Pearl Jam.Photo: Pedro Becerra/Redferns/Getty
Pearl Jamgave one fan an unforgettable experience during a recent concert!
The fan in question — Roland Mandel — originally bought tickets in 2019 to see the Berlin, Germany date of the legendary American rock band’s 2020 tour, which was canceled due to COVID-19. Amid the pandemic, however, Mandel was diagnosed with ALS and could no longer use his standard ticket for the eventually rescheduled show, which took place on June 21.
Not only did they write a letter to the concert organizer and venue explaining his terminal illness and desire to see Pearl Jam before he dies, but they also started a social media campaign using the hashtag “#RVMforRoland” referring to Mandel’s favorite Pearl Jam song, “Rearviewmirror.”
Pedro Becerra/Redferns
With help from the venue and a lot of Twitter posts, Mandel was able to secure a side-stage seat at the Berlin concert.
Mandel isn’t the only Pearl Jam fan to appear onstage with the band as of late. After learning that drummer Matt Cameron tested positive for COVID-19, a local 18-year-old drummer named Kai Neukermans volunteered to join the band at the Oakland Arena for a May concert.
“Everybody, this is Kai; Kai, this is everybody!” Vedder introduced the high school student to the crowd from the clip the band posted onYouTube.
Neukermans of Mill Valley already plays for his band The Alive, consisting of his 14-year-old brother, who plays bass, and their friend Bastian Evans, 17, who helms the group’s guitar and vocals.
“You’re leading the band, brother,” Eddie said while handing off the responsibility to Neukermans in the video.
Neukermans later wowed the crowd with an explosive rendition of “Mind Your Manners” from the group’s 2013Lightning Boltalbum.
source: people.com
