Happy 61st Birthday Eddie Vedder!

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Eddie Jerome Vedder (born Edward Louis Severson III) celebrated sixty one years on the planet today. Eddie Vedder is one of my favourite voices in rock n roll. I'll never forget the first time I photographed Pearl Jam. I didnt know who Eddie Vedder was so I asked Jay, another photographer who was next to me in the photo pit in front of the stage. He said you'll know who Vedder is as soon as he opens his mouth and the voice emerges. He was spot on! Since then, I've phototographed Pearl Jam many times. Each an amazing experience. Each differs, and each is so much fun. I adore the music as well, so there's that. Last time I shot Pearl Jam was at Bottlerock Napa, May 2024. Pearl Jam headlined and it included a surprise appearance by Bradley Cooper, who joined Eddie Vedder to perform "Maybe It's Time" from A Star Is Born, recreating a movie moment on stage. It was kinda stunning with Cooper and Vedder singing together on stage.

First time I ran into Danny, whilst walking in the crowd at Bottlerock.

The best thing that has ever happened to me at a Pearl Jam concert was shooting alongside one of my favorite music photographers in the world - The great Danny Clinch. Clinch has captured most of the iconic Pearl Jam photos as well as many familiar Springsteen photos. He interned under Annie Leibovitz. And for me, he has always been one of my favorite photographers. Danny is based in New Jersey so I was a little surprised that he was on the West Coast to shoot them but it was a really nice surprise. During the Pearl Jam set at Bottlerock before they come onstage we chatted mainly about photo gear.

During the weekend we ran into each other several times so we got to talk, and I shared with him that I wrote to him a decade or more ago, offering to be his assistant. I think that was the only "fan-like" letter I've ever written! So to be photographing PJ with Danny Clinch was really special to me. I'm very grateful for this gig and look forward to the next time! Today, in honor of Eddies birthday I'm re posting a previous article from one of the past shows. This one is from the tour following Covid....  (Photos on this post, captured 2014-2024).

Cheers to Eddie Vedder!

Post from May 2022:

Pearl Jam goes on, but Covid-19 takes Matt Cameron out of the show.

What is Pearl Jam without Eddie Vedder? The same thing Pearl Jam is without their star drummer Matt Cameron. In my opinion hard hitting Camerons' sound keeps the thread running through the music of Pearl Jam. Without Cameron people dont bob their heads and the music lacks a strong foundational back beat. And Pearl Jam without that, definitely feels as if something is missing. Well on this night, Matt Cameron tested positive for Covid-19, so he sat out the Oakland gig. PJ decided not to postpone or cancel this show in Oakland, as they have the twice before. Although they pulled it together at the last minute with two fill in drummers, Josh Klinghoffer and Richard Stuverud. And one added from the audience, Josh Arroyo for the last song, Yellow Ledbetter. The sound was less powerful than it is with Cameron on the throne. However, to say the show wasn't enjoyed would be a lie.

I love this band. But I love this band with Matt Cameron. Musically I feel that he makes the signature sound of Pearl Jam. Like RUSH wouldn't be the same sound without Neil Peart. Or as if Eddie Vedder could not perform, it just wouldn't be Pearl Jam without him. The Who has never sounded like it did when Moonie was alive. I know the band knows this. They kept applauding the audience as if to say, "I know its not as good with out our drummer but this is what we got so we didnt have to cancel this show". Cancel the show is what I think they should've done. But they didn't, and they had others fill in, instead. Josh Klinghoffer was the first drummer we saw when the show opened as he was also their opening act, going under the name of Pluralone. Hes a multi instumentalist and long time guitarist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He and a guy who reminded me of Animal from Sesame Street, Richard Stuverud divided the songs up and filled in for the duration of the show, until they got to the last song in which they used audience member volunteer, Josh Arroyo. It was all okay. They got the band by that night, only to cancel a few of the next shows booked.

The show opened with Eddie Vedder coming out to do two songs solo on acoustic guitar. Neil Youngs' “The Needle and the Damage Done”, and a Tom Petty tune “I Won’t Back Down”. Vedder went on to introduce Pluralone, (Josh Klinghoffer). Josh would return to the stage to play drums with Pearl Jam that night sharing the throne with friend of the band, Richard Stuverud. PJ played for 2 hours and 40 minutes. All the hits were heard, plus some.

Capturing PJ is always fun. The anticipation for them to return (for me) lasts all year round. I still love PJ live. If you haven't had the pleasure of catching them, I would highly suggest it. Someday, I want to see them in their home town of Seattle. There are not many voices I like better than Vedders'. Maybe not for some, but for me, his is one of my faves. The photographers on this night were shooting from the back, by the soundboard (again). As you can imagine, the pit is far more preferable. But I shoot from where the promoters/artists ask me to shoot from. Anyway you slice it, when I go to a Pearl Jam show, I always have fun!

Here are some photos from that show without its' star drummer... ©Cheryl Alterman Photography 2022

©Cheryl Alterman Photography 2022