MUMBAI: It is no rocket science to understand that Eddie Vedder is more than a musician. Vedder is a poet, a thinker, a rebel of sorts, a dreamer, a firm believer in music, an inspiration, women’s rights supporter, a romantic visionary, and now 51-years-old. At a time, when musicians make the back pages for shunning streaming services, controversial remarks, record labels, and petty remarks, Vedder talks about life, society, politics, arts, tragedies, moments of glory and hope.
In his several avatars, the Chicago-born songwriter attempted to change the way society worked (or rather didn’t). Thirty-five years ago, Vedder was alone, and like many introverts, as a musician, the Pearl Jam vocalist found a companion in music. Life changed in several ways for Edward Louis Severson III, or Eddie, that started with the revelation that his step-father wasn’t after all his biological one.
He is known for his powerful baritone vocals. Of all the ways Vedder contributed in making the world of music (or more) a better place for all, we shortlist some of the invaluable lessons and gifts that have created a huge impact on modern-age generation- mostly through his songwriting.
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1. Vedder has a knack for powerful lyrics, and one such example comes through ‘Society’ from the movie ‘Into The Wild’. The first four lines, in a way, precisely portray what he thinks about the society
“It’s a mystery to me
We have a greed with which we have agreed
You think you have to want more than you need
Until you have it all you won’t be free.”
2. Various gems surfaced through Eddie Vedder’s contribution for ‘Into The Wild’. Like ‘Society’, another track that, yet again, proved the effect the songwriter creates, is ‘Guaranteed’.
3. On-stage heroics transformed from climbing to the roof and Vedder continued to inspire every stage he sang on, with covers of popular compositions.
In the past year or so, Vedder covered John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ on several occasions with the videos going viral on social media the day later.
4. Covering legendary tracks began for Vedder since early Pearl Jam days, and the Grammy nominated musician collaborated with various bands and artists to re-create the magic. Here’s Pearl Jam and Neil Young performing ‘Peace and Love’
5. Prayers of Pearl Jam fans were answered when Vedder performed with Roger Waters. The duo covered Pink Floyd’s classic ‘Comfortably Numb’ at Sandy Relief Concert in New York, three years ago.
6. This quote
“These pop songs almost feel like tabloid journalism, in a way. It’s crap that people seem to like. And I don’t know if it has meaning. I don’t know if one of the pop songs of the summer has any fibre in it. People are consuming it, and is it healthy? I don’t know. Maybe it’s some kind of way of taking themselves away from their problems. Maybe there’s some healthy property or some restorative property that I’m not receiving. It seems like it has a really high fructose content.”
7. And another one
“People on death row, the treatment of animals, women’s right to choose. So much in America is based on religious fundamentalist Christianity. Grow up! This is the modern world!”
8. This iconic image
9. His flawless vocals in Hindi with Pakistani legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
10. The last four lines of ‘Black’ from arguably their greatest album so far- ‘Ten’. These lines still stand out as the most poetic heart-break anthem almost 25 years since its release
“I know someday you’ll have a beautiful life,
I know you’ll be a star in somebody else’s sky,
But why, why, why can’t it be, can’t it be mine?”
Revisit the song here- Eddie at his best
