In a new interview on The Powell Movement, Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament was asked if the band have ever had to cancel shows due to members of the band having medical issues. Alternative Nation transcribed Ament’s comments.
He mentioned he has injured his back and muscles on stage, and that he tore ligaments mid show during a performance a few years ago in Boston, but was able to continue the tour.
“I think everybody in the band has had to deal with that. Mike [McCready] has Crohn’s, and he’s had to deal with actually pooping his pants. [Eddie Vedder]’s main instrument is his voice. If I had to go sing a show right now, I would have a hard time because the weather is changing and my throat feels funny.
He’s never canceled a show because of his throat, which is just a miracle. He knows all the tricks, and he knows how to deal with it. There’s red alert, orange alert, yellow alert, whatever. He knows what he needs to do to make it work.”
“There’s only been a couple of things that we’ve canceled over the years, it’s usually been weather related. One time super early on Ed got sick, and it was an MTV New Years Eve thing with Nirvana and Cypress Hill. But I think maybe him getting sick had more to do with it was this thing. He wasn’t letting anybody down really.”
