Watch Pearl Jam Honor Chicago Cubs with David Bowie’s ‘Rebel Rebel’ at Wrigley Field
Pearl Jam paid tribute to the Chicago Cubs with a cover of David Bowie's "Rebel Rebel" during the band's concert at Wrigley Field Saturday night (Aug. 18). The performance of the song was prefaced by a monologue by frontman Eddie Vedder, a longtime devotee of the baseball team, where he honored the 2016 World Series win by the organization.
"What an incredible group of guys," the singer says in the video which can be viewed above. "I can name every position, I can name every, like, second...they're all the best guys. I'm not gonna go on and on because there is a curfew, but I do want to thank one person in particular tonight. I'm so grateful to know him as a friend, and he's been so generous to myself and my family, and he's been generous to this band."
Vedder then brought out Cubs co-owner Tom Ricketts who had the World Series trophy in tow under a blanket. "The last time we played, there's been some changes," Vedder says before unveiling the trophy. "And this is one of them - this is my favorite change Tom."
The frontman then directed the audience to look to the video screens to relive a historic moment from the previous weekend (Aug. 12) when Cubs pinch hitter and third baseman rookie David Bote hit a walk off grand slam at Wrigley Field. The team was trailing the Washington Nationals when he accomplished the feat. "David Bote" sounds a bit like "David Bowie," which is how the song choice was made.
Pearl Jam are in the midst of their "Home and Away" shows, with the second night at Wrigley Field taking place tonight (Aug. 20). The band will wrap up the mini-tour with two shows at Boston's Fenway Park on Sept. 2 and 4.
10 Best Pearl Jam Songs
Pearl Jam Albums Ranked