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Pearl's singer in a jam - Daily Telegraph
February 12, 2003

SYDNEY - Pearl Jam fans beware: frontman Eddie Vedder may currently be a little sketchy with his lyrics.
The rock icon forgot the words to the band's recent single at one of their Brisbane concerts, something which doesn't surprise guitarist Stone Gossard.

Speaking at the sound-check before the band's sold-out Entertainment Centre gig last night, Gossard said he was amazed it doesn't happen more often.

"He amazes me in his ability to remember as many lyrics as he does," he said. "We have about 60 songs and a lot of the lyrics he didn't write."

"His ability to recall is pretty outstanding (but) first night out he might have blanked on a couple of lines."

Although they no longer sell millions of records, the band's three sold-out gigs at the Entertainment Centre this week attest they still command legions of fans.

"It's weird. We talk about that and it's sort of one of those apparitions you don't necessarily understand," Gossard said. "But you can see it happening with other bands ... legendary bands like the Rolling Stones.

"When they put records out, sometimes they sell but it's mostly about people wanting to come and see the band."

Gossard said he finds it heartening so many Australian fans have bought tickets to their shows despite the dwindling record sales.

"The live performance is a big part I guess of what people are excited about with us.

"It's cool. I'm glad that we're able to still >go out and tour and have people get excited about it."

The Daily Telegraph