I've been listening to a lot of Dylan recently, and yesterday I listened to the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary Concert album that features, among many other extraordinary performances, Ed and Mike's rendition of "Masters Of War".

I was thinking that for a group that had one album and had been in existence for barely two years, being asked to perform at this show with legends like Dylan, Clapton, Neil Young, George Harrison, Tom Petty, and all the others was an incredible honor, and an incredible break. I imagine it is when Ed and Neil Young first met, and it really laid the foundation for Pearl Jam's place as the new standard bearers for the rock and roll old guard.

Does anyone know any of the facts behind how Ed and Mike came to perform at this show? Who asked them, or suggested them? How was "Masters Of War" chosen as the song they'd perform? Any actual solid information would be appreciated, I can speculate myself with the best of them.

Don't know the history, but I've always thought the same thing - kind of like the Daltrey benefit perfomances in 94, but even to a greater extent at Dylan's tribute. Good story for twofeetthick, perhaps?

I was thumbing through 5h and although its not "Masters of War", this is how "Crazy Mary" came about.

From Rockline-

Caller: They're a good band. I had a question about another one of your favorite people, I think, and certainly a favorite songwriter of mine—Victoria Williams.

Eddie: He'll probably want a mask now, too! (laughter)

Caller: Oh, great … thanks a lot. How did it come about for Pearl Jam to be involved with the Sweet Relief project and how did you choose 'Crazy Mary?' Great song.

Eddie: The song was picked out for us. Lou Reed is married and his wife gave us the tape and suggested that song which I thought was, umm … we had seen her. As soon as I turned on the tape, I remember I was on an airplane I think I was coming back from that Bob Dylan fest and as soon as I heard her voice, I knew we had just seen her so to hear that she was stricken with Multiple Sclerosis and her life was in the balance, etc., I don't know. Those are one of the moments you stop taking for granted that fact that you are living and have the use of all your limbs, etc., etc. Something that no one should take for granted and if all we had to do was record a song to help her out—record a great song—then I think we'll do that.

Host: Thank you very much...

[url]http://www.fivehorizons.com/archive/articles/rockline.shtml[img][/img][/url]

GE Smith (from SNL) was also playing that Masters of War version with Mike and Ed.

Mark Arm did Masters Of War for the Sub Pop Singles Club 7"

before pearl jam started playing it

I'm sure lots of people played it before Mark Arm too. What's your point?

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=am ... =17:957380

See Mark Arm ain't got shit on Jose Feliciano.

and dont forget the doors induction to the rock and roll hall of fame, how come they choose eddie vedder?

I agree fully.

I would imagine there performance suited alot of people.

A more youthful interpretation of Dylan, younger TV audience, contrast to older established stars, PJ were hot shit at the time, Vedder's voice,....................

In listening to this album, I was struck with how diverse a set of performers they had. Many women (Tracy Chapman, Chrissy Hynde, Shawn Colvin, etc...), many black performers (Stevie Wonder, Richie Havens, The O'Jays), country music, rock music, folk music, soul music, but there were remarkably few YOUNG performers. The only person the same age as Ed and Mike, or even within 10 years of their age, was Sinead O'Connor, and well, we know what happened to her.

So I have to figure that the producers knew they needed some young faces, but why Pearl Jam?

Back in '93 Pearl Jam was pretty hot shit. Why not?

Kurt Cobain was unavailable?

seriously though, could you see kurt cobain coming close to the performance ed gave?

does anyone know who organized the event?

for some reason i dont see cobain as a dylan fan, he may have been offered and turned it down

Nirvana was never really an acoustic band and never had many acoustic songs. Pearl Jam was far more acoustic than Nirvana, and we're talking about covering Bob Dylan songs here. The guy who thought the electric guitar was the enemy.
But I'm not sure if we will actually find out for sure why Ed was chosen besides just speculation.

Because Scott Stapp wasn't available.

This concert was recorded in October 1992. This was really early on. For all anyone knew, they were just another flash-in-the-pan grunge band at that point.

hmmm...what flash in the pan bands had sold even half the records pj had at that point? I see what you are saying, but in terms of taking a chance they were probably easily the best bet around.