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Die-hard Pearl Jam Fan Murdered

RB165331RB165331 Posts: 6
edited September 2016 in The Porch
Richard Hong, a die-hard Pearl Jam fan, was murdered during an alleged robbery on Friday.

I didn’t know him well, but I did have the privilege of attending a Pearl Jam show with him in Los Angeles in 2009, at the Gibson Amphitheater, during the band’s four-night stand. Rich was absolutely impossible not to like: friendly, charismatic and free-spirited. A few things that stand out in my memory about him:

1) My girlfriend's sister introduced me to him at a party after the first show and told him I was a huge Pearl Jam fan. In the most good-natured way, he immediately started to grill me on my knowledge of the band and how many shows I had been to. I quickly realized that as big a fan as I was, Rich was a fan on a whole other level who had the most deep and extensive knowledge of the band. More so than anyone I'd ever met.

2) Luckily, Pearl Jam was performing again the next night. And not wanting to miss the chance to see a show with the band's biggest fan, I went with Rich. We didn't have tickets. We stood in a long line. I remember complaining about it. And at one point, he kinda just stopped me, looked me in the eyes and said "Hey man, this is part of the journey. Enjoy it." I immediately realized the error of my ways and shut my mouth.

3) Rich once met Eddie outside of a show (in Canada I believe). They had a cigarette together and Rich told him he didn’t have tickets for the next show. Ed pulled out his marble composition book, wrote Rich’s name down and told him to go to will call at the show. Almost needless to say, Rich went to the show and thanks to Ed sat as close to the stage as he ever had in his life. He loved to tell this story and the way he told it, I could tell he was incredibly grateful for the experience.

4) Rich’s favorite song was Light Years. So much so that he played it at his dad’s funeral as a tribute.

Your light's reflected now, reflected from afar / We were but stones, your light made us stars

R.I.P. Rich
Post edited by RB165331 on
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Comments

  • pjalive21pjalive21 Posts: 2,818
    sorry to hear about this loss....too many of these lately...thought and prayers are with you and his family R.I.P. Rich
  • JimminezJimminez Posts: 217
    Saw this on the news yesterday as he was staying in a home rented by George Stroumboulopoulos. RIP.
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  • a5pja5pj Posts: 3,882
    wow, sucks
    Wouldn't it be funny if the world ended in 2010, with lots of fire?



  • RS65573RS65573 Posts: 2,467
    Thats a great story about Ed putting him on the list. Very sorry for your loss.

    I always wonder when I see these posts if ive met them before. Ive been to so many shows, met so many people whose names I dont know.

    Just last tour at MSG we were at lunch and met a fellow PJ fan and his son. We chatted for over an hour. When we went to leave, they had paid our bill, we didnt even know it. We have many good PJ fans out there, im very sorry to hear we have 1 less.
  • Ray J. T.Ray J. T. Posts: 4,023
    Very sad news to hear that we lose a fellow fan. My prayers go out to his family. Thank you to the OP for sharing a really great story.
  • mfc2006mfc2006 Posts: 37,412
    Rest In Peace.
    I LOVE MUSIC.
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  • RS151862RS151862 Posts: 2,640
    R.I.P. Rich
    Pittsburgh 1998 • Pittsburgh 2006 • 2012 Isle Of Wight Festival • 2012 Made In America Festival • Baltimore 2013 • Seattle 2013
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  • HesCalledDyerHesCalledDyer Posts: 16,430
    I will go home tonight and spin Binaural in honor of Rich. My sympathy goes out to his family & friends!
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  • 2-feign-reluctance2-feign-reluctance Posts: 23,243
    RIP
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  • dimitrispearljamdimitrispearljam Posts: 139,549
    RIP..so sad
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  • hsohihsohi Posts: 1,033
    Sorry for your loss
    London Ontario 2013, Buffalo New York 2013, Lincoln Nebraska 2014, Quebec City 2016
  • SuziemaySuziemay Posts: 11,168
    That's horrible. Very nice tribute that you wrote. RIP Rich.
  • EM194007EM194007 Posts: 2,827
    R.I.P Rich!!
  • ledveddermanledvedderman Posts: 7,761
    Damn. That's terrible. RIP
    E8toX.gif

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  • KevinmanKevinman Posts: 1,909
    RIP Rich
    I am lost, I'm no guide, but I'm by your side

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  • ehbaconehbacon Posts: 1,971
    RIP, lovely tribute
    Listen to some of my music here (if you want to): [url="My soundcloud"]
  • hrd2imgnhrd2imgn Posts: 4,895
    Prayers for all his family and loves ones
  • SJD3232SJD3232 Posts: 2,203
    RIP Rich.
  • BCBABCBA Posts: 220
    Very tragic. Sounds like a great guy.
  • SD48277SD48277 Posts: 12,243
    Very sad. A lovely tribute, OP. Sincerest sympathies to his family and friends.
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  • NamiNami Posts: 5,995
    RIP Rich.
    Hamilton 9-13-05; Toronto 5-9-06, Toronto 8-21-09, Toronto 9-12-11, Hamilton 9-15-11....
  • mtnbkermtnbker Posts: 6
    Very nice tribute. R.I.P. Rich.
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  • shetellsherselfshetellsherself Posts: 8,818
    So sad. Peace to Rich and his loved ones. It's so important to love and live big while you can.
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  • HughFreakingDillonHughFreakingDillon Posts: 36,611
    Jimminez said:

    Saw this on the news yesterday as he was staying in a home rented by George Stroumboulopoulos. RIP.

    this is the same story? jesus. good friend of strombo apparently.
    new album "Cigarettes" out Fall 2024!

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  • lexicondevillexicondevil Posts: 2,011
    RB165331 said:

    Richard Hong, a die-hard Pearl Jam fan, was murdered during a robbery on Friday.

    I didn’t know him well, but I did have the privilege of attending a Pearl Jam show with him in Los Angeles in 2009, at the Gibson Amphitheater, during the band’s 4-night stand. Rich was absolutely impossible not to like: friendly, charismatic and free-spirited. A few things that stand out in my memory about him:

    1) My girlfriend's sister introduced me to him after the first show and told him I was a huge Pearl Jam fan. In the most good-natured way, he immediately started to grill me on my knowledge of the band and how many shows I had been to. I quickly realized that as big a fan as I was, Rich was a fan on a whole other level who had the most deep and extensive knowledge of the band. More so than anyone I'd ever met.

    2) Luckily, Pearl Jam was performing again the next night. And not wanting to miss the chance to see a show with the band's biggest fan, I went with Rich. We didn't have tickets. We stood in a long line. I remember complaining about it. And at one point, he looked me in the eyes and said "Hey man, this is part of the journey. Enjoy it." I immediately realized the error of my ways and shut my mouth.

    3) Rich once met Eddie outside of a show (in Canada I believe). They had a cigarette together and Rich told him he didn’t have tickets for the next show. Ed pulled out his marble composition book, wrote Rich’s name down and told him to go to will call at the show. Almost needless to say, Rich went to the show and sat as close to the stage as he ever had in his life. He loved to tell this story and, the way he told it, I could tell he was incredibly grateful for the experience.

    4) Rich’s favorite song was Light Years. He played it at his dad’s funeral as a tribute.

    Your light's reflected now, reflected from afar / We were but stones, your light made us stars

    R.I.P. Rich


    Now, I feel like a knew him. Thank you for the story and sorry for your loss.
    1991- Hollywood Palladium, California with Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains -RIP Magazine Show Oct. 6th
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  • RB165331RB165331 Posts: 6
    Thank you all. Rich LOVED his extended Pearl Jam family and would be touched.
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,896
    edited September 2016
    This is so sad - what a tragedy. Sorry for your loss.
    So touching to read your good memories of him.
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
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  • bgirl59bgirl59 Posts: 888
    Thank you for sharing your story - I feel like I know your friend now too. RIP, Rich, you'll have the best seats in the house forever, enjoy!
    PEARL JAM in 2024! Dark Matter and MORE ! THANK YOU!!   
    Peace Love & Pearl Jam forever!!
  • RiverrunnerRiverrunner Posts: 2,419
    So sad and tragic.
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  • wall232wall232 Posts: 1,346
    Very sad. Thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
    NYPJ
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