Back in 1993 (when I was 12), my babysitter gave me a tape of Guns N’ Roses’ Use Your Illusion II. He warned me to never let my parents hear it cause they’d hate it, and would probably stop me listening to it. It was like nothing I’d heard before. I loved it. And I still love it today.

I asked him if there were any other tapes he could give me, so, the next time he visited, I got shitty recordings of Ten and Vs. I listened to Vs first and I can’t even begin to describe how it felt – like my life had instantly been rebooted. It’s like all my senses were washed clean and I was experiencing emotions like never before.

I instantly started playing along to both albums on my drum kit, pretty much on a daily basis. Then I got my mum’s guitar and started sounding the chords out.

Later I discovered that a mate older brother had been to the US and had brought back this elusive thing called The Hallucinogenic Recipes. Holy crap.

I lived to find new people who loved this band, and trade tapes, and find boots, and one down tracked down a chick from Engadine who hooked me up with MTV Unplugged and Pinkpop 92 on VHS. I made 2 copies of that tape, and watched them every morning before school. When the first copy died I’d start the next one. I still have the original VHS with “Do not ever erase or I WILL KILL YOU” scrawled all over it.
Anyway i could go on and on.

I’ll always be eternal to my awesome babysitter. Thanks to him I found this band that has changed my soul. And ultimately resulted in Meeting Eddie Vedder.

OKAY. This is a self indulgent post, and is mainly here for my memory, but a few people have asked about it. I’ll probably update it as my memories become clearer and less exaggerated, but here it goes…

A little background for those that don’t know:

During the Pearl Jam show at Sydney Football Stadium in 2009, Ed dedicated the song Light Years to our son Sebastian who we lost before he was born.
(Huge thanks go to MR for telling EV about this and making it happen).
View on YouTube

Anyway, on Friday night, 25th of March 2011, in Adelaide, I met Eddie Vedder.

I’m remember I bumbling on like an idiot, but it was an amazing experience. To meet my musical idol, someone who I’ve imitated, looked up to and drawn inspiration from for 20 years; who’s lyrics have gotten me through both the happiest and the most painful times in my life.
Amazing.

So I knew Ed was around, but I didn’t want to bother him. I knew he was about to leave, and I knew this was my only opportunity to do what i’d always dreamed of.

As he was walking past, I cautiously grabbed his attention, to which he stopped and says “Hey!” enthusiastically. I introduce myself, and then my wife Alison. She was standing back as to give me my opportunity, but I just had to have her by my side. He shook my hand and then Alison’s, with this big grin on his face, and an intense look that showed we had his full concentration. I asked how he was enjoying the night etc. (this part was a blur… I’m freaking talking to EV and am in shock).

I then explained “I never thought I’d ever have the opportunity to do this, but in Sydney 2009, you dedicated a song to my son, and I’ve always wanted to thank you for this, as it has meant so much to us. It was Light Years”.

Ed asks “Oh yeah? How’s that all going?”. I bumble on again, not quite sure what his question meant, saying: “Oh… well… we lost him” (I’m sure that was pretty obvious given the song was Light Years). Ed grabs my arm and holds on tight, with this benevolent smile. He looks at me intensely again and says “And how are you guys holding up?”. Oh geez I wasn’t expecting a to delve into this further but somehow he’s making me emotional. I responded with “Yeah… we’re good. We’re doin okay”.

He lifts his other arm and pulls me in for a long, firm hug.

ED. VEDDER. IS. HUGGING ME.

He then reaches over and hugs Alison. Ed steps back, still holding my shoulder, saying “You both look good together. You’re strong together”. I thank him and tell him how much I appreciate his words etc.

I go on to tell him that the shows have been incredible, conscious that he was leaving, and not wanting to keep him too long. He says “really? You’ve been to some already?”. I respond “Yeah we’ve been to quite a few” (I didn’t want to sound like I was bragging (or creepy) by saying we were attending 8 shows).

“Tomorrow night is our last, but we’re really looking forward to it”. I don’t remember what he said next, but it was something like “Wow, thanks for coming back, it means a lot”. We shake hands again and I thank him for his time, saying how much I appreciate his words… good bye, have a good night etc. He then leans in for another hug, then leans over and says goodbye to Alison, followed by something like “its ok darlin’” in a reassuring tone.

Anyway, that’s all I can remember. A dream come true. I’ve always wanted to thank him for the song dedication in 2009 without it being forced or rushed. We got our opportunity and it was a moment I’ll always remember.

He’s such a humble guy, who truly cares for his fans. Someone that i’m proud to have as my musical idol and roll-model.

Too. Awesome.

Bed42 on twitter reports that it’s also working on Telstra. Yay.

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Apple TV Batch Encoder

Saw Santa on the freeway to Newcastle at Christmas time. Dude was fair haulin'.