Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder clarifies anti-war statement made in concert
Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder has taken to his band’s website to issue his anti-war statement, used to basically clarify a statement some believed was anti-Israel.
During a gig in Milton Keynes, England last week Vedder delivered an anti-war tirade.
“I swear to f_____ng God, there are people out there who are looking for a reason to kill!,” said the singer, according to Rolling Stone.”Everyone’s the fuckin’ same! So why are people at war? Stop the fucking shit, now! Now! Now! We don’t want to give them our money. We don’t want to give them our taxes to drop bombs on children! Now! No more! Now!”
The Jerusalem Postlabeled the speech an “anti-Israel diatribe.”
Vedder and the band have long been anti-war advocates. In the lead up to the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, the band produced military-style dog tags that it sold at concerts. The dog tags said “No War 2003” on them.
Here is Vedder’s full July 16, 2014 statement as posted on PearlJam.com:
Imagine That — I’m Still Anti-War.
July 16 2014
Most of us have heard John Lennon sing
“You may say I’m a dreamer,… but I’m not the only one.”
And some of us, after another morning dose of news coverage full of
death and destruction, feel the need to reach out to others to see if
we are not alone in our outrage. With about a dozen assorted
ongoing conflicts in the news everyday, and with the stories
becoming more horrific, the level of sadness becomes unbearable.
And what becomes of our planet when that sadness becomes apathy?
Because we feel helpless. And we turn our heads and turn the page.
Currently, I’m full of hope. That hope springs from the multitudes of
people that our band has been fortunate enough to play for night
after night here in Europe. To see flags of so many different nations,
and to have these huge crowds gathered peacefully and joyfully is
the exact inspiration behind the words I felt the need to emphatically relay.
When attempting to make a plea for more peace in the world at a rock concert,
we are reflecting the feelings of all those we have come in contact with
so we may all have a better understanding of each other.
That’s not something I’m going to stop anytime soon. Call me nave.
I’d rather be nave, heartfelt and hopeful than resigned to say
nothing for fear of misinterpretation and retribution.
The majority of humans on this planet are more consumed by the
pursuit of love, health, family, food and shelter than any kind of war.
War hurts. It hurts no matter which sides the bombs are falling on.
With all the global achievements in modern technology,
enhanced communication and information devices, cracking the
human genome, land rovers on Mars etc., do we really have to
resign ourselves to the devastating reality that conflict will be
resolved with bombs, murder and acts of barbarism?
We are such a remarkable species. Capable of creating beauty.
Capable of awe-inspiring advancements. We must be capable of
resolving conflicts without bloodshed.
I don’t know how to reconcile the peaceful rainbow of flags we see
each night at our concerts with the daily news of a dozen global
conflicts and their horrific consequences. I don’t know how to
process the feeling of guilt and complicity when I hear about the
deaths of a civilian family from a U.S. drone strike. But I know that
we can’t let the sadness turn into apathy. And I do know we are
better off when we reach out to each other.
“I hope someday you’ll join us,…”
Won’t you listen to what the man said.
— Eddie Vedder
Vedder made news of a stranger kind earlier during the 2014 tour when he sang part of “Frozen’s” “Let It Go” at the end of Pearl Jam’s “Daughter.”
Vedder said he sang the Disney song as a request from his young daughter.
