Pearl Jam pays tribute to the Gaudreau brothers during concert: 'They were good men'

During Pearl Jam’ s Philadelphia concert close to the family home of late NHL players Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau over the weekend, frontman Eddie Vedder paid tribute to the brothers who died in a horrible traffic accident on August 29, a day before their sister Katie’s wedding.

Listen to Pearl Jam Radio , The Seattle Sound , and more on the free Audacy app

During their set at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center on Saturday night, September 7, Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder took some time to speak about the Gaudreau brothers’ passing at the end of August after being struck by a suspected drunk driver while bike riding on a rural New Jersey road.

"It came up about this tragic accident that happened with the Gaudreau brothers and I just wanted to say I lost my brother five years ago in something that was very immediate and traumatic," Vedder said referencing the climbing accident that took his brother Chris Mueller , while adding that bassist Jeff Ament also, “lost one of his great, great friends in a similar fashion.”

Vedder went on to explain how he was told by his close friend, former NHL star Chris Chelios , that “they were such good men,” which, to him, was “what made it even more tragic.” Vedder continued, saying after he had heard the brothers “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," he said before launching into “Given to Fly” off of 1998’s Yield .

A memorial service for the family and close friends of Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau takes place Monday, September 9.

Pearl Jam is currently on the road in support of their latest album Dark Matter and will be making a return to Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center Monday evening. Take a look at their full itinerary right here and grab your tickets now .