Legendary Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder paid tribute to Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau during a concert near the family’s New Jersey home in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Vedder, per a video posted by AP sports reporter Dan Gelston, gave his thoughts on the Gaudreau brothers between songs at the Wells Fargo Center.
“It came up about this tragic accident that happened with the Gaudreau brothers and I just wanted to say I lost my brother (Chris) five years ago in something that was very immediate and traumatic (a climbing accident),” Vedder said. “Jeff Ament (the band’s bassist) lost one of his great, great friends in a similar fashion.
“Chris (Chelios, a good friend of Vedder’s) told me what made it even more tragic is that they were such good men. So hearing they came from Philly and grew up watching games in this city, we thought we’d recognize them and wish their family and loved ones and teammates strength to get through. It’s a difficult time.
“This one’s for Johnny and Matt.”
Pearl Jam then went on to play Given to Fly.
Vedder also held up Johnny’s high-school jersey and Matthew’s ECHL jersey.
The brothers died last week when they were struck by a suspected drunk driver while riding bicycles on a rural road in Oldmans Township, N.J.
A memorial service for family and close friends of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau will take place on Monday in Media, Pa., the family announced.