It was ten years ago, on October 22nd, 2013, that the WMMR family got an opportunity they’d been working at for a very long time: a chance to sit down and chat with Eddie Vedder. The elusive singer doesn’t do a ton of press, but after many emails and lots of love for Pearl Jam on our airwaves, the gang was permitted backstage at the Wells Fargo Center. Pierre Robert, Nick McIlwain of the Preston & Steve Show, and Matt Cord (now down the hall at our sister station WMGK) were honored to spend a few minutes with him before the gig.
This interview was years in the making – and Eddie was every bit as cool as we hoped he’d be. Later that night, he uttered the now-legendary shout out: “To Nick…”
In this chat, they discussed Pearl Jam’s relationship with Philadelphia and their run of 2009 shows that closed out the Spectrum. Eddie reflects on the band’s impact, the connection with their fans, and his unlikely way to unwind: axe throwing.