Mike McCready, the guitarist for Pearl Jam, has released a graphic novel and rock opera called *Farewell to Seasons* through Z2 Comics. This project took him 20 years to create and is set in Seattle’s music scene from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s.
“It’s a story I’ve been developing for many years, inspired by the creativity, community, and chaos of the Seattle music scene,” McCready said. The graphic novel tells a historical fantasy story, and it comes with a “lost” rock opera featuring original music from the perspective of David Williams, one of the main characters, who is modeled after McCready himself. The cast also includes Angela Sunrise and Jonathan Alexander. McCready collaborated with writer Mark Sable and illustrator Sebastian Piriz on the project.
McCready started this project during the COVID pandemic. He reached out to director Cameron Crowe for advice and initially wanted to create a stage musical. However, Z2 suggested the graphic novel format instead. The rock opera features six songs, with McCready singing lead. He took vocal lessons for two to three years before recording. Molly Sides from Thunderpussy provides backup vocals, while Duff McKagan and Stefan Lessard play bass. Mike Musburger, Chris Friel, and Nate Yaccino handle the drums.
Pre-orders for *Farewell to Seasons* are available now, and physical copies will hit stores on October 6. The music will only be included in deluxe editions, so it won’t be available on streaming services at launch.
McCready has been playing guitar for 35 years and has been part of bands like Temple of the Dog and Mad Season. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Pearl Jam.
