Ongoing History of New Music

Ongoing History Daily: Eddie Vedder’s dad

Pearl Jam fans know the story behind the song “Alive.” It’s based on Eddie Vedder’s realization that the man he thought was his father was actually his stepfather and his biological father had died many years earlier.

Eddie always wanted to know more about his real dad, who was an amateur musician named Edward Severson. Through some connections with some other musicians, Eddie found some of dad’s musical work, featuring him singing. He was a little afraid of listening to those songs, but when he finally did, he found that dad was actually a pretty good singer.

Some of those bits of his singing were cut up into a collage and appeared on a song called “On My Way,” which is the last song on Eddie’s 2022 solo album, Earthling.

Friday’s post involved some interesting pub trivia.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 39147 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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