by Betty Stone

Created on: July 06, 2009   Last Updated: July 07, 2009

I remember the first time I heard "Jeremy" by Pearl Jam. I was thunderstruck by the lyrics of the song. The story of a suicidal boy whose parents are the real problem. Here was a song that I related to. Not to mention, the brilliant, wavering, baritone voice of Eddie Vedder singing. That voice erupted into the Seattle music scene with thunder and lightning behind it.

Eddie Vedder is the writer of songs that deal with all of our social ills. Child abuse, spousal abuse, murder, homelessness, suicide and all of the terrible things that are hidden in so many of our lives. Pearl Jam has brought these things into the light, and forced everyone to take a long hard look at all that is wrong with our world.

Eddie Vedder's story is also interesting to know. He was actually raised by his mother and a stepfather. His mother and stepfather agreed that young Eddie would be told that the stepdad (Peter Mueller) was his real dad. Little did Eddie know, that his real dad was slowly dying of MS. He grew up thinking his real father was a family friend. By the time he found out the truth, it was too late. His real father, Ed Severson, had died. This led Eddie to great anger and bitterness towards his stepfather and his mother. He indulged in drugs and alcohol to dull the pain of knowing he had been deceived. His mother and Mueller eventually divorced, leaving Eddie even more angered because his mother had worked to put Mueller through school. Now he was out making good money and he wanted a divorce.

Vedder played in many garage bands and lost himself in the music. It was his friendship with Jack Irons (former Red Hot Chili Pepper's drummer) that changed his life. He connected Eddie to the band that would be Pearl Jam. The demo he sent of both his singing and lyrics, blew the other band members away. The fantastic album TEN would be the results.
Vedder is seen as difficult by some. Mostly because of his battle with Ticketmaster, and the refusal to do the usual music videos. But he is his own man, and his background certainly has influenced his personality. I admire him for his courage and commitment to social issues, even if I do not always agree with his stance.

Rear View Mirror contains two CDs and all of the bands great hits. The songs are as follows:

CD1


1. Once

The story of a serial killer. A rocking, headbanging song with a driving guitar rhythm. I love the line, " I got a bomb in my temple that is gonna explode." I can, I am afraid, relate to the barely contained anger of

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