David Letterman is to step in for Neil Young to induct Pearl Jam into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The ‘Heart of Gold’ hitmaker has been forced to back out from his duty for the American rock band at the induction ceremony at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Friday (07.04.17), "due to illness", and the ‘Late Late Show’ host is to now do the honours.
In a statement, the Hall of Fame said: "Due to illness, Neil Young is regrettably no longer able to induct Pearl Jam at this Year’s Induction Ceremony.
"The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is thrilled that David Letterman has agreed to induct Pearl Jam this Friday night at the 32nd Annual Induction Ceremony."
The choice of Letterman is fitting as the ‘Better Man’ rockers – Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready, Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament and Matt Cameron – performed several times on his CBS show.
Frontman Eddie’s debut appearance came in February 1996, when Letterman performed the chorus of their hit ‘Black’.
The 69-year-old television personality joins inductors Snoop Dogg (Tupac Shakur), Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush (Yes), Jackson Browne (Joan Baez), Train’s Pat Monahan (Journey) and Dhani Harrison (ELO).
The group haven’t even been inducted yet, but there has already been drama surrounding their induction.
Former drummer David Abbruzzese – who played with the group from 1991 to 1994 – is furious that he is not part of the honour.
The rules have changed for year’s nominations in that only certain individual members of each band will be inducted.
For Eddie’s group, that means their current drummer Matt Cameron and first stickman Dave Krusen are listed, despite them having five drummers in the past including David.
During his time with the band, Pearl Jam released their second and third studio albums, ‘Vs.’ and ‘Vitalogy’.
As well as David, their former drummers Matt Chamberlin, who David replaced, and Jack Irons were not included in the Hall of Fame nominations profile either.
David Letterman to induct Pearl Jam into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
