them keep their heads on straight through all manner of turmoil and triumph

Getting a perspective - Eddie Vedder got into a crappy van in 1995 to play sideman on Minuteman bassist Mike Watt’s solo club tour

Having Pete Townshend as a friend - after the 2000 Roskilde Festival tragedy The Who’s Pete Townshend helped the band survive with advice and consolation

Getting Matt Cameron into the band - the former Soundgarden drummer was just the friendly quick study who could learn the band’s catalog in three weeks, saving the summer tour right then and there and in fact turning it into a particular powerhouse