Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready brought a distinctly Seattle sound to the Seattle Seahawks’ season opener, performing an electric-guitar version of The Star-Spangled Banner at Lumen Field.
During the pregame ceremony, McCready played the national anthem with heavy distortion, feedback, and expressive guitar work that recalled Jimi Hendrix’s famous interpretation. The performance connected two generations of Seattle guitar history while giving the traditional anthem a raw rock treatment.
McCready has performed the national anthem at Seattle sporting events before and has frequently spoken about Hendrix’s influence on his playing. Hendrix, who was born in Seattle, remains one of the city’s most influential musical figures.
The night also included another connection to Seattle’s rock legacy. McCready joined Soundgarden during the halftime show, bringing members of two major bands from the city’s 1990s music scene onto the same stage.
The performances added a strong local music element to the Seahawks’ opening-night celebrations and highlighted Seattle’s longstanding connection between rock music and its sports community.
