"Why I ❤️ Neil Young" by Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard

 Neil Young and Stone Gossard of Pearl JamShoreline Amphitheatre, October 24, 2010 (Image credit: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
Neil Young: the “ultimate songwriter, singer, lead guitarist and soundscaper”

The musical relationship between Pearl Jam and Neil Young has a long and ever evolving dynamic.

Pearl Jam and Neil Young have been collaborating since at least 1992 when Pearl Jam and Neil played separately at the Bob Dylan tribute ("BobFest") at Madison Square Garden in New York City on October 16. It is believed that this is when Neil and Eddie Vedder first met and possibly Neil invited Pearl Jam to play at the Bridge School Benefit concert on 11/1/92.  

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Here is an essay on "Why I ❤️ Neil Young" by Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard (via Louder):

"To be honest I hadn't really listened to Neil Young until he asked us to play with him on [Young's 1995 album] Mirrorball: that had a huge impact upon us and it was such a compliment. And when I went back and listened to all his albums they just blew me away. Even his most obscure records have songs that are so beautiful and so moving that you can't believe they weren't huge hits.

"I've been listening to [1994's] Sleeps With Angels a lot, and that's such a beautiful record - Western Hero is gorgeous, Trans Am is incredible and Change Your Mind is one of the most fantastic songs ever written, it's just ridiculous in the way it starts to climb each time for his solos. And this is one of the records that people don't even talk about much! Every era of his career is great and he's still making cool, interesting records.

"We learned so much from playing with him. I've seen him play 30 or 40 times now and every time is an education. He's the ultimate songwriter, singer, lead guitarist and soundscaper, he's in that Dylan zone. The way he mixes up distortion and feedback and blues and folk and rock and soul and noise is just inspirational. The way he digs solos out, just throttling his guitar is masterful. And he has the heaviest groove around. He just sits back, and where he puts the downbeat just feels so great, so perfect.

"Plus the simplicity of his chord changes is amazing. I'd have conversations with him where I'd say 'God Neil, I'm so excited, I love that new song where you're just playing three chords' and he'd go 'Yeah, you know lately I've been really into just two chords...' and it's like 'Wow! God!' When I was in high school [Mudhoney guitarist] Steve Turner said to me 'Don't learn to play your guitar, don't figure it out, just get a band and do it' and that was the most liberating thing I'd ever heard, I'd never in my life heard anyone talk about art that way. So when Neil Young says you should concentrate on writing songs, but just use two chords, that's incredibly liberating, it makes music sound like it's for everyone, not this complicated, untouchable thing. Imagine if people knew that they could write a hit song after just learning a chord or two, imagine how freeing that would be.

"Neil's as old as hell, but he's like a kid in terms of how excited he is about music. He's the ultimate, I don't think anyone can touch him. And he's a gentleman, definitely one of the good guys."

More on the musical relationship between Pearl Jam and Neil Young.

Eddie VedderMerriwether Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD - 9/18/98
Photo by Thrasher

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Guitar World Interview: Neil Young Discusses 'Mirror Ball' and Working with Pearl Jam (September 1995)

Neil Young 

Guitar World - September 1995 

 

Here is a clip from Guitar World Interview: Neil Young Discusses 'Mirror Ball' and Working with Pearl Jam  (September 1995) by Gary Graff.

“People my age,” sings Neil Young on his latest album, Mirror Ball (Reprise), “they don’t do the things I do.”

No Kidding.

At 49 – an age when so many veteran rockers put themselves on the summer tour greatest hits treadmill – Young is still rocking with a fury, opening new vistas in his amply celebrated 30-year, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame career.  Mirror Ball is Young’s collaboration with Pearl Jam, an inevitable move, really, considering the creative kinship evident between the two since Pearl Jam emerged from Seattle in 1991.

Pearl Jam’s staunch independence – TicketMaster battle and all – echoes Young’s. 

And the quintet’s thick, dynamic guitar attack owes more that a little to Young’s part-time band, Crazy Horse. Young, for his part, has willingly played the benevolent and supportive big brother/father figure for not only Pearl Jam, but also for any other modern rock denizens who acknowledge him as an influence. If Pete Townshend were writing this story, it would be titled “The Punks Meet the Godfather.”

“I was completely honored to be playing with him,” Mike McCready gushes about the four days Young and Pearl Jam spent recording Mirror Ball in Seattle, with Pearl Jam collaborator Brendan O’Brien producing and playing keyboards. “We’re enamored of him… and I’m honored he says he’s into us. I think he just likes where we’re coming from. He sees a lot of honesty in our music.”

Still, there’s a difference between being buds and rubbing elbows with your heroes and actually getting down to brass tacks in the studio. 

“Oh yeah,” McCready acknowledges. “We’d be jamming, and I’d look over and say to myself, ‘That’s Neil Young, and he’s playing leads. That’s the shit!’ I could only wish to be that good. 

“I think he’s a genius. 

There’s a complexity to his playing, a complexity of emotions. He’ll sustain a note forever and it’ll sound amazing, whereas I’m used to playing a bunch of different leads. He made me look at how I play, and I’d like to eventually play like him. He always hits the right note. 

I don’t think it’s a thinking process for him; he just does it.”

Full interview @ Guitar World Interview: Neil Young Discusses 'Mirror Ball' and Working with Pearl Jam  (September 1995) by Gary Graff.

On Sept 11, 2022, Pearl Jam performed an encore with a cover of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" plus the "Star Spangled Banner".

Pearl Jam - 9/11/22 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
(see Pearl Jam encores Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" on 9-11 in NYC)

 

"Throw Your Hatred Down" video - Neil Young w/ Pearl Jam

Directed by Jim Sheridan

via Live in Dublin - Mirror Ball Live album | Hearse Theater | NYA

 

In 2021, we highlighted the upcoming Neil Young w/ Pearl Jam Mirror Ball Live album recorded in 1995 at the indoor Simmonscourt Arena, Dublin, Ireland. 

 

 

Neil Young and Pearl Jam

 

Simmonscourt Arena, Dublin, Ireland

photo via David Fallon

 

Pearl Jam and Neil Young have been collaborating since at least 1992 when Pearl Jam and Neil played separately at the Bob Dylan tribute ("BobFest") at Madison Square Garden in New York City on October 16. It is believed that this is when Neil and Eddie Vedder first met and possibly Neil invited Pearl Jam to play at the Bridge School Benefit concert. on 11/1/92. 

A few weeks later Pearl Jam would play the Bridge School concert and mark the beginning of a long and productive relationship. Since their initial meeting, Pearl Jam's music has been heavily influenced by Neil Young as demonstrated by their numerous covers of Young songs. For example, Pearl Jam has covered "Rockin In The Free World" over 100 times, often as final encores, according to the Pearl Jam fan site Lukin.

A year later, Neil would join Pearl Jam onstage at the MTV Music Awards on 9/2/93 to play an incendiary Rockin in The Free World. Critics would call the onstage interplay the highlight of an otherwise lackluster affair. The attention gained from "BobFest" and playing with Pearl Jam would introduce Neil to a new generation of admirers.

It is likely that during this period that Young invited Eddie Vedder to induct him into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame the following year.

For Neil's induction speech, Eddie Vedder said (from Five Horizons):

"He's taught us a lot as a band about dignity and commitment and playing in the moment and when I hear, you know, the speeches and inducting Janis Joplin and Frank Zappa, I get, uh, I'm just really glad he's still here. And I'm gonna (audience applauds; Eddie rolls his eyes, smiles and clutches his hand to his heart)... yeah!!

And I think I'm gonna have to say that I don't know if there's been another artist that has been inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame to commemorate a career that is still as vital as he is today. Some of his best songs were on his last record."

Several weeks later, Neil would return the favor and perform at the Voters For Choice Benefit Concerts in Washington, DC.

Neil went on to rescue a PJ show in San Francisco at the Polo Field on June 24, 1995 when Eddie fell sick after 3 songs.

The only recording Neil and Pearl Jam did together was the Mirror Ball and Merkin Ball albums. (The recording sessions and tour are covered in detail below. To play and listen to a MP3 sample from Neil Young Mirror Ball and Pearl Jam's Merkin Ball.) 

Neil Young & Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder 

Voters For Choice Benefit - January 14 & 15, 1995w/ Pearl Jam & Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse  

Pearl Jam & Neil Young
Toronto - September 11, 2011
(See Neil Young Fans Have Spoken and They Want Pearl Jam?! Archives Survey Results Posted)

"Walk With Me"

Pearl Jam w/ Neil Young 

2010 Bridge School Benefit Concert (24th Annual)

 

"Throw Your Hatred Down" 

Eddie Vedder & Neil Young

2014 Bridge School Benefit Concerts

Photo by Jay Blakesberg Photography

(Click photo to enlarge)

 

Also, see:

Collection of Mirror Ball and Merkin Ball Reviews - A Pearl Jam and Neil Young Collaboration

DISPATCHES FROM THE FIELD. Pearl Jam and Neil Young at Polo Field - June 24, 1995.

Voters For Choice Benefit - January 14 & 15, 1995

NEIL YOUNG/PEARL JAM Exhibition Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, August 18, 1993 - SPIN Mag

Bridge 2003 - 17th Annual Bridge School Benefit Concert, October 25th and 26th, 2003 - Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View, CA.

VIDEO: The Day Neil Young Saved a Pearl Jam Concert - San Francisco, 06.24.1995

Bridge Memory: "Walk With Me": Pearl Jam w/ Neil Young - 10/24/10

Pearl Jam, Rush, Journey Members Cover Neil Young at Rock Hall All-Star Jam

VIDEO: "Peace and Love" - Neil Young w/ Pearl Jam

VIDEO: Pearl Jam Covers Neil Young's "Throw Your Hatred Down" - Seattle, 8/8/2018

Jack White Joins Pearl Jam to Perform Neil Young's “Rockin’ in the Free World” at Portugal Fest

Neil Young Will Induct Pearl Jam into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

VIDEO: Pearl Jam's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction + "Rockin' in the Free World"

Super Jam Full Performance: 2017 Hall of Fame "Rockin' In The Free World" by Pearl Jam, Yes, Journey, Rush + More

Pearl Jam - Fuckin' Up - Hartford (October 25, 2013)

Pearl Jam + Red Hot Chili Peppers Cover Neil Young's "Rockin' In the Free World" in Rio

Nephew Eddie and Uncle Neil

Pearl Jam & Stephen Colbert Cover Neil Young's 'Rockin' In the Free World' | The Late Show

Eddie Vedder & Lukas Nelson + Promise Of The Real Cover Neil Young's "Throw Your Hatred Down": OHANA FESTIVAL (Sept 29, 2019)

Pearl Jam Covers "Fuckin' Up" in DC - 2006

Pearl Jam Working With Neil Young - Pearl Jam Twenty Film

Pearl Jam and Uncle Neil in Winnipeg - 2005

RARE VIDEO: Pearl Jam & Neil Young - "I'm The Ocean", San Francisco, CA 6/24/1995 

Uncle Neil & Nephew Eddie

 

For more on Pearl Jam and Neil Young, see Eddie Vedder Influences page. 

 

Eddie Vedder
Columbia, MD - 9/18/98
Photo by Thrasher 

Pearl Jam's "Lightning Bolt" Dedicated to Neil Young 

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Pearl Jam Encores "Rockin' in the Free World" on 9/11 in New York City

Pearl Jam - 9/11/22 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
(Click photo to enlarge) 

Pearl Jam performed an encore with a cover of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" plus the "Star Spangled Banner".

We've all seen this countless times.  

Concert ending.  House lights up.  Everyone on their feet. Crowd is roaring still after ~3 hours.

And PJ just kills it with a RITFW encore.  

But this is special and be sure to catch the segue from RITFW to "Star Spangled Banner" @ ~6:30.

Rockin' in the Free World - Star Spangled Banner 

From Far Out Magazine:

Elsewhere in the set, Pearl Jam took a minute to remember the tragedy of 9/11 on what was the 21st anniversary of the event. Vedder relayed the story of a man named Mike, who leaves New York every year on the date because of the trauma of the event. However, this year he “thought it would be a good idea to be here tonight with you”.

Vedder did express that he felt 9/11 had led to greater unity in the United States, saying: “There was a time we supported each other. That’s the part we cannot forget. Let those lessons be remembered as our solidarity to come together and keep this country straight.”

“This is the 37th time this band has played in New York City. I think we’ve only played Seattle 50. Here’s the thing – I don’t remember half of those fucking Seattle shows. I just don’t. But I feel like we remember ever Manhattan show,” Vedder said later.

“This potentially has the chance to be the most memorable of them all. We are quite honoured to be spending this important date with you.”

More on Pearl Jam, Eddie Vedder and "Uncle" Neil Young.

"Uncle" Neil Young and Eddie Vedder  

 

Pearl Jam's "Lightning Bolt" Dedicated to Neil Young

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VIDEO: Pearl Jam w/ Johnny Marr Cover Neil Young's "Throw Your Hatred Down"

"Throw Your Hatred Down"
Pearl Jam w/ Johnny Marr Hyde Park London - British Summer Time - 9th July 2022  

Pearl Jam covered Neil Young's "Throw Your Hatred Down" with The Smiths'  Johnny Marr to Cover Neil Young Song in London in Hyde Park, London on 9th July 2022.

 

 

 

Neil Young’s “Throw Your Hatred Down” (from album Mirror Ball), has been covered by  Pearl Jam numerous times.

More on Pearl Jam covers of Neil Young songs .

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PREVIEW: Pearl Jam and Neil Young - Live in Dublin From Upcoming Mirror Ball Live Album

"Throw Your Hatred Down" video - Neil Young w/ Pearl Jam

Directed by Jim Sheridan

via Live in Dublin - Mirror Ball Live album | Hearse Theater | NYA

 

Just recently, we highlighted the upcoming Neil Young w/ Pearl Jam Mirror Ball Live album recorded in 1995 at the indoor Simmonscourt Arena, Dublin, Ireland. 

 Here's a short sample of "Throw Your Hatred Down" video (see @ ~16:00).

 

Thrasher's Wheat Radio 2.0 Vodcast/Podcast - Episode #6 | Hosted by WBKM.org

 

 

Neil Young and Pearl Jam

 

Simmonscourt Arena, Dublin, Ireland

photo via David Fallon

 

Pearl Jam and Neil Young have been collaborating since at least 1992 when Pearl Jam and Neil played separately at the Bob Dylan tribute ("BobFest") at Madison Square Garden in New York City on October 16. It is believed that this is when Neil and Eddie Vedder first met and possibly Neil invited Pearl Jam to play at the Bridge School Benefit concert. on 11/1/92. 

A few weeks later Pearl Jam would play the Bridge School concert and mark the beginning of a long and productive relationship. Since their initial meeting, Pearl Jam's music has been heavily influenced by Neil Young as demonstrated by their numerous covers of Young songs. For example, Pearl Jam has covered "Rockin In The Free World" over 100 times, often as final encores, according to the Pearl Jam fan site Lukin.

A year later, Neil would join Pearl Jam onstage at the MTV Music Awards on 9/2/93 to play an incendiary Rockin in The Free World. Critics would call the onstage interplay the highlight of an otherwise lackluster affair. The attention gained from "BobFest" and playing with Pearl Jam would introduce Neil to a new generation of admirers.

It is likely that during this period that Young invited Eddie Vedder to induct him into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame the following year.

For Neil's induction speech, Eddie Vedder said (from Five Horizons):

"He's taught us a lot as a band about dignity and commitment and playing in the moment and when I hear, you know, the speeches and inducting Janis Joplin and Frank Zappa, I get, uh, I'm just really glad he's still here. And I'm gonna (audience applauds; Eddie rolls his eyes, smiles and clutches his hand to his heart)... yeah!!

And I think I'm gonna have to say that I don't know if there's been another artist that has been inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame to commemorate a career that is still as vital as he is today. Some of his best songs were on his last record."

Several weeks later, Neil would return the favor and perform at the Voters For Choice Benefit Concerts in Washington, DC.

Neil went on to rescue a PJ show in San Francisco at the Polo Field on June 24, 1995 when Eddie fell sick after 3 songs.

The only recording Neil and Pearl Jam did together was the Mirror Ball and Merkin Ball albums. (The recording sessions and tour are covered in detail below. To play and listen to a MP3 sample from Neil Young Mirror Ball and Pearl Jam's Merkin Ball.) 

Neil Young & Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder 

Voters For Choice Benefit - January 14 & 15, 1995w/ Pearl Jam & Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse  

Pearl Jam & Neil Young
Toronto - September 11, 2011
(See Neil Young Fans Have Spoken and They Want Pearl Jam?! Archives Survey Results Posted

 

Also, see:

A Collection of Mirror Ball and Merkin Ball Reviews

- A Pearl Jam and Neil Young Collaboration

DISPATCHES FROM THE FIELD. Pearl Jam and Neil Young at Polo Field - June 24, 1995.

Voters For Choice Benefit - January 14 & 15, 1995

NEIL YOUNG/PEARL JAM Exhibition Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, August 18, 1993 - SPIN Mag

Bridge 2003 - 17th Annual Bridge School Benefit Concert, October 25th and 26th, 2003 - Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View, CA.

VIDEO: The Day Neil Young Saved a Pearl Jam Concert - San Francisco, 06.24.1995

Bridge Memory: "Walk With Me": Pearl Jam w/ Neil Young - 10/24/10

Pearl Jam, Rush, Journey Members Cover Neil Young at Rock Hall All-Star Jam

VIDEO: "Peace and Love" - Neil Young w/ Pearl Jam

VIDEO: Pearl Jam Covers Neil Young's "Throw Your Hatred Down" - Seattle, 8/8/2018

Jack White Joins Pearl Jam to Perform Neil Young's “Rockin’ in the Free World” at Portugal Fest

Neil Young Will Induct Pearl Jam into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

VIDEO: Pearl Jam's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction + "Rockin' in the Free World"

Super Jam Full Performance: 2017 Hall of Fame "Rockin' In The Free World" by Pearl Jam, Yes, Journey, Rush + More

Pearl Jam - Fuckin' Up - Hartford (October 25, 2013)

Pearl Jam + Red Hot Chili Peppers Cover Neil Young's "Rockin' In the Free World" in Rio

Nephew Eddie and Uncle Neil

Pearl Jam & Stephen Colbert Cover Neil Young's 'Rockin' In the Free World' | The Late Show

Eddie Vedder & Lukas Nelson + Promise Of The Real Cover Neil Young's "Throw Your Hatred Down": OHANA FESTIVAL (Sept 29, 2019)

Pearl Jam Covers "Fuckin' Up" in DC - 2006

Pearl Jam Working With Neil Young - Pearl Jam Twenty Film

Pearl Jam and Uncle Neil in Winnipeg - 2005

RARE VIDEO: Pearl Jam & Neil Young - "I'm The Ocean", San Francisco, CA 6/24/1995 

Uncle Neil & Nephew Eddie

 

For more on Pearl Jam and Neil Young, see Eddie Vedder Influences page. 

 

Eddie Vedder
Columbia, MD - 9/18/98
Photo by Thrasher

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VIDEO: "Peace and Love" - Neil Young w/ Pearl Jam

"Peace and Love" - Neil Young w/ Pearl Jam

It has been a very long time since we last saw the music video for "Peace and Love" by Neil Young with Pearl Jam.

The 1995 song "Peace and Love" from the album Mirror Ball by Neil Young with Pearl Jam is the Song of the Day (October 28) on Neil Young Archives and the video is linked at "Peace and Love" - Neil Young w/ Pearl Jam.

Lots of powerful imagery in the music video including a white dove, landing on Neil's White Falcon guitar, while dressed in all white.

Frame via Official Music Video for "Peace and Love" - Neil Young w/ Pearl Jam

Peace and love
Flying so high
Peace and love
Too young to die
Peace and love
Now you decide
Stay for the children
You don't really want to go
Can't feel it pulling like you did
Peace and love

☮️ ❤️

Also, see Mirror Ball - Neil Young Album Reviews.

Mirror Ball by Neil Young with Pearl Jam

For more on the musical collaborations of Eddie Vedder and Neil, see Pearl Jam and Neil Young page with details on Bridge School concerts, the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame induction, and more.

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Eddie Vedder & Lukas Nelson + Promise Of The Real Cover Neil Young's "Throw Your Hatred Down": OHANA FESTIVAL (Sept 29, 2019)

Eddie Vedder joined Lukas Nelson + Promise Of The Real to cover Neil Young's "Throw Your Hatred Down" at the fourth annual Ohana Festival, at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, California on Sept 29, 2019.

Neil Young's “Rockin’ In The Free World” closed out the festival with most acts joining including The Strokes, Red Hot Chili Peppers and others.

Eddie Vedder & Lukas Nelson + Promise Of The Real
Ohana Festival 2019

Watch @PearlJam frontman Eddie Vedder guest with @TheStrokes, Red Hot @ChiliPeppers and @LukasNelson & Promise Of The Real during this past weekend's @TheOhanaFest https://t.co/ZH7TQhCWH4

— JamBase (@JamBase) October 1, 2019

From interview with Neil Young on "Mirror Ball world premier with Dave Marsh", August 1995:

Dave Marsh: But one of the clearest and most direct statements on the record is the next thing we're going to hear which is Throw You Hatred Down, which I understand was originally called Throw Your Weapons down.

Neil Young: Yeah, I sometimes mess around with titles for a while and i couldn't figure out which one to use, so I thought I'd just wait until I sang it and see which one I sang first. Because when you're playing, some words work better than others and it's never done and until it's over, you know, it's never finished. And even then, it's not finished because I keep changing it after that anyway.

Dave Marsh: Yeah, well, Throw Your Hatred Down talks about people being divided by their dreams and I think that goes back to the kind of 60s versus 90s versus 70s and 80s or the 60s and the 90s versus the 70s, you know, connecting up to the 70s and 80s sensibility. Am I right about that?

Neil Young: Well, I was thinking about the kids in the schoolyard who are fighting - like just the different ways to go and they're started right there. Just how ... where does it start ... where do we start the conflict? You know, where does it begin? It must begin at birth or something, because conflict is always there. It seems part of our nature, as sad as it sounds. I mean it must just be there ... and I just, you know ... was drifting around in my head trying ... I just had all these images of this ... conflict and people planning ways to overcome evil and evil planning ways to encroach on good.

More on Mirror Ball album reviews, etc.

"Meanwhile in the underworld
The weaknesses are seen
By peasants and presidents
Who plan the counter-scheme
Children in the schoolyard
Finish choosing teams
Divided by their dreams
While a TV screams

Throw your weapons down
Throw your weapons down"

More on Nephew Eddie and Uncle Neil.

Neil Young & Eddie Vedder
(Nephew Eddie and Uncle Neil)

UPDATE: Neil says on NYA that the Neil Young with Pearl Jam concert in Dublin, August 1995 with "Throw Your Hatred Down", has been located. The plan is to screen in Hearse Theater at a future date.

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RARE VIDEO: Pearl Jam & Neil Young - "I'm The Ocean", San Francisco, CA 6/24/1995

UPDATED: 11/19/18 - After posting, the following appeared on Neil Young Archives (NYA): Song of the Day - "I'm The Ocean":

"I'm The Ocean"
via Neil Young Archives (NYA): Song of the Day

Cool. Still searchin' :)

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Well here's a blast from the past.

Here is a very rare video of Pearl Jam and Neil Young performing "I'm The Ocean" in concert at Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA on June 24, 1995. The tape comes from the legendary Wolfgang's Vault -- Bill Grahams' Archives of concert recordings.

2005 Story on Discovery

Wolfgang's Vault -- Bill Grahams' Archives

This video is a special memory here at Thrasher's Wheat.

This concert was TW's first attempt at live blogging back in 1995. It actually resulted in real time posts on Rust, that were archived to this website. This concert was really the genesis of what we eventually evolved to become -- gonzo blogging with abandon and without regard for the consequences of blogging truth to power.

Although an incomplete recording, it is pretty cool to see this actual concert footage 20+ years later. Historically, this concert has come to be known as "The Day Neil Young Saved a Pearl Jam Concert". After Eddie Vedder fell ill a few songs into the set, Neil Young stepped in to take the lead of Pearl Jam for the remaining setlist.

Uncle Neil & Nephew Eddie

Here from the TW archives, are those legendary real time rust posts from way back in those lonely early days of the internet: "Dispatches from the Field".

Pearl Jam and Neil Young at Polo Field June 24, 1995.
PEARL JAM DISPATCH FROM THE FIELD #1

ADDICTED TO NOISE (ATN) special correspondent Michael Goldberg reports: 11:42 AM. Pearl Jam's Monkey Wrench radio (88.1 FM) is blasting out Seattle punk. "Live 105 say they are broadcasting live from the Pearl Jam show," says the DJ. "They are nothing but a bunch of motherfucking liers."

A skull and crossbones pirates flag is blowing in the wind above the white sound tent located on the Polo Field in San Francisco where the show will begin shortly.

It is an amazing site, watching fans streaming onto the Polo Field until every square inch is covered with people. The crowd is, naturally, young. Lots of guys with no shirts; lots of women in bikinis. Lots of tattoos, like the one of a dragon on the guy sitting about 6 yards away from me. Backwards baseball hats, shaved heads, a woman with a t-shirt that reads: "Birth School Metallica Death." A guy with "O. J.'s Guilty" written across his chest.

It is an amazingly goodnatured, friendly crowd. Strangers striking up conversations everywhere.

Scalpers were having a hell of a time selling their Pearl Jam tickets, which I was happy to see. Apparently several 1000 tickets had been held back for the purpose of selling on the day of the show, thus killing the demand for scalped tickets.

Cool.

Pearl Jam/Neil Young
Golden Gate Park, Polo Fields
San Francisco, CA
June, 24th 1995

Setlist:

1. Last Exit
2. Spin the Black Circle**
3. Go*
4. Animal*
5. Tremor Christ*
6. Corduroy*
7. Not for You
8. Speech
9. Big Green Country**
10. Act Of Love
11. Throw Your Hatred Down*
12. Powderfinger*
13. Truth Be Known*
14. Rockin' In The Free World*
15. The Needle And The Damage Done
16. Hey Hey, My My
17. I'm The Ocean
18. Down By The River
19. Downtown
20. Cortez The Killer
21. Jeff Speech*
22. Peace And Love
23. Rockin' In The Free World

* Missing
** Incomplete

More on Pearl Jam and Neil Young at Polo Field on June 24, 1995 at "Dispatches from the Field". Also, see Pearl Jam and Neil Young.

Eddie Vedder & Neil Young

2014 Bridge School Benefit Concerts

Photo by Jay Blakesberg Photography

(Click photo to enlarge)

The Photo of the Moment is Eddie Vedder & Neil Young at 2014 Bridge School Benefit Concerts performing "Throw Your Hatred Down" with Pearl Jam.

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VIDEO: Pearl Jam Covers Neil Young's "Throw Your Hatred Down" - Seattle, 8/8/2018

Pearl Jam covered Neil Young's "Throw Your Hatred Down" earlier this week at Safeco Field in Seattle on 8/8/2018.

"Throw Your Hatred Down" is from the 1995 album Mirror Ball -- the only official recording Neil Young and Pearl Jam did together (aside from Merkin Ball EP).

Pearl Jam also covered Young's “Rockin’ In The Free World,” The Beatle’s “Help,” Little Steven’s “I Am A Patriot,” Brandi Carlile’s “Again Today,” White Stripes' “We’re Going To Be Friends” and Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb.”

Also, note "The Kids" onstage, which would seem to be a page from Neil and Pegi Young's Annual Bridge School Benefit Concerts.

More on Pearl Jam and Neil Young's musical collaborations.

“Rockin’ In The Free World”
Neil Young & Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Canada - 9/11/11

Also, see Pearl Jam & Neil Young Encore "Rockin' In The Free World" on 9-11.

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Jack White Joins Pearl Jam to Perform Neil Young's “Rockin’ in the Free World” at Portugal Fest

Jack White joined Pearl Jam to perform Neil Young's “Rockin’ in the Free World” at Portugal's NOS Alive Festival on July 14, 2018.

More on Pearl Jam and Neil Young.

Also, see Jack White on recording with Neil Young.

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Pearl Jam + Red Hot Chili Peppers Cover Neil Young's "Rockin' In the Free World" in Rio

Pearl Jam + Red Hot Chili Peppers members Chad Smith and Josh Klinghoffer covered Neil Young's "Rockin' In the Free World" in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Mar 22, 2018.

More on Pearl Jam and Neil Young and more on Red Hot Chili Peppers and Neil Young.

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Super Jam Full Performance: 2017 Hall of Fame "Rockin' In The Free World" by Pearl Jam, Yes, Journey, Rush + More

Here is the full performance Neil Young's "Rockin' the Free World" with Pearl Jam, Yes, Journey, Rush and special guest Dhani Harrison to conclude the 2017 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

As noted, Neal Schon plays on the first solo, Alex Lifeson on the second one and Rabin on the grand finale.

Last month, Neil Young was supposed to induct Pearl Jam into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, however he fell ill (fortunately, "nothing major"), so David Letterman performed the induction honors instead.

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VIDEO: Pearl Jam's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction + "Rockin' in the Free World"

Earlier this month, Pearl Jam was inducted into the The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Originally, Neil Young was announced to induct Pearl Jam, however he fell ill (fortunately, "nothing major"), so David Letterman performed the induction honors instead. So although Neil Young couldn't make the ceremony, his spirit prevailed throughout the evening until the finale all-star jam of "Rockin' in the Free World.

The induction ceremony ended with an all-star jam that included Yes' Trevor Rabin, Rush's Geddy Lee and Journey's Neal Schon joined Pearl Jam onstage at Brooklyn's Barclays Center to cover Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World."

The video above is the Pearl Jam portions of the evening, including:

• Induction video @ 00:00
• David Letterman's induction speech @ ~08:30
• Pearl Jam Acceptance speeches @ ~17:30
• Pearl Jam set @ ~42:00
• Finale: "Rockin' in the Free World" @ ~1:01:00

Also, see more on the long history of the musical collaborations between Pearl Jam and Neil Young.

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Pearl Jam, Rush, Journey Members Cover Neil Young at Rock Hall All-Star Jam

Neil Young could not make it to last night's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony due to illness, but his spirit prevailed throughout the evening until the finale all-star jam of "Rockin' in the Free World."

From RollingStone.com:

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony ended with a raucous, enthralling all-star jam on Friday night, as a group of musicians that included Yes' Trevor Rabin, Rush's Geddy Lee and Journey's Neal Schon joined Pearl Jam onstage at Brooklyn's Barclays Center to cover Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World."

Young, who was originally slated to induct Pearl Jam but pulled out due to illness, was absent. "The truth of it is, the poor guy can't stay up that late," David Letterman quipped before inducting Pearl Jam earlier in the night. "It's either that, or he swallowed a harmonica."

Young's absence didn't hamper the performance, which featured enough guitars to equip a small army battalion. The all-star ensemble kept solos to a minimum, choosing to focus mostly on the central riff that gives Young's track its rugged power. As all the guitarists slammed through the chugging progression again and again, "Rockin' in the Free World" began to acquire the sludgy charm of primal garage rock. It's a testament to Vedder's singing abilities that he wasn't drowned out by all the players around him.

From TRANSCRIPT: David Letterman's Eloquent Rock Hall Induction Speech for Pearl Jam

David Letterman: Thank you. That's very kind of you. I can't even begin to tell you what an honor and a privilege it is to be out of the house. I know Neil Young was supposed to be here. People are looking at me like I had something to do with it. Why isn't Neil Young here? The truth of it is the poor guy just can't stay up this late. That's what it is. Either that or he swallowed a harmonica. I'm not sure.
...
When I came here to rehearsal and heard live music again I was reminded, oh my God what a gift live music is. I know all of these people and my band and Paul Shaffer were tremendous. Never take the opportunity for live music for granted and that's the message I can bring you folks tonight. It's a delight to be back here for this. By the way I've known Neil Young for many, many years. We met a long time ago on farmersonly.com. In 1988 is when I first met most of the people involved in Pearl Jam who were all in a band called Mother Love Bone. [Applause]

From TRANSCRIPT: Pearl Jam's Humble Rock Hall Induction Speech:

Jeff Ament: When I was 13, my uncle Pat gave me some singles, which was, the key to a well-respected man. This coincided with reading Death of a Salesman, in 7th grade class. After that I was put in a course never to be Willy Loman, which somehow correlated to a lifetime of playing bands, so if I seem a little bit nervous, blame Arthur Miller as I've never been very comfortable in a room full of seats. In 1983, I moved to Seattle, looking for my tribe. Other artists, musicians, individuals, hard workers, skateboarders. I found a lot of these folks – many are still my friends. I met Stone a month after moving to Seattle. At those first Seattle punk rock shows, I met Stone almost thirty-five years ago, which ultimately led me to our band community.

Being here with the band, who have become some of my best friends in the process, making music and art, traveling the world, supporting causes and programs together, making small differences, meeting great artists and creative minds all over the world. That's a pretty great fucking life. It's an honor in to be part of a club that includes so many of our heroes – Neil, the Clash, Zeppelin, the Stooges, Cheap Trick – but the fact is that we were affected by bands that aren't here. So many important bands that made us want to pick up our guitars and right songs. But the very best part about tonight is that my mom, who gave me the keys to the piano and my dad, who taught me about hard work and community, they're here with my family. So this is for every small town kid who has a dream. Thanks to everybody who supports us and inspires us. You're great fans. Everybody who works with us with the band. Kelly, George have been with us for 27 years, 26 years. Thank you. Love you.

Pearl Jam at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Photo by Kevin Kane/WireImage/Getty

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The following is an unpaid Public Service Announcement....



Induct Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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