Eddie Vedder and Stephen Wilson Jr. have brought a Seattle rock classic back into the spotlight with the official release of their live performance of “Hunger Strike,” recorded at the 2026 Ohana Festival in Dana Point, California.
The collaboration took place in September when Vedder made an unexpected appearance during Wilson Jr.’s festival set. The Pearl Jam frontman had performed with Eddie Vedder and Friends on the festival’s opening night but returned the following evening to join the rising country-rock artist for a song with deep roots in his musical history.
Their performance revisited the 1991 Temple of the Dog single that originally paired Vedder with Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell. The newly released professional video captures the two singers sharing the stage, bringing renewed attention to one of the most recognizable songs from Seattle’s early 1990s rock movement.
For Wilson Jr., the opportunity represented a memorable collaboration with one of the artists connected to the song’s original recording. His reaction at the conclusion of the performance reflected the excitement of the moment.
“Hunger Strike” holds a special place in rock history. The song appeared on Temple of the Dog’s self-titled album, which grew out of Cornell’s desire to honor his friend and former roommate Andrew Wood, the Mother Love Bone singer who died in 1990.
The project united Cornell with musicians who would become central figures in Pearl Jam, including Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament and Mike McCready, alongside Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron. What began as a smaller tribute recording developed into a full-length album that connected several important figures in Seattle’s emerging rock community.
Vedder’s original vocal contribution helped make “Hunger Strike” one of the project’s signature recordings. More than three decades later, his appearance alongside Wilson Jr. offers a new interpretation of the song while maintaining its connection to the musicians and friendships behind its creation.
The collaboration also highlights Wilson Jr.’s ability to move between musical styles. His combination of country songwriting and rock influences makes the Temple of the Dog material a natural meeting point between his musical approach and Vedder’s alternative rock background.
With the official performance video now available, the Ohana Festival moment reaches audiences beyond those who attended the September event.
Meanwhile, Wilson Jr. continues an international touring schedule that includes European performances followed by additional U.S. dates in November and December. His year-end itinerary includes a New Year’s Eve appearance at Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant, Oklahoma.
For longtime Temple of the Dog fans, the collaboration offers another opportunity to revisit a landmark recording. For listeners discovering Wilson Jr., it provides an introduction to his rock influences through a song that remains closely associated with Vedder and Cornell’s musical legacy.
