Metallica and Pearl Jam fans are buzzing after Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament joined the iconic rock band for an electrifying performance of their classic "Hit The Lights." This collaboration highlighted the strong ties shared between the two renowned groups and marks another significant moment for music lovers.
The evening unfolded at the organization’s fundraising event on December 8, with Ament adding his flair to the Metallica set, which featured acoustic rarities and performances from various guest artists. Following Ament's entrance, the event included special appearances by SistaStrings and musicians Avi Vinocur and Henry Salvia, who collectively revived classics never seen since the late '90s. The crowd was treated to the first live rendition of "Low Man’s Lyric" since 1998, alongside the long-awaited cover of Diamond Head’s "Helpless" from 2018 and the live debut of "Away From Home" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive.
The event enjoyed comedic relief as comedian Jimmy Kimmel served as the host, guiding the evening’s performances to fantastic heights. Metallica didn't shy away from the classics either, reviving "The Unforgiven II" for the first time since 2015, before capping the second set with one of their most revered tracks, "Master of Puppets." Notably, the entire show is set to premiere on YouTube on December 19, allowing fans worldwide to enjoy this unique collaboration.
The concert's proceeds will benefit Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation, which aims to "assist and enrich the lives of members of the communities who have supported the band for years." Founded to support various charitable endeavors, the foundation enriches local community initiatives, fostering goodwill among fans and the broader community demonstrably connected to Metallica.
Fans of Pearl Jam also had their moment to shine as the crossover of their beloved indie-rock aesthetic with professional wrestling emerged early this month. At Chicago’s Concord Music Hall, Steven Flowe, the grunge-inspired wrestler, turned heads during the SuperWrestlers: Unleashed event. Summoning the spirit of ’90s rock, Flowe channeled frontman Eddie Vedder’s iconic style, donning two plaid shirts and clutching a guitar as he made his entrance to the ring.
Rather humorously, Flowe’s entrance music was pegged as a parody of Pearl Jam’s iconic "Even Flow," with his name prominently repeated throughout the track, earning raucous cheers from the crowd. Fans responded positively on social media, praising the musical gimmick and imagining what Flowe’s finishing move might be named, solidifying the connection between music and wrestling even more strongly.
Despite the jovial theatrics of the event, wrestling and music have maintained long-standing ties. Much of the year has seen musicians crossover to wrestling, including instances such as Chappell Roan debuting her Lucha Libre-inspired outfit at Lollapalooza 2024 and legendary WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels welcoming hip-hop titans Kendrick Lamar and Drake to the ring—a move bonding the worlds of entertainment together.
Earlier this year, TNA wrestler Joe Hendry even made headlines for his uplifting theme song "I Believe in Joe Hendry," which created excitement among wrestling fans who sought to propel it to the top of the UK Singles download chart. The campaign went viral, contrasting their ambitions against mainstream artists like Taylor Swift, achieving remarkable success unbeknownst to the wrestling community until now.
Coinciding with Pearl Jam’s latest endeavor, the band is gearing up for their 2025 US tour to support their upcoming album, "Dark Matter." This anticipated tour marks another exciting chapter for the band and their devoted followers, who are eagerly awaiting new music paired with live performances.
Both collaborations highlight the vibrant interplay between music and other entertainment mediums, showcasing how shared passions merge to create unforgettable experiences.
