On September 20, 1996, Pearl Jam graced The Ed Sullivan Theater for a memorable performance on "The Late Show with David Letterman." At this point in their career, they had just released their highly acclaimed album, *No Code*, which came out a month earlier in August. This album marked a significant shift for the band, as it showcased a more experimental sound, moving away from the grunge-heavy roots of their earlier works. One interesting tidbit about this era is that Pearl Jam chose to take a different approach with the promotion of *No Code*, opting for less mainstream visibility. Instead, they embraced a more intimate connection with their fans, which was reflected in the raw energy of their live performances, including the one in the iconic theater all those years ago. It’s amazing to think how this moment in front of the camera intertwined with their evolving identity as artists, don’t you think?