Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament Delivers Heartfelt Tribute to Montana

It has been a few weeks since that gorgeous day at Washington/Grizzly Stadium when Pearl Jam visited us. Missoula was the first stop on the North American leg of the "Dark Matter" tour. As they have done for years now, Pearl Jam chose Montana for one of their limited tour dates.

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If you take a look back at previous times Missoula has hosted a Pearl Jam concert, it has always been during an election year. Particularly in the years that Jon Tester has been on the campaign trail. But why?

We all know that Senator Tester and Jeff Ament are buddies. With a friendship that dates back to their youth growing up in northern Montana. There have been many times that Pearl Jam has played shows that coincide with the Tester campaign.

Jon Tester was elected into the US Senate in 2006, shortly after Pearl Jam played at the Adams Center in Missoula.

Pearl Jam returned to Missoula 6 years later for another Adams Center show in 2012. The same year Tester won his first re-election campaign.

Pearl Jam returned yet again to Missoula in 2018 for a GIANT show at Washington Grizzly Stadium.

Fast forward 6 years, and PJ is back in town. Jeff took a moment during the recent performance in Missoula. He wanted to thank everyone, including the entire community he calls home. He also shared his love for his childhood friend Jon Tester.

Jeff said:

Hanging out with Jon Tester the last couple of days. I've known Jon for 50 years. Jon ref'd my 5th-grade basketball games when he was a senior in High School. I drove a tractor for three summers next to his farm. I would see him driving their versatile out there and I might even have given him a Shaka. Maybe being a little bit of a smartass. But. If you could trust any politician in this world right now. You would trust that guy. Because. He's the ******* real deal.

 

If Tester wins this next election, there are rumors that he will retire after this term. Does that mean Pearl Jam won't be back for another 6 years? Or was this last show one of the last few times we will see the band in our backyard?