Chris Chelios Learns Of Blackhawks Honor At Pearl Jam Concert

Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder emerged for the encore last night at Chicago’s United Center with close friend and Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Chelios. Vedder revealed Chelios’ No. 7 will be retired by the Chicago Blackhawks during a ceremony to be held at the United Center on February 25, 2024 when the team takes on the Detroit Red Wings.

The singer and the hockey star first discussed the recent passing of longtime Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz, who died on July 25 at age 70. Chelios led the capacity crowd in chants of “Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!” Vedder then surprised Chelios with the news of the upcoming honor.

“The band and I are deeply honored to be the ones who get to tell you in front of all these fine people that before Mr. Wirtz passed it was one of his last wishes that you would be honored,” Vedder said before a video played displaying scenes from the defenseman’s career. The clip ended with an image of a banner with Chelios’ name and number on it. “Cheli! Cheli! Cheli!,” Eddie yelled as Chris Chelios walked off the stage.

Watch Eddie Vedder tell Chris Chelios about the upcoming tribute below:

Pearl Jam’s concert in Chicago was their second of two shows at the United Center as part of their current U.S. tour. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers treated fans to 24 songs last night including eight of the 11 tracks from their debut studio album, 1991’s Ten. A handful of tour debuts were trotted out over the course of the evening. Both “Tremor Christ” and “Green Disease” saw action for the first time since 2018, while “Marker In The Sand” was played after over seven years on the shelf.

After Vedder surprised Chris Chelios, last night’s encore began with the pairing of “Given To Fly” and “Once.” Pearl Jam then played “Smile” at the back of the stage for those sitting behind them. Next, “Garden” and “Alive” were split by a cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Street Fighting Man” before Thursday’s show ended with a take on The Who’s “Baba O’Riley” and frequent closer “Yellow Ledbetter.”

Pearl Jam now heads to the Noblesville, Indiana venue formerly known as Deer Creek to continue the tour this Sunday, September 10.

Setlist (via PearlJam.com)

Set: Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town, Daughter, Come Back, Present Tense, Why Go, Who Ever Said, Seven O’Clock, Tremor Christ, Even Flow, Green Disease, Immortality, Marker In The Sand, Deep, Black, Lukin, Porch

Encore: Given To Fly, Once, Smile, Garden, Street Fighting Man, Alive, Baba O’Riley, Yellow Ledbetter