When, How, and Why did Ed's Voice Change? Options

[LiveForNow]

Most people here would agree that Ed's voice has changed over for the years. I agree, and unfortunately I think it changed for the worst (but not as bad as most people would say).

I don't speak music lingo, nor was I a fan of the band until 2008, so all I have to go off of are concert recordings, but to those who have seen the change and know a thing or two about vocals, what exactly happened? Why did it happen? When did it start to change, in what ways, and how has it continued to change?

Please be as unbiased as you can be and keep your theories scientific. Comments like "Because Ed's ego got in the way" doesn't really answer the how or even the what for that matter.

This post has been edited by LiveForNow: Nov 18 2016, 4:07 pm

[World Dreamer]

Most people here would agree that Ed's voice has changed over for the years. I agree, and unfortunately I think it changed for the worst (but not as bad as most people would say).

I don't speak music lingo, nor was I a fan of the band until 2008, so all I have to go off of are concert recordings, but to those who have seen the change and know a thing or two about vocals, what exactly happened? Why did it happen? When did it start to change, in what ways, and how has it continued to change?

Please be as unbiased as you can be and keep your theories scientific. Comments like "Because Ed's ego got in the way" doesn't really answer the how or even the what for that matter.

A lot goes into an answer to this question.

You mentioned you became a fan in 2008. I wish you could have seen Ed early on. Differing opinions aside, 90's Live is why everyone is still following this band. They were that good. They were so good that after 20 years of wetting the bed they still have fans. Not many, but here we are.

Back in the day Live toured a lot and Ed gave everything he had. He was intense and passionate (which is why I feel like Shinn was great - he had amazing passion at shows) and he sang his heart out. It takes a toll. Think of a Chris Cornell. He can't do near what he used to. Still sounds good but has been almost forced into a more acoustic, mellow sound. Our good friend Kevin Martin is the same way. When he sings mellow and slow his voice is pure and sounds like it always has (which Ed does now if he does acoustic shows) but when he gets loose and loud it is much different than 15 years ago.

If you compare Eddie Vedder now to how he sounded during Ten it is a huge difference.

It comes with the territory of singing "abrasive" songs.

Also, I know at one point Ed did have vocal surgery. I do not know the specifics but one has to assume it changed things.

Hell, I spoke in another thread about Shinn bringing back the grit and angst of early Live but if he had to do that for 4 albums and the tours that go with it I bet his voice would suffer as well.

I mean Ed has been singing since he was 14? 15? Even Michael Jordan got slow towards the end of his career.

If I didn't like hearing myself type then I would have given you the short answer...Father Time.