'You're the first person in town to own this album.'

Editor's note: It's taken me more than two weeks to write about the Pearl Jam concert because it was that good. I kept writing and rewriting drafts and just couldn't get it right. So I asked Brad to do it and I think to say he did it justice is an understatement. So, please enjoy my first-ever guest blog!

Guest Author: Brad Dickerson

It’s impossible for me to approach a review of Pearl Jam’s electrifying April 16, 2016 show in Greenville, S.C., without sharing a little personal history.

Flashback to Oct. 19, 1993, and you’d find this then-13-year-old lad having his mom take him to a local record store in Glasgow, Ky., called, conveniently, Record Rack to make a purchase.

This was a big day; it was the day Pearl Jam’s sophomore effort, “Vs.” was being released. And in my hometown of less than 14,000 people, you had two options when it came to buying music – Wal-Mart or Record Rack.

Back in those days, the big box store’s CD shelves were full of albums from a plethora of country artists or more pop-friendly acts like Mariah Carey, Sting and the like. If you wanted a rocker, Record Rack was your destination.

In the center row, I found about seven copies of “Vs.” This was not a decision that needed a second thought; I was ready to make my purchase.

As I handed the CD to the cashier, he commented that it was the first copy he’d sold all day. Then, he said something that I still remember to this day:

“Congratulations. You’re the first person in Glasgow to own this album.”

For the 13-year-old who had been utterly possessed by their legendary debut album, “Ten,” hearing those words made me feel as though I was at the forefront of Pearl Jam fandom.

Which made what transpired more than 20 years later at Greenville’s Bon Secours Wellness Arena all the more earth-shattering for this lifetime fan of the Seattle stalwarts.'

Eddie Vedder and company opened the raucous show with “Corduroy,” which quickly set the tone for the rocking affair myself and 16,000 other fans were in for. It was followed by “Vs.’” opening track, “Go.” Not missing a beat, they segued into track No. 2, “Animal,” followed immediately by “Daughter.” Suddenly, it hit me; are they about to do what I think they’re going to do? We’ll see what the next song is.

And to my absolute delight, it was “Vs.’” fourth track, “Glorified G,” a rollicking face melter that remains my favorite song in Pearl Jam’s catalog. Plus, it confirmed what I was praying was about to happen; they were going to play the album in its entirety from front to back.

Sure enough, the next eight songs were from “Vs.” in sequential order. I could have called it a night right then and there and said the show was well worth the price of admission.

But this is Pearl Jam we’re talking about here. They weren’t even close to done. In fact, they were just getting started.

Having said that, before I continue with this long-winded review (if you’re still reading, then God bless you), I need to pause and reflect on what a moment this was.

In 25 years, Pearl Jam has only played an entire album live two previous times. That means over the course of thousands of shows, only three audiences have gotten to experience what I had just experienced.

Wow.

It’s just part of the magic of seeing this band live; no two setlists are ever the same.I live for seeing bands in concert. It’s just a passion of mine. And like any audience member, I want to hear the hits.

Unfortunately, for a number of acts, they stick to a tried and true script and rarely alter their batting order. That doesn’t mean the shows are any less fun, but it can make them feel a bit stale. You find yourself yearning for one or two wild cards.

Pearl Jam excels at wild cards. One of their biggest hits is unquestionably “Jeremy.” I’ve seen the band live five times and haven’t heard the song once. But I have heard a stellar cover of Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” and a tear-generating version of “Future Days” from their most recent effort, 2013’s “Lightning Bolt.”Both made it into the Greenville setlist. No “Jeremy” required.

And when it was time to wrap it up, the band left everything on the stage with their final four numbers: “Better Man,” an arena-wide singalong of “Alive,” the balls-to-the-wall thunder generated by covering The Who’s “Baba O’ Riley” and the perfect last call number, “Yellow Ledbetter.”

After more than three hours and 32 songs, the band gave their final bows and left the stage.

Our audience was hungry for another three hours. The reason why is simple; Pearl Jam encapsulates rock and roll.

They may have burst onto the scene as one of the ambassadors of grunge at the start of the 1990s. However, as the years passed and many of their contemporaries suffered personal heartache or simply faded away, they evolved into what they’d always been at their core – a classic rock band that is one part Zepellin, two parts Springsteen and a dash of Iggy Pop.

And for one thrilling night, they held all of us in the palm of their hand with their unprecedented set list, infectious energy and a sheer determination to be the best at what they do.

For the 13-year-old who still lives deep inside, it was nice to see that my money was well spent that day at Record Rack. For that purchase would make up a large portion of the greatest concert I’ve ever seen.