The Weight of the World is NOT on Eddie Vedder

jbandlisa
jbandlisa Posts: 37
in The Porch
I know I'm likely preaching to the choir here, but after reading this article in the Washington Post, and digesting some of the Twitter posts cited therein, I'm left wondering to myself: What responsibility does Eddie Vedder have to carry the "the weight of grunge’s legacy" on his shoulders? What the hell are we even talking about?  

While this era of musical success and popularity gets lumped together as this singular movement called Grunge (God, I hate that word), each band carved their own unique path, created their own unique voice and sound. This vague idea of being a torch bearer for the Grunge Movement is nauseating. Are people expecting Pearl Jam to bust out a Soundgarden set? Play the era's greatest hits like Sinatra singing Dean Martin classics?  

Each body of work stands alone. Don't even attempt to put the weight of the success (or failure), the legacy of 90's alternative rock on the shoulders of Eddie Vedder. It's a disservice to him, his peers, and every other band of this generation. 

End Rant.
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Comments

  • jbandlisa
    jbandlisa Posts: 37
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/05/19/after-chris-cornells-death-only-eddie-vedder-is-left-let-that-sink-in/?utm_term=.15e414337182
    Sorry. Link to referenced article. I'm sure most have seen it already. 
    KC 98 00 03 10
    Council Bluffs 03
    PJ20 (1 & 2)
    Wrigley 13, 16 (1 & 2), 18 (1 & 2)
    OKC 13
    Lincoln 14
    Moline 14
    St. Paul 14
  • kramer73
    kramer73 Posts: 2,636
    see also:  Opinion. 

    This is an opinion, there are and will be many.  
  • 2-feign-reluctance
    2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,462
    kramer73 said:
    see also:  Opinion. 

    This is an opinion, there are and will be many.  
     
    And OP is sharing theirs. Plenty of space for all. Yes, room for everyone.
    www.cluthelee.com
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,795
    jbandlisa said:
    I know I'm likely preaching to the choir here, but after reading this article in the Washington Post, and digesting some of the Twitter posts cited therein, I'm left wondering to myself: What responsibility does Eddie Vedder have to carry the "the weight of grunge’s legacy" on his shoulders? What the hell are we even talking about?  

    While this era of musical success and popularity gets lumped together as this singular movement called Grunge (God, I hate that word), each band carved their own unique path, created their own unique voice and sound. This vague idea of being a torch bearer for the Grunge Movement is nauseating. Are people expecting Pearl Jam to bust out a Soundgarden set? Play the era's greatest hits like Sinatra singing Dean Martin classics?  

    Each body of work stands alone. Don't even attempt to put the weight of the success (or failure), the legacy of 90's alternative rock on the shoulders of Eddie Vedder. It's a disservice to him, his peers, and every other band of this generation. 

    End Rant.
    Yeah, totally agree and well said, jbandlisa.  The continuum of great rock does not die with one man- great though that man's work was without a doubt- or rest on only one other man or woman's shoulders. There are still many great musicians from the "grunge" era (never was a fan of that term either but will use it for the sake of clarity) as well as from earlier periods and the contemporary who are still out there doing it.  True, too many of the greats of 90's alternative have been lost, but the same is true all over and putting the load all on one guy is unfair, unrealistic and very near sighted (not to mention sensationalist).

    Long live rock!

    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • nostackedvinyl
    nostackedvinyl Maine Posts: 859
    I was thinking about this very thing yesterday and it seems that Eddie (through no wanting our fault of his own) is being reverted back to what he was when the whole "grunge" thing started.  The face of it all.  The symbol for it.  The appointed one.  And the frenzy could be even worse now that the rest of them have passed away.

    Something tells me he'd like being that person even less now than he did in the 90's
    it's a fragile thing, this life we lead.

    05/24/06, 06/28/08, 06/30/08, 05/17/10, 09/07/11, 09/11/11, 09/12/11, 09/14/11, 09/15/11, 10/15/13, 10/16/13, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 10/25/13, 10/27/13, 05/05/16, 05/08/16, 08/07/16, 09/02/18, 9/15/24, 09/17/24

    ev: 06/15/11
  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Winnipeg Posts: 40,080
    there's always so much emphasis put on the "big four", which is really quite stupid, based on nothing but geography. none of them sound alike. it is the lesser-known bands from that are that I would sound alike. I consider the term "grunge" to be more a period of time and geography rather than a sound. 

    I doubt Ed is reading any of this shit, not even on his radar. 
    Your boos mean nothing to me, for I have seen what makes you cheer



  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    there's always so much emphasis put on the "big four", which is really quite stupid, based on nothing but geography. none of them sound alike. it is the lesser-known bands from that are that I would sound alike. I consider the term "grunge" to be more a period of time and geography rather than a sound. 

    I doubt Ed is reading any of this shit, not even on his radar. 
    I disagree, there are surely some similarities in their music and how they approach songwriting and performing.

    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Winnipeg Posts: 40,080
    rgambs said:
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    there's always so much emphasis put on the "big four", which is really quite stupid, based on nothing but geography. none of them sound alike. it is the lesser-known bands from that are that I would sound alike. I consider the term "grunge" to be more a period of time and geography rather than a sound. 

    I doubt Ed is reading any of this shit, not even on his radar. 
    I disagree, there are surely some similarities in their music and how they approach songwriting and performing.

    I don't think PJ/Nirvana/SG/AIC sound anything like each other. At all. SG and AIC are the closest of the four, given their metal influences, except for vocals. But that's a stretch in itself IMO. 
    Your boos mean nothing to me, for I have seen what makes you cheer



  • ceska
    ceska New York Posts: 1,139
    HughFreakingDillon said:

    I doubt Ed is reading any of this shit, not even on his radar. 
    Exactly. Right now all of PJ & SG are mourning the loss of their brother and trying to figure how they can help his family, and trying to figure out how to carry on without someone who has been integral to their careers and lives. Carrying the "flag" of grunge is not on their minds, nor should it be, nor should anyone expect it to be.

    I guess these kinds are articles are typical at momentous times like this, when people are trying to make sense of something incomprehsenible, and maybe trying to pay tribute and having it come across improperly. But I hope this kind of talk about Ed "being the last man left" goes away pretty quickly and people don't feel the need to keep bringing it up every time PJ/EV go on tour.
  • hrd2imgn
    hrd2imgn Southwest Burbs of Chicago Posts: 4,935
    well, seeing as PJ was never really grunge, he has zero responsibility.  However, he is last man standing on the great frontmen of the era from Seattle, and I think that will weigh on him a little.
  • drakeheuer14
    drakeheuer14 Posts: 4,627
    hrd2imgn said:
    well, seeing as PJ was never really grunge, he has zero responsibility.  However, he is last man standing on the great frontmen of the era from Seattle, and I think that will weigh on him a little.
    Off topic sorry, but every major fan of each of the five major bands from that era always says their favorite isn't grunge... are people just against that term? 
    Pittsburgh 2013
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    Columbia 2016
  • PJfanwillneverleave1
    PJfanwillneverleave1 Posts: 12,885
    edited May 2017
    These opinions making headlines are all fake news.
    These people make me sick that capitalize on death.
    Fuck this shit about Eddie Vedder last of the grunge, protect him and last one standing.
    What a bullshit stage to hold him on.
    Get over it folks, we lost a great one but EV and Pearl Jam is not responsible to carry your grief.


  • 3days
    3days Posts: 1,200
    To suggest that EV, Chris, Layne, and Kurt are all bound by some sort of legacy is ridiculous. To suggest that EV has a responsibility to a "grunge" legacy is ridiculous. To suggest that EV should feel some sort of weight based on maintaining this phantom legacy is absolutely ridiculous. While we're at it, to suggest that the band needs to react publically is absolutely, positively ridiculous. 

    A family member, friend, and peer of Pearl Jam has died. Pearl Jam's only responsibility is to treat his passing as they think they should. No reason to assign legacies or weights or responses. 

    I was really offended to hear about these tasteless social media posts.
  • thispureamericanriot
    thispureamericanriot California Posts: 514
    Many people loved Chris and are heartbroken right now. I saw Chris and Eddie as brothers since I first heard Hunger Strike. Seems to me people brought this whole "last man standing" thing up to try and cope. 

    It's hard for everyone right now. Chris was a genius and seemed like a very kind man. Seattle has had so much success and so much tragedy with losing Kurt, Layne and now unfathomably Chris too. 

    Tonight, I'm going hungry...
    ZF0 on SoundCloud

  • hrd2imgn
    hrd2imgn Southwest Burbs of Chicago Posts: 4,935
    drakeheuer14 said:
    hrd2imgn said:
    well, seeing as PJ was never really grunge, he has zero responsibility.  However, he is last man standing on the great frontmen of the era from Seattle, and I think that will weigh on him a little.
    Off topic sorry, but every major fan of each of the five major bands from that era always says their favorite isn't grunge... are people just against that term? 
    I think it was more of a  don't label us retaliation by all of us.  The whole idea of the Seattle movement was in some ways a counter culture to the horrible ending of the hair metal movement.  So having some assholes in Rolling Stone/Mtv and other rags call it Grunge was sort of a call to revolt even more by throwing that term out, their 200 flannel shirts, and their pre-ripped jeans.
  • OceansJenny
    OceansJenny Manhattan, NY Posts: 3,411
    HughFreakingDillon

    I doubt Ed is reading any of this shit, not even on his radar. 
    Bingo. 
    DC '03 - Reading '04 - Philly '05 - Camden 1 '06 - DC '06 - E. Rutherford '06 - The Vic '07 - Lollapalooza '07 - DC '08 - EV DC 1 & 2 '08 (Met Ed!!) - EV Baltimore 1 & 2 '09 - EV NYC 1 '11 (Met Ed!) - Hartford '13 - GCF '15 - MSG 2 '16 - TOTD MSG '16 - Boston 1 & 2 '18 - SHN '21 - EV NYC 1 & 2 '22 - MSG '22
  • hedonist
    hedonist Posts: 24,524
    OceansJenny said:
    HughFreakingDillon

    I doubt Ed is reading any of this shit, not even on his radar. 
    Bingo. 
    Yup.  Or, even if he has seen some of it...well, my mind goes to Corduroy.  Quite apt.

    "Can't let you roam inside my head."

    (among the other lyrics in that song)

    Leave the man alone, for fuck's sake!
  • Lost In Ohio
    Lost In Ohio Posts: 7,279
    PJfanwillneverleave1 said:
    These opinions making headlines are all fake news.
    These people make me sick that capitalize on death.
    Fuck this shit about Eddie Vedder last of the grunge, protect him and last one standing.
    What a bullshit stage to hold him on.
    Get over it folks, we lost a great one but EV and Pearl Jam is not responsible to carry your grief.




    An opinion piece isn't news, real or fake. Sites like "The Onion" have fake news.

    Sorry, but things like "I don't agree! Fake news!c make me mental.
    Presidential Advice from President-Elect Mike McCready: "Are you getting something out of this all encompassing trip?"
  • thispureamericanriot
    thispureamericanriot California Posts: 514
    I think PJ already said what their gonna say with this.
    https://pearljam.com/news/chris
    ZF0 on SoundCloud

  • danny
    danny Posts: 2,283
    no it doesnt
    danny d

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