The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Rearviewmirror
Looking back on magical night involving Pearl Jam and Rock Hall, more than two decades before band’s induction
Arms raised in aV — for Vedder.
For a quarter of a century, Pearl Jam has been my band. Now that the Seattle group is about to be inducted — on its first ballot, nonetheless — into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, memories are flooding back.
Such as seeing the grunge group on 1992’s “Lollapalooza” tour, watching U2’s Bono make a surprise appearance during a 2005 Toronto gig and taking my boys to their first Pearl Jam show (and my 33rd) this past summer at Boston’s Fenway Park.
However, my biggest thrill took place Jan. 12, 1993. At the time, I was living in Los Angeles and working in television when I first heard that not only were The Doors going to be inducted into the Rock Hall, but the ceremony for the first time was going to take place in Southern California.
Then came word Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder not only was going to induct my favorite band at the time, but also stand in for late Doors singer Jim Morrison during the night’s jam session. This was something I had to experience.
As the day grew near, my hopes subsided. Then fate stepped in. The afternoon of the induction, I was manning the phones at ABC-TV’s “The Home Show” when celebrity gossip queen and frequent contributor Rona Barrett called the production office looking for anyone who wanted to volunteer at the ceremony.
Naturally, I jumped at the opportunity.
After arriving at the Century Plaza Hotel dressed in my cheap suit (see embarrassing accompanying photo), I made one trip carrying equipment backstage and didn’t return for another assignment. Instead, I started to mingle as guests arrived.
I remember Cher and Billy Idol (who still was walking with a cane due to a recent motorcycle accident) coming down the escalator.
When the show started, the first inductee was The Doors. I nonchalantly slid into the convention room and watched as Vedder joked about taking acid with Ahmet Ertegun before coming onstage.
After each surviving member of The Doors gave his speech, security noticed my presence. Even though I was kicked out of the room, my mission was accomplished — I saw The Doors inducted.
Shortly after The Doors induction, I was walking to the bar area, which was completely empty. I noticed someone walking my way. It was Vedder, dressed in his early ’90s grunge attire and holding a notebook. In my mind, it was filled with the ideas that would become the band’s sophomore effort “Vs.,” which came out later that year.
At that point I was happy to sit in the press room and watch the artists parade through.
Shortly after The Doors induction, I was walking to the bar area, which was completely empty. I noticed someone walking my way. It was Vedder, dressed in his early ’90s grunge attire and holding a notebook. In my mind, it was filled with the ideas that would become the band’s sophomore effort “Vs.,” which came out later that year.
I quickly asked him for a photo, and he said, “How did you get in here?” He could sense I was a fan. I think I told him my story, but who knows. He was gone that quick.
That’s where the story could end, but back then, the jam sessions took place at the end of the night. Sitting in the press room, through the live feed we could hear musicians tuning up. Out of nowhere, Barrett’s assistant grabbed me. If I came quickly, she said, I could get inside the hall. We entered just as Vedder and the remaining members of The Doors kicked into “Roadhouse Blues,” “Break on Through” and “Light My Fire.” It was amazing.
Also amazing were the other jam sessions. Not only did Rock Hall inductees Cream reunite for the first time in roughly 25 years (it wouldn’t happen again until 2005), so did Creedence Clearwater Revival, sort of. John Fogerty would perform only if it didn’t include his estranged bandmates. So instead, Bruce Springsteen and Robbie Robertson played.
Deep into the evening, and still high on the experience, I traversed the Hollywood Hills, stopping at the top with “L.A. Woman” blaring and my arms raised in a V. What a night.