5 Ways Eddie Vedder Keeps Tom Petty’s Spirit Alive, Including A New Studio Cover

The enduring connection between Eddie Vedder and Tom Petty is one of rock’s most heartfelt and influential mentorships, a bond that transcended generations and genres. As of December 14, 2025, this musical lineage has been powerfully renewed with the release of Vedder’s latest studio recording, a cover of the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers track, "Room at the Top."

This new cover is not just a tribute; it’s a fresh, official studio release, breathing new life into a classic for the soundtrack of the upcoming Apple TV+ series Bad Monkey. It serves as the clearest evidence that the Pearl Jam frontman has taken on the mantle of "elder rock statesman," a role once held by his late hero, Tom Petty. Their shared history is rich with spontaneous collaborations, tearful tributes, and a mutual respect that continues to shape the sound of American rock and roll.

The Rock & Roll Lineage: A Dual Profile of Eddie Vedder and Tom Petty

The relationship between Eddie Vedder and Tom Petty is a classic rock story of the torch being passed from one icon to the next. Vedder, the voice of grunge, found a profound influence in Petty, the quintessential American rock songwriter. Understanding their individual legacies highlights the weight of their connection.

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Eddie Vedder

• Full Name: Edward Louis Severson III
• Born: December 23, 1964, Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
• Primary Band: Pearl Jam (1990–present)
• Signature Style: Powerful baritone, intensely personal and often political lyrics, known for his raw, emotional stage presence and activism.
• Key Collaborations: Temple of the Dog, Neil Young, Roger Waters, The Who.

Tom Petty

• Full Name: Thomas Earl Petty
• Born: October 20, 1950, Gainesville, Florida, U.S.
• Died: October 2, 2017, Santa Monica, California, U.S.
• Primary Band: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1976–2017)
• Signature Style: Straight-ahead, jangle-pop influenced American rock, characterized by simple, honest songwriting and a distinctively nasal vocal delivery.
• Key Collaborations: The Traveling Wilburys (with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, and Roy Orbison), Stevie Nicks.

The Latest Studio Tribute: "Room at the Top" Cover for Bad Monkey

The most current and significant event cementing Vedder’s role as Petty’s musical successor is his studio recording of "Room at the Top."

The song, originally released on Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ 1999 album Echo, is a deeply melancholic and introspective track. Vedder’s cover is featured prominently on the soundtrack for the Apple TV+ series Bad Monkey, starring Vince Vaughn.

What makes this cover unique is the caliber of the musicians Vedder brought in. The recording session was an all-star affair, featuring Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench, who played on the original track. This inclusion is a powerful nod to the source material, ensuring the Petty sound remains authentic while Vedder’s voice adds a new layer of gravelly emotion.

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Further bolstering the track's rock pedigree, the recording also featured AC/DC bassist Chris Chaney, demonstrating Vedder’s commitment to making this more than just an acoustic rendition. This carefully crafted studio version stands as a major, high-profile tribute, elevating the song’s status for a new generation of listeners.

Spontaneous Live Collaborations and Shared Stages

The mutual respect between the two musicians was best captured in their spontaneous live appearances. These moments were not planned as grand tours but rather as genuine, rock-and-roll crossovers when their paths aligned.

The Amsterdam Surprise: "The Waiting" and "American Girl"

One of the most memorable collaborations occurred in 2012 at the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam. When Pearl Jam’s tour crossed paths with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ European run, Vedder made a surprise appearance. He joined Petty on stage to perform two of Petty's most iconic tracks: "The Waiting" and "American Girl."

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Footage from this night clearly shows Vedder's sheer delight and elation at sharing the stage with his hero, underscoring his genuine fan status.

The Deepest Cut: "Room At The Top" with Mike Campbell

Vedder has also performed Petty's songs with The Heartbreakers’ lead guitarist, Mike Campbell. In a powerful moment, Vedder and Campbell performed "Room At The Top" in a live setting, an early precursor to the recent studio recording.

He also joined Campbell and Stevie Nicks for a performance, further integrating himself into the Heartbreakers' inner circle and solidifying his role as a trusted custodian of Petty's catalog.

The Consistent Tradition of Live Tributes

Since Tom Petty's passing in 2017, Vedder has consistently honored his legacy through live performances, making Petty covers a staple of his solo and Pearl Jam sets. This tradition ensures that Petty’s songs continue to resonate with a massive, contemporary rock audience.

"I Won't Back Down" as an Anthem of Resilience

Vedder frequently uses Petty’s classic "I Won't Back Down" as a powerful solo encore starter. He performed it at a Pearl Jam show at Wrigley Field in August 2024, often speaking to the crowd about the song's enduring power and relevance.

This track, in particular, has become a rallying cry for Vedder, a way to channel the spirit of resilience that Petty embodied. He delivered an emotional rendition in Philadelphia in September 2024, showcasing the song's timeless message.

Honoring the Legacy of Wildflowers

At the Ohana Festival, a festival founded by Vedder himself, he performed a touching tribute with Petty's song "Wildflowers." Vedder has often spoken about the profound influence of Petty’s songwriting, and performing the title track from Petty’s most beloved solo album is a deeply personal acknowledgment of that debt.

The "Passing of the Torch" Anecdotes

Beyond the music, the personal stories reveal the depth of their relationship. Vedder has openly shared anecdotes that paint Petty as a generous mentor and a down-to-earth hero.

The Phone Call That Meant Everything

Vedder once emotionally recalled a phone call he received from Tom Petty. This personal connection, shared during a tribute video, highlighted the tremendous respect Petty had for Vedder, moving the Pearl Jam singer to tears.

The Superfan Moment

Vedder’s admiration began long before their collaborations. He famously recounted his excitement for the song "The Waiting," detailing how he waited in line on the day the album was released, bought it immediately, and learned the song that very night. This story is a beautiful reminder that even rock legends start as passionate fans.

Today, many in the music industry view Eddie Vedder as having inherited the "super chill, impossible to dislike, elder rock statesman" status that belonged to Tom Petty, a natural passing of the torch that continues to enrich rock and roll.