Meeting Ed....?

So, let me just state that I don't frown on people wanting to or raving about meeting him. That's their thing and I don't judge. I just don't get the big deal. He's a guy. A human male like many of us. I met Matt backstage at a SG concert back in 95, and he spoke to me as a normal person for about 20 minutes, totally humble, cool, whathaveyou, but there was nothing particularly special (no offence, Matt!) about it.
Honestly, if I saw Ed in public I'd probably turn the other way knowing he probably gets tired of being bothered all the time.
Does anyone have a profound Ed experience that might shed some light on this obsession by some PJ fans? (please keep in mind if you take this the wrong way, none of this is sarcastic or in any way knocking those who wish to or have met him and found it to be a special event).
Honestly, if I saw Ed in public I'd probably turn the other way knowing he probably gets tired of being bothered all the time.
Does anyone have a profound Ed experience that might shed some light on this obsession by some PJ fans? (please keep in mind if you take this the wrong way, none of this is sarcastic or in any way knocking those who wish to or have met him and found it to be a special event).
Gimli 1993
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
Fargo 2003
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St. Paul 2014
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With that said, his art, his words, and his music inspires people, in some cases kept them alive or at least out of some really dark, ugly places. (Same thing The Who, et. all did for Ed, and one of the reasons he is so interested in meeting his musical heroes.)
So I think a lot of people who would enjoy meeting EV would do so cause they want to thank him, and let him know what his art has meant to them.
Not so hard to understand from my POV.
well, I get that, as I am a musician/songwriter myself, who gets inpired by him among others, not to mention being pulled from the depths of hell when I first heard Ten. But I guess my interest in not bothering him and making him uncomfortable supercedes my need to thank him.
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
Jeremy
That is fair enough, but a different question, although you kind of alluded to it in the original post.
So how about.
If you were able to approach EV on the street, would you interrupt to meet him or let him have some peace?
My answer is it depends. If he was with someone, especially family then I would totally leave him alone. If it was in some public setting and he seemed to be approachable then I would approach.
Hard to give an exact answer as there are 100's of scenario's where you might be able to approach, and a 100 more where it would be wrong.
Just to be fair, I am interested in autographs. I'm not interested in approaching people for them, but before I turned 18 I chased 1000's of ball players at Fenway Park. Now as an adult, I don't have any desire to that.
I bought a 2004 World Series ball autographed by Mike, Jeff, and Boom, and when I first bought it, I had visions of getting Ed, Stone, and Matt on it.
So in 2008 I went early to one of EV solo shows. It was not enjoyable waiting for him, (other than hanging with my boys), but would prefer to do that whilst having drinks in an establishment. Eddie came over and said, no autographs, he then shook eveyone's hand and said a few words. I just backed away from the crowd to let some other fans close who were very, very excited.
Suffice to say, I don't think I'll be attempting to get his autograph again?
But who can say how I'll feel in the future?
"Forgive every being,
the bad feelings
it's just me"
If I ever saw him in public, like the previous poster said, it would depend. If he was with his wife and kid(s), I would most likely wait until there would be an approachable moment. Again, I wouldn't want to be a bother, but I also think if anything, he would appreciate a fan going out of their way and risking embarrassment to tell him how great his work is. I would say if the conversation led in the right direction, I would probably ask him if I'd be able to buy him a beer, even though that might be borderline stalkerish. I feel like he'd be the type of person I could have a conversation for hours with, ranging from fucked up upbringings, to politics and the environment, music, and the impact that his presence could bring to any sort of noble cause.
Pearl Jam:
Key Arena - Seattle, WA - Sep 21, 2009
Pacific Coliseum - Vancouver, BC - Sep 25, 2011
Key Arena - Seattle, WA - Dec 6, 2013
Eddie Vedder Solo:
Benaroya Hall - Seattle, WA - Jul 15, 2011
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
I haven't attempted to meet Ed after a show like many have. The you tube videos of those meetings are cool though and maybe.... someday.
Not to sound like a crazy obsessed fan, but my feeling is I already know him so well the need is not so great to meet him face to face. And perhaps somehow he knows just how grateful I am for Pearl Jam.
Hahahahahahaha!
I asked him about the Pete Townshend Les Paul No.5... and if it was actually Pete's. No, he had it made to the exact specifications. So, we talked about that guitar and Pete's fairly recent acoustic show with Ben Harper down the street... and he told me that they had asked him and Neil Young to do one of those shows, but the timing wasn't right. I told him that they needed to get the timing right because that would be incredible.
It was cool... I didn't mind meeting him.
...
The only time I've talked to anyone outside the context of a gig was when I had lunch with Stone at that tree planting thing. We talked about everything other than Pearl Jam. I like Stone... he's always been nice to me.
Hail, Hail!!!
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
Sometimes they really have somewhere to be, they are not blowing you off to be a dick, they have to get to a plane or something. Once I met Giada de Laurentis (she is extremely tiny) and she was on her way to do a live show; she said "I really have to go but if you'll walk with me I'd be glad to talk." Very nice of her to say that, but if she'd just have said "can't talk!" and whisked off I might have thought she was rude.
What they DO mind, a lot, are the people that break in and go nuts all over them. "OMG OMG OMG YOU'RE EDDIE VEDDERRR I LOOOVE YOU OMGOMG" is not something they want to deal with. He says the worst thing they hate when someone butts in to a conversation or a meal and does the freak-out and then just stands there gawking. Like, are they waiting for the star to anoint them or something? Say your piece, chat if the star is open to it and then say your good-byes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFpN8CEMUS8#t=0m32s
that's awesome that he said that just as the door was closing! Classic!
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
I find that just being yourself helps...
I was at Largo in L.A. last night and finally got to meet Neil Young. I said, 'I'd just like to personally thank you for a lifetime of music' and extended my hand. He was so cool... he shook my hand and asked my name and I told him, adding I know you hear that all the time... and he said, 'Not from you, i haven't'. How fricken' cool is that? Then, we talked a little about Pegi's band, who was playing last night and I say good bye and thanx, again.
I don't need autographs and photographs... but, admit, both are pretty cool... the memory of the moment is more than I ever need.
...
Stephen Stills pretty much blew me off.
Hail, Hail!!!