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Picture: JESSE MARLOW
Better man: Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder performing at Rod Laver
Arena on Tuesday night.

PEARL JAM
Rod Laver Arena, February 18
Michael Dwyer



Pearl Jam's first eventful trip to Melbourne was eight years ago. As
thousands trashed the seats of this same venue, and when thousands
more razed the fences of the Myer Music Bowl two nights later, the
chant from the throng was the same: "Eddie, Eddie, Eddie...".

On the first of three nights at Rod Laver Arena this week, the chant
had changed to "Pearl Jam, Pearl Jam...". With the Seattle rockers'
descent from the pinnacle of pop fashion, the cult of personality
surrounding singer Eddie Vedder has settled somewhat.

Bonded by monumental misfortune - nine fans crushed to death in
Denmark in 2000 - and doubtless the sheer thrill of endurance against
huge odds, the band's extraordinary power and commitment as a live
act have rocketed off the scale.

No longer default flag-bearers of grunge vogue, Pearl Jam today are
simply one of the world's great rock'n'roll bands.