Ed's Long Road speech in San Diego
AndySlash
Posts: 3,262
"Well... I tell ya, we played a uh, we played a show last night and uh... we're a hard woking band, we play a show just about every night, but um... but it was in Las Vegas and, and there was some health issues... It was the worst fucking gig and, I just hated that gig. This is just great. Thanks so much for...
*crowd cheers*
...and the crowd was good last night, but uh... it was just a tough one, so uh, to get your encouragement to come out and, uh, get our uh, get all four wheels back on the road, we appreciate it greatly. Couldn't have done it without you. Or Sonic Youth.
And uh, and I also... you know last night, what I'd like to do is, is tell you a little story if I can. Uh... it might go on for a couple minutes, so if you're comfortable, or uh, go to the restroom, or, just make out with your girl, whatever you want to do... but uh, it'd be great to, to, to talk to you for a second uh, uh about something I went through and share it with you in regards to the music that we're playing uh, and uh, our presence here tonight. But, uh... it has to do with, with uh, with education, and, and in particular an educator. And, um...
Think about your lives, will ya? And uh, and if you have one teacher that really meant something in your life, and it changed your life, raise your hand. Let me see. Keely, let's see the lights.
*THOUSANDS of people in the crowd raise their hands*
So... not that I was expecting that, that's actually a higher percentage than to be expected but, really, if you see that around ya, you think of all the billions of dollars that's spent on other efforts and, and you think that, uh, education should probably be first off to create a better, more intelligent, loving, caring..... especially here in the U.S. where, where we have the opportunity to lead, and uh, and if we can do it with an artistic and intelligent sensibility you could only imagine the way things would be different. And environmentally, uh, thoughtful as well.
So, anyways, I just want to tell you a story about, uh, my experience if I may. And uh, I had, I had *a* teacher, who, uh, who got me through some things and, and taught me so much, and, and uh, a lot of us were touched by him, and uh, and, and it was a heart touch *places his fist on his heart*... it, uh, he's still with us today. And, um, and through a campaign of letter writing and, uh, there was a, uh, a small campaign that, that came together and, and we are getting now, a theater in Encinitas, in North County, named after my teacher.
*crowd cheers*
So there's gonna be a theater in North County, up in Encinitas, called the Clayton E. Ligget Theater. And uh, and some of the money from tonights, uh, tonights, uh, tickets go to that. And we're really proud of it and thank you for participating, and making me proud.
Now, uh, my friend and, uh, and mentor, Clayton, he's, he's no longer with us but he still lives inside of all those that he touched. Uh, and, and I just wanted to, 'cause I, I remember when I got the call that he had, he had passed. And uh, we were actually in the studio with Neil Young. We were recording a record called Mirrorball, and uh... We were in the back room, we were, we were having dinner, I think it was Japanese food. And um, and it was Neil and the guys and we got this phone call and, and as soon as I heard who it was I, I knew what it was. And, uh, after I heard the news, even though it was Neil, and the guys, I, I um, I just had to leave the room. And, and I left the room and I went into the studio, this empty studio and, uh, I picked up a guitar, uh, I think I was looking for someone else to talk to, outside of the conversation, but there was no one, but this guitar. So I, I picked it up and I hit a chord
*hits the first chord of Long Road*
and I
*chord*
I hit the chord again.
*chord*
*chord*
And I think I was trying to, like, ring a bell, right?
*chord*
I was trying to ring a bell, to, to say that, uh
*chord*
*Matt comes in*
we lost one of the good ones.
*chord*
This is an important moment, in history, we *chord* lost one of the good ones.
*chord*
So I kept hittin' the bell.
*chord*
For, like, eight minutes. Ten minutes.
*chord*
Then the other guys, and Neil, they came into the room.
*chord*
Without saying anything or anything.
*chord*
They just picked up their instruments.
*chord*
And started hittin' the bell with me.
*chord*
We were all recognizing
*chord*
We were all ringing a bell.
*chord*
And I went up to the mic and then this song happened, yeah?
*chord*
*chord*
So this night is for Clayton and this song is for Clayton. Thanks for listening.
*chord*
And I wished for so long...
*crowd cheers*
...and the crowd was good last night, but uh... it was just a tough one, so uh, to get your encouragement to come out and, uh, get our uh, get all four wheels back on the road, we appreciate it greatly. Couldn't have done it without you. Or Sonic Youth.
And uh, and I also... you know last night, what I'd like to do is, is tell you a little story if I can. Uh... it might go on for a couple minutes, so if you're comfortable, or uh, go to the restroom, or, just make out with your girl, whatever you want to do... but uh, it'd be great to, to, to talk to you for a second uh, uh about something I went through and share it with you in regards to the music that we're playing uh, and uh, our presence here tonight. But, uh... it has to do with, with uh, with education, and, and in particular an educator. And, um...
Think about your lives, will ya? And uh, and if you have one teacher that really meant something in your life, and it changed your life, raise your hand. Let me see. Keely, let's see the lights.
*THOUSANDS of people in the crowd raise their hands*
So... not that I was expecting that, that's actually a higher percentage than to be expected but, really, if you see that around ya, you think of all the billions of dollars that's spent on other efforts and, and you think that, uh, education should probably be first off to create a better, more intelligent, loving, caring..... especially here in the U.S. where, where we have the opportunity to lead, and uh, and if we can do it with an artistic and intelligent sensibility you could only imagine the way things would be different. And environmentally, uh, thoughtful as well.
So, anyways, I just want to tell you a story about, uh, my experience if I may. And uh, I had, I had *a* teacher, who, uh, who got me through some things and, and taught me so much, and, and uh, a lot of us were touched by him, and uh, and, and it was a heart touch *places his fist on his heart*... it, uh, he's still with us today. And, um, and through a campaign of letter writing and, uh, there was a, uh, a small campaign that, that came together and, and we are getting now, a theater in Encinitas, in North County, named after my teacher.
*crowd cheers*
So there's gonna be a theater in North County, up in Encinitas, called the Clayton E. Ligget Theater. And uh, and some of the money from tonights, uh, tonights, uh, tickets go to that. And we're really proud of it and thank you for participating, and making me proud.
Now, uh, my friend and, uh, and mentor, Clayton, he's, he's no longer with us but he still lives inside of all those that he touched. Uh, and, and I just wanted to, 'cause I, I remember when I got the call that he had, he had passed. And uh, we were actually in the studio with Neil Young. We were recording a record called Mirrorball, and uh... We were in the back room, we were, we were having dinner, I think it was Japanese food. And um, and it was Neil and the guys and we got this phone call and, and as soon as I heard who it was I, I knew what it was. And, uh, after I heard the news, even though it was Neil, and the guys, I, I um, I just had to leave the room. And, and I left the room and I went into the studio, this empty studio and, uh, I picked up a guitar, uh, I think I was looking for someone else to talk to, outside of the conversation, but there was no one, but this guitar. So I, I picked it up and I hit a chord
*hits the first chord of Long Road*
and I
*chord*
I hit the chord again.
*chord*
*chord*
And I think I was trying to, like, ring a bell, right?
*chord*
I was trying to ring a bell, to, to say that, uh
*chord*
*Matt comes in*
we lost one of the good ones.
*chord*
This is an important moment, in history, we *chord* lost one of the good ones.
*chord*
So I kept hittin' the bell.
*chord*
For, like, eight minutes. Ten minutes.
*chord*
Then the other guys, and Neil, they came into the room.
*chord*
Without saying anything or anything.
*chord*
They just picked up their instruments.
*chord*
And started hittin' the bell with me.
*chord*
We were all recognizing
*chord*
We were all ringing a bell.
*chord*
And I went up to the mic and then this song happened, yeah?
*chord*
*chord*
So this night is for Clayton and this song is for Clayton. Thanks for listening.
*chord*
And I wished for so long...
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
This one is particulary mine.
Why you took the time to transcribe this, I don't know, but it was definitely worthy of your efforts, so thank you.
Cheers.
...signed...the token black Pearl Jam fan.
FaceSpace
I really don't either. But I, too, think it was worth it.
But You Might Die Trying
Thanks, Andy. I love it! One of the best shows I've ever attended.
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
I work with kids. Mine are probably too young to remember me when they grow up, but I think at the end of the day all teachers want to make a small difference in the child's life if they can. Especially those kids who are struggling with something, academic or otherwise.
What a touching tribute to a great man in Eddie Vedders life. Kudos to Clayton Liggett.
I will be passing this along to some of my teacher friends who are also Pearl Jam fans
What show was this from? I'd really like to buy the boot
You don't understand...I love the long road. I heard it for the first time by accidend 3 years ago after someone who I know died. When I didn't get it in San Diego as the first song I thought oh well I guess it was just not meant to be. I was dickslapped in the audience when they built up to it in the encore. This is what rock music is made out of. I was a mess by the end of the first encore.
I only had Riot Act and Live at the Garden garden then and San Diego was my first concert!!!! Please please pleeeezzz make this into a DVD!
thank you so much for typing that out!
http://www.wishlistfoundation.org
Oh my, they dropped the leash.
Morgan Freeman/Clint Eastwood 08' for President!
"Make our day"
vision oOnly Greyyy
And understandably it is one of the songs he chose for the Molo Sessions. Nice.
J.M., Jr. High Band Teacher
I raise my Freak Flag High!!
Is this the july7th show? Might have to order it..
---
London, Brixton, 14 July 1993
London, Wembley, 1996
London, Wembley, 18 June 2007
London, O2, 18 August 2009
London, Hammersmith Apollo (Ed solo), 31 July 2012
Milton Keynes Bowl, 11 July 2014
Yes. July 7, San Diego. Long Road is the first song of the first encore.
Prioir to this show, I could take or leave Long Road. For whatever reason, I just didn't get into it all that much. Being at this show radically changed my opinion of this song. Just KNOWING the meaning behind the song, having BEEN there when Ed was telling the story, seeing the emotion not only in the band, but in the faces of the audience is something that I will always think of whenever I hear Long Road. Such an amazing experience to have been a part of... I really wish all of you could have been in that arena.
xo
Peace Love & Pearl Jam forever!!
Such a beautiful story and personal too. Yes, another reason to love the band and this beautiful song
I need to hear this boot now
Thank you for transcribing and sharing.
Sammi: Wanna just break up?
San Francisco - July 15/16/18, 2006 Bridgeschool - October 21/22, 2006
Lollapalooza - August 5,2007
EV Berkley - April 7/8, 2008 The Who Rock Honors - July 12, 2008
Outside Lands - August 28, 2009 Seattle - September 21/22, 2009 San Diego - October 9, 2009
almost to tears
it's trully great
and such a hauntingly beautiful song... has been playing in my mind lately, quite a bit
It's nice to see where it's coming from..
i tried looking on youtube but no luck............somebody please post it
From the east coast but happen to be at this show and have a video of this speach and song but its too big to post on youtube. Any tech guru's out there that know how to compress this or send it let me know and I'll get it out to anyone. But....
Amazing moment, but the funny thing is Ed screwed up the lyrics. I was sitting directly behind the stage, in the section right above Matt. Instead of singing "and the winds are blowing and the sky is turning grey" Ed actually skips a head by accident and starts with "And the sun is setting".....he mumbles, actually looked back at Stone and starts to laugh.... he then does some improve to finish off the line like "and I know you're with me and I know you're here today"
Even with the screw up he finishes strong and the song is just amazing. I always hope for a long road opener and was blown away when I heard those cords during Ed's speach! Totally unexpected! Awesome show!
Listening to other versions of "Long Road" (and I've hardly heard them all), that one line remains exclusive and quite fitting for this performance.
Good for him for screwing up so well!
...signed...the token black Pearl Jam fan.
FaceSpace
what format is the video in? you can upload it to megaupload.com and someone can encode it, or go over to http://www.videohelp.com and look around. there are a bunch of free video encoders there.
i'd love to see this clip!