Technically the 1st Pearl Jam fan

Tonybalsamo
Tonybalsamo Montlake, Seattle, WA Posts: 20
edited January 2024 in Other Music
Hello. My mom owned a restaurant in San Diego called Sicilia Restaurant near the San Diego State University area.

I was 13 years old at the time. A few doors down from our restaurant was a record shop called “Off The Wall” which I frequented often.

One day in the early Summer if 1991, I went to off the wall and the worker there was telling me about this band called “Pearl Jam” and they would be eating at my moms restaurant that night for the release of their new album… he gave me a circular poster of their album ‘ten’ and he said, get this signed, this band is going to be huge.

that evening, they in fact came to my moms restaurant and sat at table B2. 
I shyly approached the table and asked if I could have their autograph. Little did I know at the time, but Eddie Vedder said loudly “our first official fan”. Not only did they sign the poster, but they also signed a CD for me. In a kind gesture, I asked my mom if we could cover their drinks on their bills which she approved…

As they were leaving, Eddie asked who was my favorite band at the time which I said Alice In Chains… several weeks later I received this care package from Eddie with several items from Alice In Chains (special shirts, cd’s, etc). I was so amazed by this gesture, even at 13 did not know what to make of it and of course, crazily excited. he recognized our kind gesture and was Thoughtful to repay the gesture… gone are these acts of generosity and kindness. 

A few months go by and Eddie shows up with his brothers to eat -as he was playing a show that weekend down the street at a place called Winters. They sat at table C4. In return for the very kind care package, I asked my mom if we could comp their dinner, which she approved. 

In 1993 we sold the restaurant. The new owners contacted me saying someone stopped by and wrote me a letter on the back of a paper place mat. Of course, it was Eddie. I had no way to connect as I did not have his contact details. The restaurant was sold again to a new owner. He stopped by once more to visit and left me another letter with cosmic and inspirational worlds. I still have both letters.

just a crazy special experience in life with a truly talented group, and a very thoughtful and generous being. 

Thoughts? 
Post edited by Tonybalsamo on
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Comments

  • BrainofBGA
    BrainofBGA Australia Posts: 4,558
    That is one of the best Pearl Jam stories / memories I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Thanks for sharing! 
    Melbourne #1 '98
    Melbourne #2 '03
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    Melbourne #3 '06
    Melbourne '09
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  • fl247556
    fl247556 Posts: 328
    moments that mark you and inspire you for life
    freddie vedder
  • lastexitlondon
    lastexitlondon Posts: 14,915
    Show us the letters . I would love to see them . Beautiful 


    this song is meant to be called i got shit,itshould be called i got shit tickets-hartford 06 -
  • F Me In The Brain
    F Me In The Brain this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 31,822
    That is very cool.  Amazing memories and a unique connection. 
    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • LizJ
    LizJ Posts: 363
    Thank you for sharing this unique and beautiful experience! 
  • JPPJ84
    JPPJ84 Hamburg, Germany Posts: 3,464
    wonderful story!
  • Loujoe
    Loujoe Posts: 11,758
    Wow. Very cool of Eddie to follow up for sure. great you had the guts to go talk to them. Everything seemed to line up perfectly. That happens once in a while to good people. Thanks for sharing!!!!
  • darwinstheory
    darwinstheory LaPorte, IN Posts: 7,375
    @Tonybalsamo - if you could, please add the story to this thread. More people would see it there.

    https://community.pearljam.com/discussion/287880/memories-meetings-memorabilia-and-the-story-and-pictures-behind-them#latest
    "A smart monkey doesn't monkey around with another monkey's monkey" - Darwin's Theory
  • Gern Blansten
    Gern Blansten Mar-A-Lago Posts: 22,250
    Great stuff...yeah if you could post those letters that would be awesome. I assume you still have the autographed items?
    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)
    The Golden Age is 2 months away. And guess what….. you’re gonna love it! (teskeinc 11.19.24)

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  • Hobbes
    Hobbes Pacific Northwest Posts: 6,438
    Great story. Thanks for sharing.
  • ZoSoTim
    ZoSoTim Posts: 1,290
    Incredible story. Thanks for sharing. 
    Dallas, TX (November 15, 2013)
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  • mfc2006
    mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,491
    That is absolutely awesome! So happy you had that experience!
    I LOVE MUSIC.
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  • lexicondevil
    lexicondevil Posts: 2,249
    Very cool story.
    1991- Hollywood Palladium, California with Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains -RIP Magazine Show Oct. 6th
    1992- Lollapalooza, Irvine, California
    Nothing since then. I suck.
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  • Tonybalsamo
    Tonybalsamo Montlake, Seattle, WA Posts: 20
    Thank you everyone, I appreciate your kind acknowledgments. I’m hesitant to post the letters, as they are meaningful and personal, but I don’t think there is anything that is private… I’ll think about it. Besides, they are only copies and in some box in my basement, so I’ll have to search for them.

    as for all of the memorabilia I had, they were locked in a filing cabinet that was stolen when I was living in my brothers house in San Diego was burglarized in 2007… at least I made copies of the letters…
  • iOnlyownMymind
    iOnlyownMymind Posts: 2,955
    Wow, amazing story.  These are so great to hear and ones from the very early days don't pop up very often.  
  • tempo_n_groove
    tempo_n_groove Posts: 41,471
    Tonybalsamo said:
    Thank you everyone, I appreciate your kind acknowledgments. I’m hesitant to post the letters, as they are meaningful and personal, but I don’t think there is anything that is private… I’ll think about it. Besides, they are only copies and in some box in my basement, so I’ll have to search for them.

    as for all of the memorabilia I had, they were locked in a filing cabinet that was stolen when I was living in my brothers house in San Diego was burglarized in 2007… at least I made copies of the letters…
    What an odd thing to steal...
  • Tonybalsamo
    Tonybalsamo Montlake, Seattle, WA Posts: 20
    tempo_n_groove said:
    Tonybalsamo said:
    Thank you everyone, I appreciate your kind acknowledgments. I’m hesitant to post the letters, as they are meaningful and personal, but I don’t think there is anything that is private… I’ll think about it. Besides, they are only copies and in some box in my basement, so I’ll have to search for them.

    as for all of the memorabilia I had, they were locked in a filing cabinet that was stolen when I was living in my brothers house in San Diego was burglarized in 2007… at least I made copies of the letters…
    What an odd thing to steal...
    They stole a lot more than just the filing cabinet… 
  • jjflash
    jjflash Posts: 5,031
    Amazing story. Thanks for sharing. You may wanna consider posting it on 'The Porch' forum as more people, many whom would enjoy reading your story, will see it there :sunglasses:
  • Tonybalsamo
    Tonybalsamo Montlake, Seattle, WA Posts: 20

  • GB281198
    GB281198 Virginia Posts: 631
    That's really awesome! It's a shame you lost the stuff he gave you but what an amazing experience.

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