Thoughts on Eddie
Seek My Part
Posts: 6
This is the first post that I have made to the message board even though I have been a fan for 17 years. Maybe this is because I have been completely inspired beyond just attending an amazing two nights of Eddie Vedder at the Warner Theater, but I finally got to meet Eddie for the first time and engage in a 20 minute or more conversation with him after the show. (This was after waiting for him for over 15 hours over two days in the back of the Warner Theater)
Anyway, I was completely excited last night and spent all day today trying to take in the experience. Eddie spoke to us about politics, life, humanity, and truth and it was so raw, sincere, and inspiring, yet at the same time so down to earth and normal that it was hard to take in at once. The funny thing is that he only wanted to have a conversation with us, but inadvertently reached us all at a deeper level. I cannot sum up what he talked to us about because the words he said combined together created a bigger experience.
So today I have spent over 5-6 hours looking at many speeches, interviews, and concerts that Eddie has spoken at on You tube to try help synthesize and make meaning with my experience. Through this I have come to some conclusions that I would like to share and hope that others may reflect on.
First, I have realized that I Eddie has evolved so much as a person from his earlier days of being in the spotlight to today, yet at the same time has fundamentally stuck to his core values. He continuously searches for the truth and this is evident in all of the speeches and talks he gives where he references conversations he has with people that show he is still trying to take in new ideas and thoughts and see how it fits into his core values and fundamentals. People ranging from Tim Robbins and Sean Penn to Neil Young, Howard Zihn, and all other people of many vast experiences and knowledge. He never settles for anything as being the final answer even at the moment he may think it is right. He looks to shape his idea of the concept even more. From meeting him and listening to him, he challenged me to do the same in my life. Take for instance all of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame speeches he has given. Go back and listen to the one he gave on the Doors, the Ramones, Neil Young, and finally R.E.M. It is really amazing how he has matured as a person through these times. His Doors speech is very raw, quick, and powerful fittingly to the grunge era he led at the time and by the time he talks about R.E.M. he has learned so much about music, life, humanity, the world, activism, so forth that he gives a beautiful, reflective, raw speech. Yet in both of them you can still see the core values of Eddie and the same person. It is amazing.
Second, we all as fans have evolved with him. Like most of you, I was a wild, teenager that was drawn to the power and emotion of Pearl Jam in the early 90s. We felt like we were going to take over the world. Pearl Jam was power and music to me. Beautiful music with an amazing voice. The lyrics to me that Eddie wrote spoke my life at the time. What I wanted to say, he said. I dreamed of what I would say to him if I even met him. Things like what are the real words to Yellow Ledbetter, where were you sitting when you wrote the lyrics to Black, so forth... I loved him and Pearl Jam for the music. However, 17 years later, I did finally meet Eddie and I didn't ask him any of these questions instead just thanked him for music, but then I said no thank you for yourself and the person you are. What I realized that moment is that I didn't love Eddie only for his music but for the inspiring person he became in his activism, politics, world leadership and a voice of generation. He was so much more than what he was when he first came into the world spotlight, and at the same time I was also so much more than the person I was then. Yet what I saw in him and what I felt in myself was still the same core people that we were then, but only more educated, matured, and wiser. It is truly amazing because for a moment when I was talking to him, I saw both the same person I knew growing up listening to and a different person at the samt time.
Lastly, through all this reflection, I sat today and listened to No Code from beginning to end, and it hit me that this evolution of him is so evident in Pearl Jam's music. When Pearl Jam began to evolve with No Code, I really was lost with this new persona they had. I listened to it, but didn't get it as much. It had a different power to it than Ten, Vs. and Vitalogy. I realize now that Eddie was truly trying to find himself in No Code. Listen to and read the lyrics at the same time of Sometimes, Who You Are, In My Tree, and Present Tense and you'll agree that this is a person who is trying to put together and figure out who he is and is challenging us to do the same. You can almost imagine all of the thoughts and ideas of the conversations he had with many inspiring people and all of the experiences he gained from over the first few years of his fame being jumbled and him trying to piece them together with his own core values and thoughts. Ideas of love, humanity, life, etc... This is all being processed in No Code and somewhat in Yield. Today we are now reaping the benefits of this reflecting time period in his life as he has seemed to found himself and knows who he is. Yet at the same time, he continues to search for the truth and evolve. Through conversations with many fans, and knowing myself, I feel that I made that same evolution.
I know that I have written a lot, but I was inspired to write this from meeting Eddie last night. I am curious to what other fans think about what I wrote. Eddie has become more than a just a rock star and even a musician. He is has so much to offer now, more than just his music and I was able to see it last night when he spoke to us. He could draw a crowd to just listen to him speak for hours and engage in conversation. What a truly wonderful person and I hope to meet him someday in the far future to see how he has evolved.
Anyway, I was completely excited last night and spent all day today trying to take in the experience. Eddie spoke to us about politics, life, humanity, and truth and it was so raw, sincere, and inspiring, yet at the same time so down to earth and normal that it was hard to take in at once. The funny thing is that he only wanted to have a conversation with us, but inadvertently reached us all at a deeper level. I cannot sum up what he talked to us about because the words he said combined together created a bigger experience.
So today I have spent over 5-6 hours looking at many speeches, interviews, and concerts that Eddie has spoken at on You tube to try help synthesize and make meaning with my experience. Through this I have come to some conclusions that I would like to share and hope that others may reflect on.
First, I have realized that I Eddie has evolved so much as a person from his earlier days of being in the spotlight to today, yet at the same time has fundamentally stuck to his core values. He continuously searches for the truth and this is evident in all of the speeches and talks he gives where he references conversations he has with people that show he is still trying to take in new ideas and thoughts and see how it fits into his core values and fundamentals. People ranging from Tim Robbins and Sean Penn to Neil Young, Howard Zihn, and all other people of many vast experiences and knowledge. He never settles for anything as being the final answer even at the moment he may think it is right. He looks to shape his idea of the concept even more. From meeting him and listening to him, he challenged me to do the same in my life. Take for instance all of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame speeches he has given. Go back and listen to the one he gave on the Doors, the Ramones, Neil Young, and finally R.E.M. It is really amazing how he has matured as a person through these times. His Doors speech is very raw, quick, and powerful fittingly to the grunge era he led at the time and by the time he talks about R.E.M. he has learned so much about music, life, humanity, the world, activism, so forth that he gives a beautiful, reflective, raw speech. Yet in both of them you can still see the core values of Eddie and the same person. It is amazing.
Second, we all as fans have evolved with him. Like most of you, I was a wild, teenager that was drawn to the power and emotion of Pearl Jam in the early 90s. We felt like we were going to take over the world. Pearl Jam was power and music to me. Beautiful music with an amazing voice. The lyrics to me that Eddie wrote spoke my life at the time. What I wanted to say, he said. I dreamed of what I would say to him if I even met him. Things like what are the real words to Yellow Ledbetter, where were you sitting when you wrote the lyrics to Black, so forth... I loved him and Pearl Jam for the music. However, 17 years later, I did finally meet Eddie and I didn't ask him any of these questions instead just thanked him for music, but then I said no thank you for yourself and the person you are. What I realized that moment is that I didn't love Eddie only for his music but for the inspiring person he became in his activism, politics, world leadership and a voice of generation. He was so much more than what he was when he first came into the world spotlight, and at the same time I was also so much more than the person I was then. Yet what I saw in him and what I felt in myself was still the same core people that we were then, but only more educated, matured, and wiser. It is truly amazing because for a moment when I was talking to him, I saw both the same person I knew growing up listening to and a different person at the samt time.
Lastly, through all this reflection, I sat today and listened to No Code from beginning to end, and it hit me that this evolution of him is so evident in Pearl Jam's music. When Pearl Jam began to evolve with No Code, I really was lost with this new persona they had. I listened to it, but didn't get it as much. It had a different power to it than Ten, Vs. and Vitalogy. I realize now that Eddie was truly trying to find himself in No Code. Listen to and read the lyrics at the same time of Sometimes, Who You Are, In My Tree, and Present Tense and you'll agree that this is a person who is trying to put together and figure out who he is and is challenging us to do the same. You can almost imagine all of the thoughts and ideas of the conversations he had with many inspiring people and all of the experiences he gained from over the first few years of his fame being jumbled and him trying to piece them together with his own core values and thoughts. Ideas of love, humanity, life, etc... This is all being processed in No Code and somewhat in Yield. Today we are now reaping the benefits of this reflecting time period in his life as he has seemed to found himself and knows who he is. Yet at the same time, he continues to search for the truth and evolve. Through conversations with many fans, and knowing myself, I feel that I made that same evolution.
I know that I have written a lot, but I was inspired to write this from meeting Eddie last night. I am curious to what other fans think about what I wrote. Eddie has become more than a just a rock star and even a musician. He is has so much to offer now, more than just his music and I was able to see it last night when he spoke to us. He could draw a crowd to just listen to him speak for hours and engage in conversation. What a truly wonderful person and I hope to meet him someday in the far future to see how he has evolved.
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Comments
I am glad you found something deeper, and I think a lot of people would be in (okay, 99%) agreement with you. You can't hope for 100% here in the pit.
Nice post.
http://www.youtube.com/user/kcherub#p/a/u/0/N-UQprRqSwo
Won't let the darkness swallow me.
I know many of us females love the way Eddie sounds and of course, the way he looks, but his passion for the right things and his inpiration and activism is what ultimately makes him as attractive as he is. For me, anyway. It's fired up a need in me to want to make the world a better place, and to find truth wherever it may be.
But I give credit also to all the guys in the band; they're all heroes.
I waited for an hour Sat. night, he did he come out?
Sometimes there are silly things here. For example "Dokken is a better band than PJ" and other threads that are a waste of time.
Welcome here, Seek My Part!
It's growing up just like me.
and always remember ''it's no crime to escape!!!"
"won't someone..... save the world"
Funny, ever since the Pearl Jam/Eddie Vedder shows, i have re-opened my eyes to what is important in today's world.
I starting reading the newspaper...not reading the headlines on the net, not watching the news, no....actually reading the black & white newspaper.
I started reading Howard Zinn books, I figure since Ed talks about him so much, he has to be interesting, and it is. His books are insightfull and full of knowledge.
I wrote a letter to Tomas young and read about his story, which only deepens the hatred I have towards this war.
lastly, I have gotten back into my "creative side" and started to pick up drawing again...something I have lost touch with.
A lot of this stems directly from the note that Eddie read from Lindsay at the Boston II show, which she said she will vote for the presidential election instead of voting for american idol, which she listens to vinyl instead of listening to pop music on her ipod, instead of watching reality tv she was writing/playing music, etc...I realized life was getting away from me, and I was too caught up in the corporate/media bullshit that they want us to all be involved with.
So thank you for that post, thank you lindsay for that note that you gave Eddie, and thank you Eddie, for really changing my life for the better!
7/2 & 7/11 2003-Mansfield
9/28 & 9/29 2004-Boston
5/24 & 5/25 2006-Boston-11th & 10th row
6/27 2008-Hartford -Front Row Center!
6/28 & 6/30 2008-Mansfield
08/01 (2nd row) & 08/02/2008 (Eddie Vedder) Boston
skinny little bitch
I was going to put this as my signature, but to many letters.
http://www.myspace.com/lizardkings1
(This Post May Have Been Edited By AT&T)
You know, when you reach your late 30's early 40's you do a lot of soul searching and introspection...and sort of reach some sort of inner peace throught all the turmoil that life throws at you...When I think about all the anger I felt and the injustices done to me, abuse, etc...in my mid-twenties I was stupid...bitter...and now, after much soul searching and allowing myself to open my mind to experience new things and actually understanding how to appreciate all the opportunities this life has to offer...like, profounding appreciating everything that's happened in my life (good or bad)...all of that shaped me into a person that I was able to like...but yeah, had to reach a certain age to be able to process all of it appropriately
And I really think that a lot of (Ed included) have matured and evolved (as the world has changed) and have decided to be proactive not just an activist about causes that we find important to us...None of us are the same person we were at 21, 30...hell, I'm not even sure I'm the same person I was yesterday...Allowing yourself to grow is really about the best gift you can give yourself...
It sounds hokey, but I never really got involved in any causes that previous bands I liked supported (and they weren't very public about that info anyway), but with PJ it's really different. My eyes were opened so many worthy causes - and damn, they made me think about things and ways how I could make a difference in my own community and the global commnunity. I am so appreciative to Pearl Jam for truly making me a better person through their education and example....
It sounds to me like a lot of you on this thread feel the same way, and many of you have been fortunate enough to share your thoughts with Ed and Pearl Jam...Ed, though, seems to throw his soul for all to see and learn from...and that's what people connect with. It sounds a little creepy to say that he is a kindred spirit, but I really think that he is, that we are...all of us..we're all still alive...
I certainly was a 90's teenager fueled by pj
Thanks for the first intriguing post in a while!
Welcome to the pit and keep posting!
28/09/04 - Boston, 20/04/06 - London [\\mm//Astoria\\mm//] - 18/06/07 - Wembley Arena, 11/08/09 - London [\\mm//Shepherds Bush Empire\\mm//],18/08/09 - 02 Arena, 25/06/10 - Hyde Park, 26/06/12 - Amsterdam, 27/06/12 - Amsterdam, 08/07/14 - Leeds,11/07/14 - Milton Keynes, 13/06/18 - Amsterdam, 18/06/18 - London 02 Arena, 17/07/18 - London 02 Arena, 08/08/22 - Hyde Park, 9/08/22 - Hyde Park - 25/08/22 - Amsterdam, 29/07/24 - London {*Tottenham Stadium TBC*}
the only time i put Ed on a pedestal is with the music,other than that he is only human!
a man who yearns for truth and never "closes his eyes" even when he wants to will inevitably reach the same destination as others who live by the same code,only the path differs.
the closeness i feel is way beyond just loving the music.i love a lot of bands but don't share that kindred spirit feeling with them as i do with Ed.I have evolved more in the past 5 years than the previous 15.after 9-11-01 i was thrust down the "rabbit hole" and realized there are two realities in this world and most people live in a false one.
Ed is a Patriot pure and simple and he won't be scared into shutting his mouth and he stands up for his beliefs.he takes the time to educate himself even if he is slightly misguided (Obama) that's why i love him and feel a bond with him.
I wish i could get him alone for 20 minutes,I'm sure as fuck i could take him deeper down that rabbit hole than he has ever been.
someday!
"It's Evolution Baby"
Montreal '00; Toronto '03; Montreal '03; Kitchener '05; London '05; Hamilton '05; Toronto '05; Toronto '06 x2; Boston '06; Toronto '08 x2 (Eddie)
…….just kidding!
I get what crazy breed is saying.
But. The way Ed has grown up, by being so open is why we feel close to him. As a fan we want to identify with something more than a face on a cd cover. Ed has given us that and we love him for it.
there is something there, agreed. now i wish the 1% that don't 'get it' also known as the drunken frat boys that attend ed's and pj's shows would either wise up or give up their 10c memberships.
Montreal/98, Toronto/00'03'05'06x2, Brad Toronto/02, Buffalo/03, Kitchener/05, London/05, Hamilton/05, Late Show Taping/06, Cleveland/06, Pittsburgh/06, Bridge School Benefit Concert/06, Hartford/08, Mansfield 1/08, EV Montreal/08x2, EV Toronto/08x2...
Id would be frightened that he would be screaming at his manager to where all the fuckin green M&M's were in his dressing room and being a total dick to everyone...
I would be shattered if this was all a persona...
www.myspace.com/kosmicjelli
He was just genuine and I took in every word he said. I did not feel preached to as I sometimes feel with someone like Bono. It was a great end to an amazing weekend.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q73/TsarinaLisa/PearljamSue188.jpg