It’s not a secret pearl jam look at The Who, and it looks like a guitarist Mike McCready channeled the spirit of Pete Townshend as he destroyed his Strat, his amp and crankset at the end of Pearl Jam’s last show of their triumphant and troubled European tour.
After a few concert cancellations due to Eddie Vedder’s vocal issues, the July 25 show at Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome went ahead. So who can blame them for blowing off steam, right? Well, that’s a whole new level.
During the final song of the set – a cover of Neil Young’s Rockin’ In The Free World – McCready not only attacked his Sunburst Strat, but also his guitar amp and pedal board.
Thanks to YouTuber George from the Netherlands for the excellent images above.
We’re guessing it was at most the 2021 Custom Shop version of his favorite 1959/60 vintage Strat, and even that was… ouch: it’s a $15,000 guitar!
McCready first throws the Strat, soon to be ex, straight onto his cab. Then begins to use the guitar to demolish what appears to be the front of his Rola Lead Custom (a Seattle company) head. He then uses the guitar to push the head and his cabin backwards. But it is far from finished.
At this point, the Strat’s body is still somewhat alive…at least it’s attached to its neck. But then comes the breaking point; McCready rocks it straight onto his pedalboard – including an unsuspecting Line 6 DL4 – to the amused/shocked gaze of touring bandmate Josh Klinghoffer and the body of the guitar is shattered into pieces.
McCready throws it again, lots of picks fly, and somehow the strings hold the broken pieces together. As if waking up from a daze, the guitarist simply drops what’s left of his Fender and walks away, leaving eager fans disappointed not to get a tune.
For those recoiling in horror right now, we want to assure you that McCready probably got it out of his system, but alas, he’s a repeat offender…