Legendary director Cameron Crowe was a long time friend of Pearl Jam‘s manager, Kelly Curtis.

It was around 1990 on the night of Andy Wood‘s (Mother Love Bone) death that, following a gathering at Curtis’ house, Crowe decided to rewrite the old script he had for Singles.

 

But the “Seattle sound” wasn’t going to be only heard in the soundtrack. During the rewrite, Crowe immersed himself in the grunge music scene spending a lot of time with Pearl Jam & co. for inspiration. The influence was such that the director actually wrote parts for some of them with Jeff, Eddie and Stone featuring as members of the fictitious band Citizen Dick, fronted by Cliff Poncier, played by Matt Dillon (who really was a dick in the movie!)

 

Last year Legacy Recordings actually put out Citizen Dick’s record “Touch Me, I’m Dick” on Record Store Day! (Sounds familiar? Ahem ahem, Mudhoney, anyone?)

 Cameron Crowe went on to direct Pearl Jam’s 20th anniversary documentary, PJ20. It was out in the cinemas for one night only, if I remember correctly. I’d never seen the cinema so packed as on that 20 Sept 2011.