Pearl Jam ‘Crash’ Eddie Vedder’s Solo Show With New Drummer

Eddie Vedder performed at the Ohana Music Festival in Dana Point, California this past Friday and brought on ‘surprise guest’ Pearl Jam after playing five songs solo.  The band played some of their big hits in their 15 songs but the big news was the big drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. guesting behind the kit.  Pearl Jam have kept who their new drummer is a mystery and it’s unclear whether Laboriel Jr. (holding hands with Vedder in the photo) is the permanent replacement or if this is a trial.  Vedder introduced Abe as if he was just guesting for that one show.  So the mystery remains whether or not Pearl Jam is back to full throttle with a full lineup. “Evenflow”, “Corduroy” and “Better Man” were among the hits played on this September 25^th date. 

Laboriel Jr. has played with several big rock acts including Paul McCartney primarily starting in 2002, along with Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, and even B.B. King.  Abe helped rejuvenate McCartney’s live show by helping rock up some of his songs with hard hitting but also with a great backing vocal singing many Beatle and McCartney solo hits.  In later years, he sang more to cover some of McCartney’s aging vocals.

Pearl Jam’s next shows are in Brazil during November for the ‘Best of Rock and Blues’ Festival.