Why is the number "23" used so often? by Kathy Davis February 23, 2007
The movie The Number 23, starring Jim Carrey and Virginia Madsen, opens in theaters in the U.S. on February 23. We wouldn't arbitrarily plug a movie, but this movie's title does lead to an interesting conversation on Pearl Jam numerology.
A recurring theme for Eddie Vedder is the number 23. In the movie "The Number 23", the main character becomes obsessed with the number. Maybe "obsessed" is too strong a word, but Eddie definitely has a "fondness" for the number 23 for many reasons. Let's inspect.
They say it's your birthday! Ed was born on December 23, 1964. Ed has never played a concert with Pearl Jam on his birthday. Notable events on December 23:
1888, Vincent Van Gogh cuts off left ear 1943, Harry Shearer born (Spinal Tap, voice of Simpsons characters) 1949, Adrian Belew of King Crimson born 1954, The first human kidney transplant performed 1958, Singer-songwriter Victoria Williams (writer of popular PJ cover song Crazy Mary) born Fictitious Seinfeld holiday "Festivus" celebrated
Pick a number Ed's recent black guitar picks feature the number 23 printed on them
Number 23 is Number 1 Ed's "hometown" basketball hero is probably the greatest basketball player of all time, the Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan, who wore jersey number 23. Ed can be seen wearing a Bulls' 23 Jordan jersey in the video for "Alive"
Ed also pays homage to Jordan en español in "Black, Red, Yellow" with the line "Black magic viente y tres" meaning "Black magic #23". Read article.
'Got tickets for the 23rd Pearl Jam have played on the 23rd of the month well over 23 times
08/23/91 - Seattle, WA Mural Amphitheatre 10/23/91 - East Landing, MI 04/23/92 - Miami Cameo Theatre 08/23/92 - Orlando, FL 01/23/93 - Hollywood,CA Rock for Choice (ed solo) 11/23/93 - Oklahoma City, OK 02/23/94 - New York, NY Carnegie Hall (ed Solo) 08/23/95 - Caesaria, Israel-(NeilJam show) 06/23/98 - Englewood, CO 08/23/98 - Auburn Hill, MI 09/23/98 - West Palm Beach, FL 05/23/00 - Lisbon, Portugal 06/23/00 - Zurich, Switzerland 08/23/00 - Jones Beach, (Wantaugh) NY 09/23/00 - Seattle, WA (Ed- Nader Rally) 10/23/01 - Seattle, WA (Ed w/REM @ The Croc) 09/23/02 - Chicago, IL (Marysville Academy Benefit) 02/23/03 - Perth, Australia 04/23/03 - Chicago, IL 10/23/04 - Mountain View, CA (Ed solo Bridge School) 11/23/05 - Santiago, Chile 06/23/06 - Pittsburgh, PA 07/23/06 - George, WA 08/23/06 - Dublin, Ireland 09/23/06 - Berlin, Germany 06/23/07 - Neuhausn ob Eck, Germany (Southside Festival)
Separated at birth Ed and Adam Sandler converse about numbers at the April 16, 1994 Saturday Night Live Rehearsal
Ed: "What date where you born?"
Adam: "9-9-66. But my family's always been ... 23, my Dad gambles with 23, he, uh ... Everything's 2 or 3. Like he buys 2 things or 3 things at a store. He's sick with it. And I'm like it too, now I am... I knock 2 or 3 times. Eddie, where have you seen 23 lately?"
Ed: (pointing off to the right) There's a thing right back over there it says "23" (unintelligible). Orange juice on the plane today - expiration date May 23rd."
Know Code The numbers 2 & 3 are printed in red around the center circle of the No Code CD artwork. All the other numbers are in black
Untitled "Untitled" - the pre-"MFC" improv staple of the 2000 tour, often featured a reference to the number: "I could be there (or "I could pick you up") in 23 minutes or so".
Location, location, location The Tropic of Capricorn (Ed's astrological sign) is 23.5 degrees latitude north of the equator. The Tropic of Cancer (Stone's astrological sign) is 23.5 degrees latitude south of the equator.
_________________ "Though some may think there should be a separation between art/music and politics, it should be reinforced that art can be a form of nonviolent protest." - e.v.
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:19 pm Posts: 39068 Location: Chapel Hill, NC, USA Gender: Male
flavdave wrote:
The movie fucking sucked ass.
*fell over with shock*
_________________ "Though some may think there should be a separation between art/music and politics, it should be reinforced that art can be a form of nonviolent protest." - e.v.
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 6:41 am Posts: 5867 Location: Providence, RI Gender: Male
Quote:
Untitled "Untitled" - the pre-"MFC" improv staple of the 2000 tour, often featured a reference to the number: "I could be there (or "I could pick you up") in 23 minutes or so".
I just assumed this was another Jordan reference; I base this solely on the fact that in Boston 2000, the lyrics was "33 minutes or so," and I took that as a reference to Larry Legend.
_________________ "I wish that I believed in fate / I wish I didn't sleep so late"
"The real truth about it is: no one gets it right / The real truth about it is: we’re all supposed to try"
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum
*fell over with shock* 
