Eddie Vedder is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who has become one of the most influential rock vocalists of the past few decades, thanks to his captivating stage presence and intense vocal delivery. His powerful baritone voice has also allowed him to collaborate with some of the biggest names in music history, including legendary rock band Pink Floyd and iconic singer-songwriter Neil Young. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most notable collaborations Eddie Vedder has had over the years.
Collaborations With Pearl Jam Members
Eddie Vedder is best known as the lead vocalist of Pearl Jam, one of the most popular and critically-acclaimed rock bands of the 1990s and beyond. Throughout his career with the band, Vedder has collaborated with his fellow band members on a number of different projects. Some of the most notable include the following:
Mike McCready
Mike McCready is Pearl Jam’s lead guitarist, and he and Vedder have worked together on a number of different projects outside of their work with the band. One of their most notable collaborations is the song “Hunger Strike,” which was released in 1991 by the band Temple of the Dog. The song features Vedder and Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell trading off on vocals, and it remains one of the most iconic songs of the grunge era.
Jeff Ament
Jeff Ament is Pearl Jam’s bassist, and he and Vedder have collaborated on a number of different musical projects over the years. One of their most notable collaborations is the song “Long Road,” which appears on the soundtrack for the film “Dead Man Walking.” The song features Vedder on vocals and Ament on bass, and it showcases Vedder’s ability to tackle complex, emotionally-driven subject matter.
Collaborations With Other Musicians
In addition to his work with his fellow Pearl Jam band members, Eddie Vedder has collaborated with a number of other musicians and artists throughout his career. Here are some of the most notable:
Neil Young
Neil Young is one of the most influential singer-songwriters of all time, and he and Vedder have worked together on a number of different projects over the years. One of their most notable collaborations is the album “Mirror Ball,” which Young released in 1995 with Vedder on vocals. The album features some of Young’s most powerful and emotionally-driven songs, and Vedder’s voice adds an extra layer of intensity and emotion to the proceedings.
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen is another iconic singer-songwriter who has collaborated with Eddie Vedder over the years. One of their most noteworthy collaborations is the song “No Surrender,” which was originally released on Springsteen’s 1984 album “Born in the USA.” Vedder has covered the song on multiple occasions, and his powerful voice adds a new dimension to Springsteen’s already-explosive rock anthem.
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd is one of the most legendary rock bands of all time, and Vedder had the opportunity to collaborate with them on their 2014 album “The Endless River.” Vedder provides background vocals for the song “Unsung,” which appears on the album, and his voice blends perfectly with Pink Floyd’s trademark psychedelic sound.
Conclusion
Eddie Vedder is one of the most talented and influential rock vocalists of the past few decades, and his ability to collaborate with some of the biggest names in music history is a testament to his talent and versatility. Whether he’s working with his Pearl Jam band mates or collaborating with other artists, Vedder’s voice is an integral part of some of the most iconic songs in rock history. Clearly, his impressive resume of collaborations is a testament to just how highly regarded he is by his fellow musicians, as well as to his own unique abilities as a vocalist and artist.
FAQ
Who did Eddie Vedder sing with before Pearl Jam?
Before becoming the iconic voice of Pearl Jam, Eddie Vedder fronted the San Diego-based rock band Bad Radio. In 1988, the band released their debut album, “Unfortunate Result of Spare Time,” which showcased Vedder’s unique vocal style and songwriting abilities. Bad Radio gained a local following and even opened for bands like The Jesus and Mary Chain and KISS.
Vedder’s time with Bad Radio was short-lived, however, as he received a demo tape from Seattle-based band, Mookie Blaylock, that would soon become Pearl Jam. Vedder added his vocals to three of the band’s songs, which impressed the Mookie Blaylock members and led to Vedder joining the band as their lead singer. Mookie Blaylock later renamed themselves Pearl Jam, and the rest is history.
Despite his brief stint with Bad Radio, Vedder has remained appreciative of the band’s influence on his music career. In fact, he has occasionally performed some of Bad Radio’s songs during his solo performances. Although Bad Radio never achieved the same level of success as Pearl Jam, it played a significant role in shaping the musical talent of Eddie Vedder and contributed to the development of his unique singing style.
Did Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell get along?
Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell were two of the most iconic figures in the grunge music scene that emerged from Seattle in the early 1990s. Both were influential in shaping the sound of the genre, and their paths often crossed as they collaborated on numerous music projects. Despite their different personalities and musical styles, Vedder and Cornell had a steadfast friendship that lasted for several years until Cornell’s tragic death in 2017.
Their friendship began in 1990 when Cornell was working on an album called Temple of the Dog, which was a tribute to his late friend Andrew Wood who died of a heroin overdose. Vedder, who was a close friend of Wood’s, was asked to contribute vocals to the album, which resulted in the creation of one of the most iconic songs of the era, “Hunger Strike.”
After the success of Temple of the Dog, Vedder and Cornell collaborated on several projects, including the Singles soundtrack and the Mad Season album. They often performed together at live shows and charity events and shared a bond that extended beyond music. In an interview, Vedder discussed the deep connection he shared with Cornell, stating, “I didn’t have a brother, but I had Chris.”
Despite their friendship, Vedder and Cornell were known to have different personalities. Vedder was known for his introverted nature, while Cornell was more outgoing. However, their differing personalities never affected their friendship, which stood the test of time.
In 2017, the music world was stunned by the news of Chris Cornell’s death. Vedder paid tribute to his friend by performing a heart-wrenching rendition of Neil Young’s “The Needle and The Damage Done” during a live show. It was evident from Vedder’s emotional performance that he had lost someone who was more than just a friend.
Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell shared a close and longstanding friendship that lasted for several years. Their bond extended beyond music and despite their differing personalities, they remained connected till Cornell’s death. Their friendship was a testament to the power of music to bring people together and transcend boundaries.
Who is the current lead singer of Pearl Jam?
The current lead singer of Pearl Jam, one of the most influential and successful rock bands of the 1990s, is Eddie Vedder. Vedder joined Pearl Jam in 1990, shortly after the band was formed in Seattle. He was initially hired to provide background vocals on some of the band’s songs, but his powerful voice and charismatic stage presence quickly earned him a leading role as the band’s frontman.
Vedder’s distinctive voice and introspective lyrics have become hallmarks of Pearl Jam’s sound. He is known for his anguished, soulful delivery and for his deeply personal songwriting, which often grapples with themes such as isolation, alienation, and the search for meaning and connection.
Despite the intense scrutiny and pressure that come with being the frontman of a major rock band, Vedder has remained committed to his craft and to his fan base. He has continued to write and record music with Pearl Jam, as well as pursuing various solo projects and collaborations with other artists.
Vedder’s solo work has also been well received by critics and fans. His debut solo release was the 2007 soundtrack album for the film Into the Wild, for which Vedder won a Golden Globe for the song “Guaranteed.” In 2012, Vedder’s sophomore solo album, Ukulele Songs, received a Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album.
Eddie Vedder has become one of the most enduring and respected figures in contemporary rock music, and his contributions to Pearl Jam and the broader musical landscape are widely recognized and celebrated.
What is Pearl Jam’s best selling song?
Pearl Jam is a rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. The band has gained a large following over the years and has released numerous popular songs throughout their career. One of their most well-known songs is “Last Kiss”, which was originally written and recorded by Wayne Cochran in 1961.
Pearl Jam covered the song in 1998 as a tribute to Cochran, who passed away in 2017. The cover version was released as a single and quickly gained popularity, becoming the band’s highest-charting single. “Last Kiss” peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, staying on the chart for 32 weeks. It was also a top 10 hit in several other countries, including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
The success of “Last Kiss” propelled Pearl Jam’s popularity even further and helped solidify their reputation as one of the most significant bands of the 1990s. The song is often cited as a fan favorite, and its emotional lyrics and catchy melody continue to resonate with audiences today.
While “Last Kiss” is Pearl Jam’s best-selling song, the band has had many other hits throughout their career, including “Even Flow”, “Jeremy”, and “Alive”. Despite facing setbacks and changes over the years, Pearl Jam’s music remains popular and continues to attract new fans.
What Beatles songs have Pearl Jam covered?
Pearl Jam, one of the most famous rock bands in the world, has covered several Beatles songs over the years. In 2006, the band performed a rendition of “Rockin’ in the Free World” at Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London, England, which seamlessly transitioned into the Beatles song “I’ve Got a Feeling.”
In 2013, Pearl Jam added to their list of Beatles covers by performing “Hey Bulldog” during their show in London, England. The band has also covered “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” as part of their live shows.
One of Pearl Jam’s most notable Beatles covers came in 2016 when the band performed “Help!” during a concert in Boston, MA. The band gave the song a harder edge, with Eddie Vedder’s powerful vocals adding a completely new dimension to the song.
Another noteworthy Beatles cover by Pearl Jam occurred in 2017 when the band performed “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd, but seamlessly transitioned into the classic Beatles song “Interlude/Little Wing.” This shows not only their talent but also their ability to use their music to pay homage to other legendary bands.
However, the most recent Beatles song that Pearl Jam has covered is “Her Majesty.” In 2019, the band played the song in Toronto to honor Queen Elizabeth II.
Pearl Jam has shown time and time again that they are not afraid to tackle some of the Beatles’ most iconic songs and put their own spin on them. Their covers have added new layers and energy to the classic songs, and as a result, they have further cemented their reputation as one of the most talented and versatile bands of their generation.
