The Day Sir Paul McCartney Punched Eddie Vedder In The Face
No, it’s not folklore, this happened in rock and roll history. Paul McCartney is known for writing a great music hook, but he’s also connected to hitting Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder.
The pair were chatting at a hotel bar in Eddie Vedder’s hometown of Seattle. Paul McCartney was telling a tale of each moment when his forceful jab turned out to be less of a demonstration and more so the real punch. Paul McCartney ended up re-enacting the punch, full force, on Eddie Vedder. Eddie had a busted lip and tasted blood. Kind of like the Beatle’s song, “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer,” came down on Eddie’s face. Eddie explains in his own words how he got punched:
Eddie Vedder
Paul McCartney tells the stories of the Beatle’s cavern days and scuffs while playing in Germany with his pal John Lennon. I’m sure there was a scrum or two during the Fab Four days. I wonder if MMA cage fights would have rockers settle their beef with each other in the ring. Who wouldn’t pay to see a fight club of David Lee Roth going up against Gene Simmons, Roger Waters vs. David Gilmour, Lindsey Buckingham vs. Stevie Nicks, and Cory Taylor vs everyone? Till that time, we can just enjoy our favorite artists, “Belting,” out our favorite tunes.
34 Rockin' June Birthdays
June 1st - Jim McCarty
Detroit native, James William McCarty was born on June 1st, 1945 in Detroit. Jim McCarty was the guitarist for Mitch Ryder And The Detroit Wheels.
4th August 1966: The English psychedelic blues band the Yardbirds, (from left) Jim McCarty, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Chris Dreja and lead singer Keith Relf. (Photo by George Stroud/Express/Getty Images)
June 1st - Ronnie Wood
Ronnie Wood, born Ronald Davis Wood on June 1st, 1947 in Hillingdon, England, was made an official Rolling Stone guitarist on April 23rd, 1976. He has been a staple of the Stones ever since.
British singer Mick Jagger and British guitarist Ronnie Wood as The Rolling Stones perform at Earls Court, as part of their Tour of Europe ’76, London, England, May 1976. (Photo by John Minihan/Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
June 2nd - Charlie Watts
Another Rolling Stones birthday! This time the amazing Charlie Watts, drummer for the Rolling Stones. Charlie Robert Watts was born on June 2nd, 1941 in Bloomsbury, London. Charlie Watts, unfortunately, passed away at the age of 80 in 2021. He is also featured in our Best Drummers of All Time article.
Drummer Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones, at a British concert and sporting a new David Bowie style feather cut. (Photo by Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
June 3rd - Suzi Quatro
Suzi Quatro, was born Susan Kay Quatro on June 3rd, 1950 in Detroit. So many June Detroit Rock B-days. Suzi Quatro sold over 50 million records world-wide. She had more success overseas than in the States.
American singer-songwriter and musician Suzi Quatro poses with a stuffed leopard, UK, August 1973. (Photo by Kaye/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
June 8th - Boz Scaggs
William Royce “Boz” Scaggs was born on June 8th, 1944 in Canton, Ohio. Other than having one of the coolest names, Boz Scaggs, played in the Steve Miller Band. His best hits were “Lido Shuffle” and “Lowdown”.
MONTREAL, CANADA – JUNE 30: Boz Scaggs performs during day three of 2013 Festival International de Jazz de Montreal on June 30, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Raffi Kirdi/Getty Images)
June 9th - Jon Lord
Co-founder of the band Deep Purple, John Douglas Lord was born on June 9th, 1941 in Leicester, England. Jon Lord mainly played keyboards and composed.
Keyboard player Jon Lord of newly-formed rock band Deep Purple, 1969. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
June 12th - Bun E. Carlos
Bun E. Carlos, born Brad M. Carlson, was the original drummer for Cheap Trick. His birthday is June 12th, 1950.
IRVINE, CA – AUGUST 19: Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick performs at Jack’s First Show at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine, California on August 19, 2006. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images)
June 14th - Alan White
Alan White spent 50 years drumming for YES. He was born on June 14th, 1949, in Pelton, County Durham, England. He passed away last year, in May 2022.
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 09: Alan White from Yes performs at Radio City Music Hall on July 9, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)
June 17th - Gregg Rolie
Gregg Rolie, born Gregg Alan Rolie on June 17th, 1947 in Seattle, Washington was the lead singer on both Journey and Santana. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.
LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 13: Keyboardist Gregg Rolie performs with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts on November 13, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
June 20th - Michael Anthony
Michael Anthony Sobolewski was born on June 20th, 1954 in Chicago, Illinois. Michael Anthony was bassist and backup vocals for Van Halen from 1974 to 2006.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 07: (L-R) Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar of Sammy Hagar and the Circle perform at Ak-Chin Pavilion on September 07, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
June 21st - Joey Molland
Joseph Charles Molland was born on June 21st, 1947 in Edge Hill, Liverpool. Molland found the most success with the band Badfinger.
Portrait of musician Joey Molland, of the band ‘Gary Walker and the Rain’, circa 1967. (Photo by Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Getty Images)
June 25th - Clint Warwick
Clint Warwick aka Albert Eccles, was born on June 25th, 1940. Clint Warwick was the bassist in the band The Moody Blues.
English rock band the Moody Blues prepare to release five birds into their air, UK, 3rd September 1964. From left to right, Graeme Edge, Ray Thomas, Clint Warwick, Denny Laine, Mike Pinder. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
June 25th - David Paich
You can’t have Toto without David Paich! Born on June 25th, 1954 in Los Angeles, California. He is the co-founder and main songwriter for Toto since 1977.
ANAHEIM, CA – JANUARY 22: Keyboardist David Paich performs on stage during day 2 of the 2016 NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention Center on January 22, 2016 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAMM)
June 30th - Hal Lindes
Hal Andrew Lindes was born on June 30th, 1953 in Monterey, California. He is a film score composer and was the guitarist of Dire Straits. He was a member of Dire Straits from 1980 to 1985.
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 17: Musician and BAFTA member Hal Lindes attends the BAFTA Brits to Watch: The Screening of Burton and Taylor With Richard Laxton at WME Screening Room on October 17, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Buchan/Getty Images for BAFTA LA)
