The night I met eddie

pjfan31 wrote:

Here is the story, 7th of November 2006 after the forst Sydney show, the fiorst concert of the Australian tour. After waiting around for a couple of hours and after security told me all the band had left, i hung strong and waited. They soon drove up this big driveway, and there was someone i had admired for so many years stepping out of a van.

Ed walked straight to this guy who was in a wheel chair, this guy had bright coloured hair and spoke through a computer. Ed had met him beofore and started talking to him. Ed was saying how if he comes to another Sydney show he will "look after" him He told ed that he would be attending the Melbourne shows. Ed then said he couldnt do anything for him for the 1st and 2nd show because he was doing something with the family of some the victims from denmark.

He then went to give this guy a number but didnt have any paper. While his security went looking for some I pulled a piece out of my wallet and Ed was so greatful, and i must say i got one of the most sincerest thank you' s ever. There was something about looking ed in the eyes, it is so captivating. He then gave this guy a number and said to call the tour manager he will sort something out. (It was only a few months ago that i found out that Ed dedicated a song to this guy at Melbourne- Off HE Goes)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQGN-GPZaeo (this is a link to his dedication)

We were told we couldn't take any photos or ask for autographs, and he came around to shake all of our hands. I was suprised how short he is and also i have to say how fragile he is, which is totally different from his stage presence. I told him how i have followed Pearl Jam since I was 8, my older sister got me into them and now i am hooked. He said "Thank your sister for me"

He was so nice and he seemed to hang onto every word I had to say, and really listen. I think he likes that, that everyone has a story to tell and everyone is unique. I'm probably wrong, but that is how i perceive him.

He then moved on to the rest of the group and someone asked if they could have a photo. His security said 'No if he does one, he has to do them all" Ed then said "well we could do one big one???"

We all gathered around in a group I made sure i was next to ed (maybe a little selfish, but hey once in a lifetime) and he put his arm around me.

He then left, thanked us all for hanging around, and there he went off into a dark Sydney night, which was lit up not by street lights, but by the smiles of about 20 lucky Pearl jam fans.

The couple whose camera it was said that they would email us the photo, They said it would be a couple of days because they were moving back to New Zealand.

Sadly, I never got that photo, nor my friend who also put his address down. If you are out thetre, I would dearly love that photo, While my memory is still fresh over 1 year on, It would mean the world to Me.