Since 1996, rocker Eddie Vedder has appeared on the “Late Show with David Letterman” half a dozen times, as both a solo performer and as the frontman for Pearl Jam.
This week, in celebration of Letterman’s three decades in television drawing to a close, Vedder appeared on the Late Show stage to salute one of the most vital voices in comedy history.
With Paul Schaefer and the World’s Most Dangerous Band serving as his backup crew, Vedder launched into a powerful rendition of Pearl Jam’s 1996 hit, “Better Man.”
According to concert tracker Setlist.fm, Vedder had played the song almost 500 times with Pearl Jam. Despite having played the song on so many occasions, Vedder was able to add a renewed sweetness to the words during his Late Show appearance.
Given the occasion of the song’s appearance, the lyrics took on a whole new meaning, with Vedder serenading the soon-to-be departing Letterman.
As the song wound down to a close, Vedder could be heard yelling “Love you, Dave..Love you, Dave” into the microphone at the direction of Letterman.
