This is for Eddie!

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15  Eddie Vedder

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When you think of the Pearl Jam frontman beyond his iconic baritone, the thing that everything Vedder comes back to is authenticity. Unlike the era that preceded Pearl Jam, everything Vedder stood for (and stands for) was worn on his heart sleeve and quite literally. Name another artist who, in 1992, would scribble "Pro-Choice" on his arm on a national television program? (And write about it for this publication?) Or another who would pay tribute to a fallen friend during one of the darkest Saturday Night Live performances in the show’s history? Vedder spawned many, many, MANY imitators who sought to ride the wave of his booming voice to a life of alt-rock stardom. Yet, they all failed miserably. He’s the rock star your cool older brother loves…and the one who has no issue weaving in and out of appearances with dynamos like Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and Roger Waters to then guesting with Liz Phair, The Strokes and Beyoncé. There’s only one person who commands the respect of that: Eddie Vedder. The world is a better place because of that.   DK

Source: The 100 Greatest Rock Stars Since That Was A Thing (2021)