Pearl Jam rose above the legions of grungy alt-rockers littering the early '90s to become the most popular and enduring American rock & roll band of their time. Unlike many of their Seattle brethren, Pearl Jam, as a collective, were never signed or affiliated with an indie label -- founding members Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament both were veterans of Green River, one of the first major bands on Sub Pop, though -- and in an age defined by irony, they were unflaggingly sincere. Much of this earnestness stemmed from Eddie Vedder, a lead singer of uncommon charisma and passion who helped the group's arena rock moves seem intimate.