Rock band Pearl Jam has paid tribute to late Ramones singer Joey Ramone on a recording released exclusively to Pearl Jam fan club members.
A cover version of the pioneering punk band’s song “I Just Want To Have Something To Do” is one of four tracks featured on Pearl Jam’s annual 7-inch vinyl mailing.
Ramone died of cancer last April, aged 49. The cover is actually a solo acoustic performance by Pearl Jam bass player Jeff Ament.
“When Joey died this year, I sat down and played Ramones songs on my acoustic,” Ament said in his handwritten liner notes. “For the first time, I really felt the sadness and loneliness in Joey’s lyrics. This homemade recording is my love letter and thank you to Joey and the Ramones for giving me a push.”
The fan club single usually reaches members around Christmas. This year’s release was delayed by art-work clearance issues.
The flip side of the Ramones song is a cover of John Lennon’s “Gimme Some Truth,” recorded during Pearl Jam’s performance at the United Nations-backed GroundWork charity concert in Seattle Oct. 22.
The other single in the package features live versions of the Pearl Jam tunes “Last Soldier” and “Indifference,” recorded at Neil Young’s annual Bridge School benefit in Mountain View, Calif. Oct. 21. The latter track features Ben Harper on guest vocals.
Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder is reportedly contributing a song to a Ramones tribute album scheduled for a spring release via Columbia Records. Vedder also sings four tracks on former Crowded House frontman Neil Finn’s all-star live album “7 Worlds Collide,” scheduled for release Feb. 26.
