Last night, Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder appeared as part of the ceremony for the 90th annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Vedder performed a moving rendition of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tune “Room At The Top” as the soundtrack to the award show’s annual “In Memoriam” segment, honoring the figures in the world of film and television who passed away in the last year.
Vedder took the stage with a black Rickenbacker electric guitar and to sing the 1999 Petty ballad. He was backed by record producer Brendan O’Brien on keys and backing vocals, in addition to some orchestral accompaniment from the house band. You can watch Eddie Vedder cover Tom Petty for the 2018 Oscars “In Memoriam” segment below. For a full list of people honored in the “In Memoriam” segment, head here.
Eddie Vedder – “Room At The Top” (Tom Petty cover) – The Oscars 2018
[Video: ZwanMonster]
Eddie Vedder has previously paid tribute to Tom Petty in the months since his passing in late 2017. At a special private performance in San Francisco, Vedder played Petty’s old red telecaster for a run through The Heartbreakers’ classic hit, “I Won’t Back Down”.
The 2018 Oscar broadcast also featured a number of other musical performances, mainly highlighting the nominees in the “Best Original Song” category. Gael García Bernal, Natalia Lafourcade, and Miguel performed their song “Remember Me” from Coco (the eventual winner in the “Best Original Song” category), Mary J. Blige sang “Mighty River” from Mudbound, Andra Day and Common showcased “Stand Up For Something” from Marshall, Keala Settle welcomed large ensemble for a powerful version of “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman, and Sufjan Stevens played his Call Me By Your Name track, “Mystery of Love”.
Eddie Vedder will join Pearl Jam for a run of South American and European festival and stadium shows this spring, in addition to a trio of Brazilian solo shows at the end of March. Then, this summer and fall, Pearl Jam will host their “Home Shows” and “Away Shows“.