| Eddie Vedder |
Article Index for Eddie |
Shopping Vedder |
Website Links For Eddie |
Information AboutEddie Vedder |
Eddie Vedder (born '''Edward Louis Severson III''' on December 23 , 1964 in Evanston , Illinois ) is the Lead Singer and one of three Guitar Player s for the Rock band Pearl Jam . He is notable for his deep and influential Baritone vocal style, and along with his instantly-recognizable and often-imitated voice he remains a Cultural Icon of his era, the Grunge Rock scene he was a part of, and Alternative Rock as a whole. EARLY YEARS Vedder was born in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois, the son of Karen Lee Vedder and Edward Louis Severson, Jr.http://www.wargs.com/other/severson.html His parents divorced in 1965, when Eddie was a year old. His mother soon remarried a man named Peter Mueller, and young Eddie was raised believing that Mueller was his biological father. In the mid-1970s, the family, including Vedder's three younger half-brothers, moved to San Diego County, California . It was at this point that Eddie, who had received a Guitar from his mother on his 12th birthday, began turning to music as a source of comfort. His mother and Mueller divorced when Eddie was in his late teens. His mother and brothers moved back to the Chicago area, but Eddie remained with his stepfather in California so he would not have to change high schools. It was not until after the divorce that Eddie learned the truth about his parentage. Mueller was really his stepfather. Eddie had met his biological father briefly as a child, but had believed that Severson was merely an old friend of his parents. By the time Eddie learned the truth, Severson had died of Multiple Sclerosis . Eddie's already bad relationship with his stepfather became increasingly strained. He eventually dropped out of San Dieguito High School and joined the rest of his family in Chicago. He also changed his name to Eddie Vedder, "Vedder" being his mother's maiden name. This is expressed in the song "Alive" on the album '' Ten ''. In 1984, Vedder returned to San Diego with his girlfriend, Beth Liebling . He kept busy recording Demo Tape s at his home and working various jobs, including positions as a night attendant at a local Gas Station and a contracted security guard at the La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla. EARLY WORK Vedder had several stints in San Diego area bands. One included future cover/tribute band.Kiedis, Anthony. '' Scar Tissue ''. Hyperion, 2004. ISBN 1401301010 In 1988, the rather shy singer became the vocalist for the San Diego progressive funk-rock band Bad Radio . During his time with Bad Radio he penned and performed the song " Better Man ", a song based on the relationship between his mother and his stepfather. This song would later become a hit for Pearl Jam. After leaving Bad Radio in 1990, Vedder's friend and former ''. October 28 , 1993 . After hearing the tape, guitarist Stone Gossard and bassist Jeff Ament invited Vedder to come to Seattle to audition for the band that soon became Pearl Jam. They were instantly impressed with his unique sound and the fact that he knew a little about Andrew Wood . Very soon after joining Pearl Jam, even before recording '' Ten '', Vedder was brought in to provide backing vocals on the '' Temple Of The Dog '' album, a tribute to late Mother Love Bone singer Andrew Wood that featured members of both Pearl Jam and Soundgarden . PEARL JAM Although best known as a vocalist, Vedder also plays several musical instruments. He plays . June 30 , 2006 . On Pearl Jam records, Vedder uses the Pseudonym "Jerome Turner" for his non-musical (usually design and artwork) contributions. He has also sometimes used the Pseudonym of "Wes C. Addle" ("West Seattle"). Vedder began incorporating political statements into his performances early in his career with Pearl Jam. At concerts he often pauses between songs to engage in brief Political Commentary . During Pearl Jam's 1992 appearance on '' MTV Unplugged '', Vedder stood atop his stool, took out a marker pen, and wrote PRO-CHOICE down his arm in large letters. Pearl Jam performed a Rock for Choice benefit concert in Pensacola, Florida in March of 1994, commemorating the one-year anniversary of the assassination of local abortion provider Dr. David Gunn . Pearl Jam were one of the headliners of the 2004 Vote For Change Tour. Vedder is known for playing "presets" at Pearl Jam shows, coming onstage with just a guitar (sometimes with a harmonica) and playing one or two songs to warm up the audience for the opening band. The songs performed during this part of the set are frequently slower acoustic songs such as " Long Road " and Cat Stevens 's " Trouble ". Many of these songs are not frequently on the Pearl Jam set list, giving audiences a chance to hear material in a more intimate manner. OTHER WORK In addition to playing with Pearl Jam, and Temple of The Dog, Vedder has performed or recorded with numerous well-known artists, including Bruce Springsteen , Dave Matthews , U2 , Alice In Chains , Soundgarden , Ben Harper , Tom Petty , Neil Young , Neil Finn , Beck , Mike Ness , Lyle Workman, Presidents Of The United States Of America , Mark Seymour , Robert Plant , Bad Religion , Red Hot Chili Peppers , R.E.M. , Rolling Stones , The Strokes , Victoria Williams , My Morning Jacket , Kings Of Leon , Sonic Youth , The Who , Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan , Supersuckers , Susan Sarandon , Tim Robbins , Supergrass , Ministry , Chris Cornell , Jack Johnson , Ramones , Iggy Pop , Gary Heffern, Cat Power , Zeke , Peter Frampton , G.E. Smith , Wolfmother , Sleater-Kinney , Mike Watt and the remaining members of The Doors . Vedder has inducted The Doors , Neil Young , the Ramones , and R.E.M. into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame . He has contributed solo material to several soundtracks and compilations, including the soundtracks for the films ''. July 4 , 2007 . Vedder appeared in the 1992 movie '' Singles '' as himself, in lead actor Matt Dillon 's backing band, Citizen Dick. In 2007, he will make a cameo as himself in the upcoming film '' Walk Hard ''. PERSONAL LIFE Vedder married longtime girlfriend ''. He and McCormick have one daughter, Olivia, who was born June 11, 2004. Eddie is also a friend of The Who guitarist Pete Townshend , singer Chris Cornell , and was a close friend of the late Ramones guitarist Johnny Ramone , being by Johnny's side on his deathbed. Since Johnny's death, Eddie and Pearl Jam have played a cover of Ramones' hit "I Believe In Miracles" regularly at live shows. Eddie attended San Dieguito High School, now called San Dieguito Academy , and donated more than $10,000 from a local concert towards the construction of a theater for the school. In his spare time, Eddie is a . April 4 , 2006 . He is also a friend of famed surfers Kelly Slater , Laird Hamilton , and fellow musician Jack Johnson . He was featured with Laird Hamilton in an episode of the documentary series ''Iconoclasts'' in 2006. He also has paddled Outrigger Canoe s on occasion and in 2005 was nearly lost at sea trying to paddle from Moloka'i to Oahu. "Vedder Saved From Drowning By Fishermen" . contactmusic.com Vedder shows his support for environmental activism by sporting an . Vedder is also a long-time fan of the Chicago Cubs , and is good friends with pitcher Kerry Wood . Vedder has sung " Take Me Out To The Ball Game " at four Cubs games since 1998. In 2007, a few days before performing with Pearl Jam in Chicago for Lollapalooza, he threw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field (the home of the Cubs). REFERENCES IN SONGS Vedder has been referenced in other artists' songs. These include:
DISCOGRAPHY REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS
|
|
|