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Boom Gaspar

Boom Gaspar
Boom Gaspar on stage with Pearl Jam in Oakland on November 26, 2013
Boom Gaspar on stage with Pearl Jam in Oakland on November 26, 2013
Background information
Birth nameKenneth E. Gaspar
Born (1953-02-03) February 3, 1953 (age 71)
Waimānalo, Hawaii, U.S.
GenresRock, alternative rock, blues rock
OccupationMusician
InstrumentKeyboards
Years activemid 1970s–present

Kenneth E. "Boom" Gaspar (born February 3, 1953) is an American musician. He has performed as a keyboardist with American rock band Pearl Jam since 2002.

Biography

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Early life

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Boom Gaspar grew up in Waimānalo, Hawaii. He started playing music when he was eleven years old.[1] After graduating from Kailua High School, Gaspar spent the next thirty years doing local shows throughout Hawaii with acts such as the Mackey Feary Band, Harmony, Simplisity, and played in Seattle with first billing with the famous blues guitarist Albert Collins.

Pearl Jam

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Main article: Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder first met Gaspar while in Hawaii.[2] Gaspar was introduced to Vedder through Ramones bassist C. J. Ramone.[1] Gaspar has appeared on the Pearl Jam albums Riot Act (2002), Pearl Jam (2006) and Lightning Bolt (2013). He has a songwriting credit for the song "Love Boat Captain" which is on Riot Act. According to Gaspar, the song initially developed out of a jam session he had with Vedder shortly after the two first met. When they were done, Vedder asked Gaspar if he was "ready to go to Seattle."[3] He has become known for his long solos during "Crazy Mary", a song originally written by Victoria Williams, which has become a fan favorite during live Pearl Jam shows. This often culminates in a guitar/organ duel between Gaspar and guitarist Mike McCready.[4] Gaspar told Keyboard Magazine that his biggest challenge playing with the band was "learning what Pearl Jam is, and learning each of the band members’ different styles. It’s such an education for me. Every night is different and playing with them is amazing. I love challenges. They make you a better player and challenges are what music is all about."[5]

Discography

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Pearl Jam discography

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Year Title Label Track(s)
2002 Riot Act Epic Some
2003 2003 Official Bootlegs (Australia, Japan, and North America) Epic Some
Big Fish: Music from the Motion Picture Sony "Man of the Hour"
2004 Hot Stove, Cool Music, Vol. 1 Fenway "Bu$hleaguer" (live)
Live at Benaroya Hall BMG Some
For the Lady Rhino/WEA "Better Man" (live)
rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991–2003) Epic "I Am Mine", "Save You", and "Man of the Hour"
2005 2005 Official Bootlegs (North America and South America) Ten Club Some
2006 Pearl Jam J Some
2006 Official Bootlegs (North America, Europe, and Australia) Ten Club Some
2007 Live at the Gorge 05/06 Rhino/WEA Some
Live at Lollapalooza 2007 Self-released Some
2008 2008 United States Official Bootlegs Kufala Some
2009 2009 Official Bootlegs Self-released Some
2010 2010 Official Bootlegs Self-released Some
2013 Lightning Bolt Monkey Wrench "Sirens", others
2017 Let's Play Two Republic All

Po & the 4Fathers discography

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Year Title Label Track(s)
2012 Kingdom Come/Do Ya 7" Monkeywrench All

References

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  1. ^ a b Burlingame, Burl. "Way to go Boom!" Honolulu Star-Bulletin. April 20, 2007.
  2. ^ Mills, Fred. "Yield Not". Seattle Weekly. November 6, 2002.
  3. ^ Paiva, Derek. "Friendship takes stage at Pearl Jam concert". The Honolulu Advertiser. December 1, 2006.
  4. ^ Ashare, Matt. "Pearl Jam at the Garden: Less is Still More" Archived September 16, 2006, at the Wayback Machine. The Phoenix. May 26, 2006.
  5. ^ Gallant, Michael. "Boom Gaspar of Pearl Jam". KeyboardMag. Retrieved 2020-01-16.
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