Pearl Jam Bassist's Rock Hall Ceremony Shirt Pays Respect to Musicians Not Inducted
Pearl Jam's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was made memorable with an introduction by David Letterman, while bassist Jeff Ament's choice of attire made a statement. Ament -- and his shirt -- politely paid respect to nearly 100 musicians that have not yet been inducted into the Rock Hall, many of whom have inspired his band.
Dozens of artists and bands were named on Ament's shirt: the Cars, Nine Inch Nails, Pixies, Soundgarden, the Smiths, Nina Simone and many more, including those called out in the band's induction speech at Brooklyn's Barclays Center Friday night (April 7). Over the weekend, Pearl Jam posted a photo of it on Instagram with the caption "Jeff's RRHOF shirt." (On a side note, the shirt lists Tom Waits -- but as Vulture pointed out, he was actually inducted in 2011.)
"It’s an honor ... to be part of a club that includes so many of our heroes -- Neil [Young], the Clash, [Led] Zeppelin, the Stooges, Cheap Trick -- but the fact is that we were affected and infected by bands that aren’t here," he said during the band's humble induction speech. "So many important bands that made us want to pick up our guitars and write songs. Roxy Music, the Jam, Devo, X, Black Flag, Jane’s Addiction."
Check out a closeup shot of his shirt and watch Pearl Jam's full speech below.