Eddie sings BLACK for $5,000 for noble cause!

luckesean

Last night was the first time I was driven to tears at a concert. I first experienced Eddie's voice at a friends sleep over at the age of 8 in 1992 as TEN played in the background. I didn't know it at first but it was the beginning of my love for my favorite band of all time. I have collected countless bootlegs, shirts, posters, etc., throughout the years but nothing mattered until I was able to them live. Sadly it took me until 2009 to experience my first PJ show because in years prior I simply could not afford tickets. After the Outside Lands show I was lucky enough to see them at the Gibson Ampitheater on night 4 which was 2.5 hours of the most amazing setlist I could ever imagine. Fast forward to last year when I had to miss a wedding to see Eddie at the Wiltern and it got me thinking....Eddies voice is suffering from too much smoking. When listen to recording of A Drop In The Park I can say without a doubt there will never be a better singer/screamer/conveyer of raw emotion...and I wish Eddie would stop smoking for his family, his health, and his voice. Don't get me wrong Eddie in his 60's will still be better than anyone today but there is nothing like Eddie's voice and stagediving like that in the early 90's. Next I was super duper lucky to venture to London for the Olympics this summer and even more lucky to see Eddie perform night 1 at the HMV and man was it special. The London music scene has a higher standard for live performances as well much better security guards than in the the states. No one instance of feedback or distortion, no forgoten lyrics, supereb set list and interaction with the crowd, and the security staff were the most positive and polite people I have ever met. Nothing like in LA where you can get tossed for one accidental flash photo. Now comes the juicy part. The gods of rock shined on me and allowed to me to score tickets to both nights of Eddie at the Pearl in Las Vegas. I have to pause and say Glen Hansard is truly amazing and having followed him since the Frames, my mind was blown when I first learned he and Eddie were going to team up. If I could jam with them and record a song it would be better than winning a mega millions lottery. Sorry for getting off track! Night 1 in Vegas was crazy special. Eddie and Glen covered I Cant' Help Falling In Love With You and Fake Elvis married their friends Simon and Liz for a second time. Oh and not to mention it was Halloween and there was a terrific energy in the air which clearly showed in the show and banter with the crowd. That night I thought to myself I hope Eddie changes up the setlist for the next show. OMG did he ever. I am sitting here typing this on this phone at the airport waiting for my flight and I can't waste anymore time.... I need to get to the epic part. Last night Eddie spoke about EB, a truly horrible medical condition, and he asked us to spare a few bucks if at all possible. What happened next was astonishing. A guy walked up and slapped $100 bill on the stage. A few minutes later more people started doing the same. And then suddenly a woman stood up and got Eddie's attention and said "I will write you a check for $5,000 right now if you sing BLACK." Eddie was caught of guard as the crowd erupted with agonizing anticipation and excitement. Eddie was at a loss for words and looked around in shock but still maintained a devilish smirk. He replied "umm.... I would love to but... I don't know how to play that song." Eddie whispered in one of his crews ears as they brought up the next guitar. The crowd was wide eyed and losing control. Eddie dove into another song, then another song, and then after 5 more songs it finally happened. Eddie called out Boom to play the organ and he comically started off in the wrong key but Eddie tried to make it work anyways. A few lines into it Eddie stopped with a nervous look because this was truly unscripted and unrehearsed. Boom started again this time in the right key and Eddie cautiously began to sing again and it was magical. Goosebumps appeared... watery eyes developed... Hearts opened.... and minds were blown. The song took everyone on a journey through past, present and future. For the first time in my life I felt something that no words can really describe. They crowed harmonized as we poured our souls into the theater. Boom's organ playing brought out a whole new experience out of the song. Then the breakdown at the end of the song started and you could feel Eddie's voice take control of you. As soon as the crowd began to sing " do do do do do do doooo," Eddie slowly moved around the stage and took his rightful spot sitting at the edge of the stage and looked into all of our eyes and belted out " we belong together" several times over. As the spotlight beamed on him, I closed my eyes and thought to myself " I just heared  Eddie in his prime." It was a performance 20 years in the making that the young Eddie could not have touched. It gave purpose to our devotion to Eddie, Pearl Jam, and their music. I hope beyond all wildest dreams that the TenClub will release this recording for the fans and for charity. It will touch the lives of fans and those in need. It would be a true win-win. Thank you for having the patience to read this post. It brought me to tears once again reliving the night in my mind as I shared with you the greatest single moment I have experience in music. Thank you. Love - Sean

iOnlyownMymind

dimitrispearljam

OH MAN...MY HAIR IS UP READING THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!


THAT FUCKIN SONG IS SOMETHING ELSE..ANYWAY,ANYWHERE PLAYED......PERIOD...



PS..IM COPY AND PASTE THIS FOR THE OTHER THREAD..


THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blood Red Mosquito

Epic! Thanks for sharing that story. Your description gave me goosebumps.

YLed2

Tears last night at the show and tears building up right now thinking about that show. It was truly something special. Ed was visibly moved the entire night, he broke down and cried two separate times during the show.

I wish I had more words to describe the feeling in that room, but I don't. It was special. This show needs to be graced with a boot leg.

rhcpjam1029

that's poetry.

JOEJOEJOE

Such an amazing story!

Think how amazing it would be if someone passed-around a hat, starting in the back of the venue at each show, and everyone put in $1...by the time the hat made it to the front row, there would be a hefty pile of dough to donate to the cause!

demetrios

JOEJOEJOE wrote:

Such an amazing story!

Think how amazing it would be if someone passed-around a hat, starting in the back of the venue at each show, and everyone put in $1...by the time the hat made it to the front row, there would be a hefty pile of dough to donate to the cause!

Love the idea!!

It'll be just like going to church service on Sunday's where they pass the collection plate around for donations.

sheri zona

I love this story. Hope something magical happens in PHX on Sunday!!!

snow_board_rider

The story gave me goose bumps and I can hear Ed in my head singing "we belong together" and I did have a tear well up in my eye. Time to spin some black.

TJ25487

Great post OP! I was there both nights as well and you hit the nail on the head. I also want to add, IMO a big contributing factor of why this magical "Black" event occoured: Eddie has had a dramatic change of heart with Las Vegas. It has been no secret that Ed has had a real disdain for LV as he sees it as a land of illreputes and after living here for 20 years can see why as it is a very tranisent town. Well flash forward to " The Pearl at the Palms ". This state of the art concert facility was maticulously designed for optimum sight and sound to deliver the finest intimate concert setting and they nailed it! Eddie commented a couple times how great the sound was and how great everyone was sounding along with him. He also commented on how great the crowd was as both nights were well devoid of the typical drunken hecklers that can distract Ed. You could see from the beginning of night 1 to night 2 that Ed was really warming up to the this new Vegas experience and was opening himself up and becoming more and more emotional. The " Black " event was the ultimate coulmination of this 2 night experiance. Word to the wise: Next time Ed schedules a solo show at this venue, get your ass down here!

clampino

nice one mate, that was a good read.

ellyn27

Thank you so much for sharing. I had the chance to hear it, just beautiful. Very happy for everyone who was there!!

TF101236

Awesome post, Sean. I was lucky enough to have been there as well. My friend and I just keep reliving the moments. It was so amazingly special. A room full of people with hearts wide open with all that we've been through---along with our favorite band---for the last 20+ years just poured right out and surrounded us. Pure magic. Thanks again for posting...you said it so well.

Tawnya

Abe Froman

Nice post!! I would really love to hear this BLACK everyone speaks of...

The Nothingman

rhcpjam1029 wrote:

that's poetry.

Sean, thanks for the amazing story! I could feel all the love in every word you wrote! That show must have been something to remember! Epic!

thanks again for the best post ever!

on the edge...

luckesean wrote:

As the spotlight beamed on him, I closed my eyes and thought to myself " I just heared  Eddie in his prime." It was a performance 20 years in the making that the young Eddie could not have touched.

Great post brotha! You nailed it!
~Tom

rlyn4007

Thanks for sharing such a heartfelt message.....brought tears and 'chicken skin' as EV would say

AndyVanSlyke

http://youtu.be/LPuP92RTleM

Found the recording!! This sounds amazing!! I'm kinda glad it's just the audio because it gives that sense I "mystery"

PeterED

AndyVanSlyke wrote:

http://youtu.be/LPuP92RTleM

Found the recording!! This sounds amazing!! I'm kinda glad it's just the audio because it gives that sense I "mystery"

it's been removed. Man, that didn't take long.

jjflash

luckesean wrote:

Goosebumps appeared... watery eyes developed... Hearts opened.... and minds were blown. It gave purpose to our devotion to Eddie, Pearl Jam, and their music.

Thanks for sharing