Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder surprised fans at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on Saturday night when he brought an AFL legend onto the stage.
The legendary grunge rockers were playing the first of two Melbourne shows as part of their n Dark Matter tour when Brisbane Lions legend Jonathan Brown made an impromptu appearance.
The Fox Footy commentator, 43, and Vedder, 59, are connected through a charity – EB Research Support – that was founded by the frontman and his wife Jill.
The charity, of which Brown is an ambassador, raises funds to find a cure for Epidermolysis Bullosa, a rare, genetic skin disorder.
Introducing the footy great to the stage, Vedder described him as a ‘hero.’
‘You knew him before I did and I didn’t really know him as a hero but he’s absolutely become one of mine, just from knowing him as a human, as a person,’ Vedder told the crowd.
Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder (pictured last week) surprised fans in Melbourne on Saturday night when he brought an AFL legend to the stage.
The legendary grunge rockers were playing the first of two Melbourne shows as part of their n Dark Matter tour ,when Brisbane Lions legend Jonathan Brown made an impromptu appearance. Pictured: Eddie Vedder (l) and Jonathan Brown (r)
‘He’s been a great support. He’s been a great spokesperson for EB.’
Vedder then handed Brown his guitar which he wore for a moment before exiting the stage, with the rock legend joking: ‘I was just going to see if I could scare him.’
The surprise cameo comes after Vedder blasted n anti-abortion politicians during a gig on the Gold Coast.
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Vedder, who is known for his pro-choice stance, also appeared to take a crack at the outcome of the US election during a break between songs at People First Stadium on Wednesday.
The Gold Coast Bulletin reported in a review of the show that Vedder referenced Trump several times.
Included in the band’s set as a sign off tune for the night was Neil Young’s 1989 tune Rockin’ in the Free World.
During a rambling address to the packed out crowd Vedder paid a surprising tribute to local AFL legends.
‘We like the underdogs, we like the Gold Coast Suns and it’s men and women which is bada**,’ Vedder began.
The Fox Footy commentator and Vedder are connected through a charity – EB Research Support – that was founded by the frontman and his wife Jill. Pictured: Jonathan Brown playing for the Brisbane Lions in 2010
He continued: ‘The ball’s coming at you or let’s say an accident happens, or let’s say an election happens, or an election that feels like an accident, don’t react. Just respond.’
His remarks about abortion came during a performance of the song Daughter.
In a daring move the grunge veterans incorporated a 1980 tune by Pink Floyd – Another Brick in the Wall – into their own song.
But instead of singing the original lyrics of the Floyd song, ‘Hey teacher, leave those kids alone,’ Vedder changed the words to: ‘Hey politicians, leave those girls alone.’
The commentary appeared to be a response to a rally in Brisbane earlier this month where hundreds gathered to maintain abortion rights ahead of the Queensland election.
Organisers of the Keep Abortion Legal rally said there was anger directed at the Liberal National Party over their stance on abortion.
Pearl Jam will play Marvel Stadium on Monday night, before heading to Sydne’s Olympic Park for two shows on November 21 and 23.