Expert: MartinStJohn - 2/27/2008

Question
What were some of the contributions that Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, and Red Hot Chili Peppers made to the alternative rock era?

Answer
lindsey, if you mean as far as songs, you don't really have to go any further than to google the artists and find their online sites to find their discography. If you mean their biggest hits then here goes:
Pearl Jam-evenflow/jeremy/black/alive
Stone Temple Pilots-creep/plush/sex type thing
RHCP's-higher ground(written by stevie wonder tho), under the bridge/give it away//breaking the girl/.

However, in my opinion, none of these artists truly represent the alternative rock era, other than to stand as shining examples of how alternative rock could be commercialized. That's not a slam, in of itself, but the truth. They are good 'rock' bands in reality,  but they aren't what started the alternative movement. To an extent i would even consider them the next in the chain of evolution of arena rock, cuz that's what most of their fans were: arena rockers. Arena rock fans go to major concert halls and open arenas to hear their bands....  Unlike the fans of original alternative who basically were college kids listening to indie labels and seeing their favorite bands in college bars, small clubs, and listening to them on college radio.  All the styles that fit under the original alternative helmet later became to be known as brit pop, synthpop, industrial, shoegazer(the english counterpart to grunge), and trip hop, totally separate of mainstream alternative which was commercialized in the united states by bands such as Nirvana, STP, RHCPs, 311, Everclear, and Pearl Jam among others. Further things that were thrust under the alternative helmet for awhile were artists such as Limp Bizkit and Korn which are clearly rap/metal. Today, the last bastion for the alternative format is college radio. However, in many cases the formats for college radio are so wide that they'll play practically anything indie which could be bluegrass, indie country, one chord (or no chord) punk, experimental non rhythmic electronic noise, indie rap, or whatever, just anything to fill airtime. This is from the perspective of someone who is an ex-atlanta resident...this may or may not be your viewpoint...and i take no responsibility for my twisted opinions.
Martin
b'ham,al,U.S.