Eddie Vedder busks on Grafton Street for Glen Hansard
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Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder has paid tribute to his late friend Glen Hansard by busking in Hansard's old spot on Dublin's Grafton Street, shortly after attending his funeral at St Patrick's Cathedral. Hansard, frontman of The Frames and one half of The Swell Season, died in a motorcycle crash last month aged 56, having begun his own busking career on the same street at just 13 years old.
During the impromptu street performance, held with local musicians and surrounded by Hansard's family and friends, Vedder played Pearl Jam's 'Black' and Bruce Springsteen's 'Drive All Night' on Hansard's own guitar, with footage shared widely on social media. Vedder had earlier performed at the funeral alongside Markéta Irglová and members of The Frames, while U2's Bono delivered a spoken-word rendition of 'Beautiful Day'. The pair's friendship, which spanned over 15 years, began after Vedder repeatedly called Hansard to offer support following a fan's on-stage suicide during a Frames show, later inviting him to record a cover of The Everly Brothers' 'Sleepless Nights' together.
- Vedder busked at Hansard's old Dublin spot after his funeral
- Hansard, of The Frames, died in a motorcycle crash aged 56
- Vedder and Bono also paid tribute during the funeral service
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Eddie Vedder, the American singer best known as the frontman of the rock band Pearl Jam, has been paying tribute in Dublin to Glen Hansard, the Irish musician who fronted the band The Frames and formed one half of the duo The Swell Season. Hansard died last month, aged 56, in a motorcycle crash, and had originally launched his career as a teenage busker on Dublin's Grafton Street.
Vedder and Hansard had been close friends for more than 15 years, a relationship that grew after Vedder reached out to support Hansard following a difficult incident on stage during one of his tours. Other well-known musicians connected to the story include Markéta Irglová, Hansard's musical partner in The Swell Season, and U2's Bono, both of whom took part in tribute events after his death.
The wider significance lies in Hansard's standing as a much-loved figure in Irish music, having started out busking before achieving wider recognition, including through the film "Once". Vedder's decision to perform in Hansard's old busking spot reflects the close bond between the two musicians and Grafton Street's symbolic place in Hansard's career.
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Originally published by NME as “Eddie Vedder pays tribute to friend Glen Hansard by busking in his spot in Dublin city centre”.