Rich is a great fan. Was on the rail next to him in Ottawa 2022. Had a blast. He brought a lot of energy!
Hope you get Release!
I will add that one of the best experiences I’ve ever had as a PJ fan was rocking out next to Rich on the rail right in front of Stone (his favorite) on St. Paul N2 in ‘23. I met him on the GA line before the show and he regaled me for hours with incredible stories from his years of traveling around following PJ. Rich has a great energy about him that he projects onto those around him, and he brings it every show. After having been fortunate enough to spend a lot of time getting to know Rich over the past few tours, I can say with the utmost certainty he’s not only one of the best, most interesting PJ fans I’ve met in my years following the band, but also one of the best all-around humans I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.
Rich is one of my nearest and dearest friends who I have met through this band back in 2003. It is so nice to read all the wonderful things written about him on this thread. I am so fortunate to call him a friend. I was with Rich on the rail 4/29/16. The impact of that moment, Ed’s words before the song, the date, all of it was so profound.
This is a wonderful sentiment and idea and I hope it happens for Rich. Although if you know Rich, you also know that he is not one to make a sign or draw the attention to himself. His 100th show in 2004 was the showbox. Rich made a post it sized sign that simply said “weed for Whipping” He made the sign on the hotel pad while waiting on a GA line. No mention of what number show it was for him, just a tiny request for one of his favorites. Ed did see it and laughed, but we did not get the song! lol. Rich is there to rock out every show like it could be his last. All while looking out for those around him in the pit. He doesn’t need or want the recognition. Just play him the song that has been so critical in helping him get through the great loss of his father and brother. Like Ed said on that fine evening in April. “
This song is about losing a Pop. This song is one of those healing songs. It’s not going to lessen the blow of any kind of tragedy. Sometimes it just helps get through, because you can’t get around it, you don’t get over it, you don’t get under it, you got to get through it.”
If you are reading this RTW, sending you a giant (((((((hug))))))
This was such a wonderful read! Both the firsthand experiences and your spot on description of him. He truly is a terrific person and it really is all about the music.
The "weed for Whipping" sign/note came out of retirement at the 2nd Earthlings Benaroya show on 2/22/22. He told me the story about it and decided on a whim to remake it since we were going to be so close. During Porch, Ed came over, handed us picks, and took the paper and put it in his pocket. When they came out for the encore, he pulled it out of his pocket and said something about the sign (and that he'd prefer another drug instead). Josh (I think) proceeded to play a couple of the chords, they all kind of looked at each other like they might try to figure it out, then some girl screamed "its my birthday" from the balcony and Ed got distracted (at least this is my recollection of this, I haven't come across a recording of these shows).
I support this request. Don’t know Rich but do know a few people who have written about him here. I’m in!
PJ: 2013: London (ON); Buffalo; 2014: Cincinnati; 2016: Sunrise, Miami, Toronto 1-2, Wrigley 2; 2018: London (UK) 1, Milan, Padova, Sea 2, Wrigley 1-2, Fenway 1-2; 2021: SHN, Ohana, Ohana Encore 1-2; 2022: LA 1-2, Phx, Oak 1-2, Fresno, Copenhagen, Hyde Park 1-2; Quebec, Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto; MSG, Camden, Nashville, Louisville, St. Louis, OKC; 2023: St. Paul 1-2, Chicago 1-2; Fort Worth 2; Austin 1-2; 2024: Vancouver 1-2, LV 1-2, LA 1-2, Napa, Barcelona 1-2
EV Solo: 2017 Louisville and Franklin, 2018 Ohana, 2019 Innings Fest, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Dublin and Ohana; 2021 Ohana Friday (from beach) and Saturday; 2022 Earthlings Newark; 2023 Innings Fest and Benoraya 1-2.
Gutted: London 2 2018, Sacramento 2022, Noblesville 2023
We all were on ga line in Seattle and a local crack user singled him out and tried to start stuff. Didn't end well for the unfortunate addict. Park security intervened, a little too strongly imo, but anyway. Dude got hauled off. Remember seeing Mike handing him a setlist in Philly once.
A man living the PJ fans dream. Sure he could care less for a shout out.
Pensacola '94 New Orleans '95 Birmingham '98 New Orleans '00 New Orleans '03 Tampa '08 New Orleans '10 - Jazzfest New Orleans '16 - Jazzfest Fenway Park '18 St. Louis '22
I know this opened the last show and it’s rare to see the same opener two shows in a row, but there’s no one more deserving than Rich. There are few who have done more for the PJ community than Rich. RELEASE FOR RICH!!!
I was just made aware of this thread, in person, today. Really appreciate all the kind words.
I didn’t get Release. I didn’t know it was being requested for me. I DID get to rejoin my friends, on the rail, and let everything go for a few glorious hours… and then got to do that again from lovely stoneside reserved seats, with a dear friend, night two. And I’m gonna rinse repeat my way through Nashville, Raleigh and Pittsburgh.
This community is what we make it. And moments like this… feeling embraced so warmly… are truly wonderful. Never could’ve foreseen all this when I was originally exposed to this music through a childhood friend.
I’m not on here a lot… but I really appreciate Chrissy making this effort on my behalf. Big hugs to her, Trish, Tom, Vince and anybody else who I know but don’t know their screen names here.
And yeah, the guy next to me at Wrigley is named Shane and he’s an actual fucking hero. I’m just some dude who went to as many Pearl Jam shows as i could…
Rich is one of my nearest and dearest friends who I have met through this band back in 2003. It is so nice to read all the wonderful things written about him on this thread. I am so fortunate to call him a friend. I was with Rich on the rail 4/29/16. The impact of that moment, Ed’s words before the song, the date, all of it was so profound.
This is a wonderful sentiment and idea and I hope it happens for Rich. Although if you know Rich, you also know that he is not one to make a sign or draw the attention to himself. His 100th show in 2004 was the showbox. Rich made a post it sized sign that simply said “weed for Whipping” He made the sign on the hotel pad while waiting on a GA line. No mention of what number show it was for him, just a tiny request for one of his favorites. Ed did see it and laughed, but we did not get the song! lol. Rich is there to rock out every show like it could be his last. All while looking out for those around him in the pit. He doesn’t need or want the recognition. Just play him the song that has been so critical in helping him get through the great loss of his father and brother. Like Ed said on that fine evening in April. “
This song is about losing a Pop. This song is one of those healing songs. It’s not going to lessen the blow of any kind of tragedy. Sometimes it just helps get through, because you can’t get around it, you don’t get over it, you don’t get under it, you got to get through it.”
If you are reading this RTW, sending you a giant (((((((hug))))))
Comments
The "weed for Whipping" sign/note came out of retirement at the 2nd Earthlings Benaroya show on 2/22/22. He told me the story about it and decided on a whim to remake it since we were going to be so close. During Porch, Ed came over, handed us picks, and took the paper and put it in his pocket. When they came out for the encore, he pulled it out of his pocket and said something about the sign (and that he'd prefer another drug instead). Josh (I think) proceeded to play a couple of the chords, they all kind of looked at each other like they might try to figure it out, then some girl screamed "its my birthday" from the balcony and Ed got distracted (at least this is my recollection of this, I haven't come across a recording of these shows).
Such a memorable show (first one isnt my pic).
Gutted: London 2 2018, Sacramento 2022, Noblesville 2023
Remember seeing Mike handing him a setlist in Philly once.
A man living the PJ fans dream. Sure he could care less for a shout out.
But do it anyway you pu..ies!!
Have a safe fun tour all
Cincinnati 2014
Greenville 2016
(Raleigh 2016)
Columbia 2016
also Whipping
Pensacola '94
New Orleans '95
Birmingham '98
New Orleans '00
New Orleans '03
Tampa '08
New Orleans '10 - Jazzfest
New Orleans '16 - Jazzfest
Fenway Park '18
St. Louis '22
Much love, everybody. See ya on the road…