Eddie Vedder described Pearl Jam’s 1995 Golden Gate Park concert as “the worst day of my life” after becoming too ill to continue performing. The incident is notable because it forced the band’s frontman off stage during a major show, leaving Neil Young to take over and underscoring the demanding conditions of touring.

Vedder had reportedly been treated in an emergency room before the concert and left after six songs, telling the crowd he had endured the worst 24 hours of his life. About 50,000 people attended the San Francisco performance, where Young played for roughly 90 minutes, mixing older material with newer songs; Vedder later recalled the show during a 2020 virtual fan event.