PEARL JAM Adds Josh Klinghoffer as Touring Guitarist

20 September 2021

PEARL JAM took the stage at Asbury Park, NJ’s Sea.Hear.Now Festival on Saturday night for their first concert in three years.

The Seattle rock legends came armed with a newly expanded lineup, as former RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS guitarist Josh Klinghoffer accompanied the band for the entirety of their 20-song headlining set, playing guitar, percussion, and singing backing vocals. Reached for comment, a representative for PEARL JAM confirmed Klinghoffer’s addition as a touring musician.

During their headlining set, PEARL JAM performed several songs from their latest album, Gigaton, live for the first time. They also paid tribute to Charlie Watts by interpolating THE ROLLING STONES’ “Waiting on a Friend” into “Wishlist”; covered Bruce Springsteen’s “My City Ruins”; and brought out Lenny Kaye for their closing performance of “Rockin’ in the Free World.” Watch fan-captured footage of the concert below.

After a 10-year-run with RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, Klinghoffer was dismissed by the band in December 2019 in favor of former guitarist John Frusciante. Klinghoffer has said he holds no ill will towards his former bandmates, calling the decision a “pretty simple” one.

Next weekend, Klinghoffer will join PEARL JAM for a pair of performances at Eddie Vedder’s Ohana Music Festival in Dana Point, CA.