Scores Hurt At Gorge During Pearl Jam Show

CONCERT REVIEW Neil Young with Booker T & the MGs, Pearl Jam and Blind Melon in concert yesterday at the Gorge. ------------------------------

GEORGE, Grant County - Pearl Jam played for 1 1/2 hours here last night, whipping the audience into hysteria.

After audience members tore down two metal fences, some people ran and slid down a 25-foot drop and hurled themselves past guards in an effort to rush the stage.

About 100 people were treated for minor injuries, according to Dave Hugelmeyer, a doctor in the medical area. Several people also suffered broken bones, he said. Five people were taken to hospitals in Moses Lake and Wenatchee.

Five people were arrested for disorderly conduct and trespassing, said Creighton Burke, director of marketing for MCA Concerts, which put on the show.

As Pearl Jam tore into "Once" and singer Eddie Vedder howled, "Once upon a time I could control myself," the 19,000-strong crowd was like a caged beast suddenly unleashed.

The band performed a mix of old and new songs with raw, vibrant fury. Songs from their release due out next month, proved as hard-edged and soulful as cuts from their smash release "Ten."

Some of the new songs are melodic and haunting, while others pummeled listeners with speed and rage.

As the sky over the Columbia River turned an orange black, Pearl Jam played favorites including "Jeremy," "In a State of Love and Trust" and "Black."

They performed the mesmerizing "Garden," squeezing distortion out of each instrument.

The band performed an extended, thunderous rendition of "Alive," in which Vedder ad-libbed a few venemous phrases. As he hit his chest yelling "I'm still alive," the audience roared back.

For the encore, Mudhoneys' Mark Arm performed with the band.

Then Neil Young performed songs from his latest release, "Harvest Moon" as well classics such as "Down by the River" and Jimi Hendrix's "All Along the WatchTower."

Neo-psychedelic band "Blind Melon" opened the show, performing its hit "No Rain."