Published: September 28, 2026 · 2:14 AM EDT
The surprise Dana Point duet connected Wilson Jr.’s 2025 cover with the Chris Cornell and Vedder classic first released by Temple of the Dog in 1991
Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder joined Stephen Wilson Jr. for a surprise performance of Temple of the Dog’s “Hunger Strike” at the 2026 Ohana Festival on Saturday, September 26. Vedder appeared during Wilson Jr.’s set at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, California, sharing vocals on the song he originally recorded with Chris Cornell more than three decades ago.
“Hunger Strike” appeared on Temple of the Dog’s self-titled 1991 album and paired Cornell with Vedder on vocals. Cornell wrote the song, while Vedder’s contribution became one of his earliest widely heard recorded performances before Pearl Jam’s debut album Ten arrived later that year.
The collaboration had a direct connection to Wilson Jr.’s own catalog. He recorded a version of “Hunger Strike” for his Blankets EP, released through Big Loud Records in August 2025. The four-song covers project also includes Nirvana’s “Something in the Way,” The Postal Service’s “Clark Gable” and The Smashing Pumpkins’ “Tonight, Tonight.”
Wilson Jr.’s interpretation of ’90s alternative rock has become part of the broader sound surrounding his country songwriting, making Vedder’s appearance particularly fitting. The Ohana performance brought him together onstage with one of the original voices behind a song that helped define the early Seattle era.
Read: Soundgarden, Chris Cornell and the Metal Power of Badmotorfinger: When Seattle Still Sounded Dangerous
The performance took place during the 10th anniversary edition of Ohana Festival, the annual Southern California event founded by Vedder. The 2026 festival ran September 25–27 at Doheny State Beach, with Vedder appearing multiple times across the weekend.
Watch fan-filmed footage of Stephen Wilson Jr. and Eddie Vedder performing “Hunger Strike” at Ohana Festival below:
Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist
IMAGE CREDIT: Screenshot Stephen Wilson Jr. and Eddie Vedder performing “Hunger Strike” at Ohana Festival
