Pearl Jam pays tribute to Taylor Hawkins during first show of US tour

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Pearl Jam paid tribute to late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins during their concert in San Diego Tuesday.

As noted by SPIN and captured in fan-shot footage posted to YouTube, frontman Eddie Vedder took a moment to honor Hawkins before performing the song “Quick Escape,” specifically mentioning Hawkins’ friendship with PJ drummer Matt Cameron.

“[Hawkins] emitted something very incredible and very special,” Vedder said. “We’re all missing him.”

Turning back toward Cameron, Vedder continued, “Matt, I’m sorry again for your loss. But it just gives us another chance to say how much we appreciate you, as well.”

Hawkins died unexpectedly on March 25 at age 50, after which Foo Fighters canceled all of their tour dates. Members of the Foos were reportedly in attendance when Red Hot Chili Peppers performed in their place last weekend at the New Orleans Jazz Fest.

Pearl Jam’s San Diego show marked their first show since Hawkins’ passing, and the band’s first stop on their long-delayed U.S. tour, which was originally scheduled for 2020 before getting postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The outing will continue Friday in Los Angeles.

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