Eddie Vedder + Natalie Maines Mark Anniversary of West Memphis 3 Release With ‘Golden State’

Today marks the anniversary of something that many thought might never come. On Aug. 19, 2011, the three men known as “The West Memphis 3″ were finally freed from jail after serving 17 years behind bars for the murder of three young boys.

Over the years, the stories of Jessie Misskelley, Charles Baldwin, and Damien Echols were told in the ‘Paradise Lost’ documentary series, with many feeling they were wrongly convicted and not provided a fair trial. A number of musicians and celebrities started championing the cause to get their case heard again, and finally, last year, they were granted a new trial and freed.

Pearl Jam‘s Eddie Vedder was one of many who supported the West Memphis 3 over the years, and in celebration of the occasion he took to the stage with the Dixie Chicks‘ Natalie Maines to record a duet of the John Doe song, ‘Golden State.’

To mark the one year anniversary, that duet is currently available for download today on iTunes and at Pearl Jam’s website, but you can also hear a stream of it at Rolling Stone’s website. Proceeds will benefit the West Memphis 3 Freedom Fund.

In addition, iTunes is also offering pre-orders for Damien Echols’ upcoming book, ‘Life After Death,’ which chronicles his 18 years of wrongful imprisonment. Place your orders here.