| Boom Gaspar | |
| Birth Name: | Kenneth E. Gaspar |
| Birth Date: | 3 February 1953 |
| Birth Place: | Waimānalo, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Genre: | Rock, alternative rock, blues rock |
| Occupation: | Musician |
| Years Active: | mid 1970s–present |
| Instrument: | Keyboards |
| Associated Acts: | Pearl Jam, Neil Young |
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.
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.
See 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]
| 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 |