Music · 1990s
Eddie Vedder
Edward Louis Severson IIIBorn as
Lead singer of Pearl JamBand
Ten (1991), 13x platinumDebut album
Inducted with Pearl Jam in 2017Hall of Fame
Distinctive baritone, ranked among rock's bestVoice
The Turning Point
In 1991, Eddie Vedder joined the Seattle band that became Pearl Jam and recorded their debut album Ten. The record's raw emotion and his baritone voice made it one of the best-selling albums of the decade and helped define grunge.
California Surfer
Born in Illinois and raised partly in San Diego, Vedder was a passionate surfer and music fan. A demo tape passed to Seattle musicians changed his life.
Grunge Frontman
Joining Pearl Jam in 1990, he became one of the signature voices of the grunge era. The band's 1991 debut Ten sold over ten million copies in the U.S.
Restless Artist
Beyond Pearl Jam, Vedder explored solo work including the Into the Wild soundtrack and a ukulele album. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.
Career Timeline
- 1964Born Edward Severson in Evanston, Illinois
- 1990Joins Seattle band that becomes Pearl Jam
- 1991Debut album Ten released, a grunge landmark
- 1992Pearl Jam plays Lollapalooza, gains fame
- 1993Album Vs. sets first-week sales record
- 1994Band battles Ticketmaster over fees
- 1998"Last Kiss" cover becomes a surprise hit
- 2007Releases solo Into the Wild soundtrack
- 2011Releases ukulele solo album Ukulele Songs
- 2017Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- 2022Releases third solo album Earthling
- 2024Pearl Jam releases album Dark Matter
Biggest Hits
1991
AliveDefining early Pearl Jam anthem from Ten
1992
JeremyPowerful single with an iconic music video
1992
Even FlowHard-driving favorite from the debut album
1991
BlackAching ballad beloved by Pearl Jam fans
1998
Last KissCover that became Pearl Jam's biggest hit
Did You Know
- He grew up believing his stepfather was his biological father, an experience that inspired the Pearl Jam song "Alive."
- He composed the soundtrack for the 2007 film Into the Wild as his first solo album.
Portrait: Raph_PH · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons