Fans Leave Pearl Jam Show After Bush Mask Defaced

Fans at a Pearl Jam concert in Denver Tuesday walked out after lead singer Eddie Vedder pierced a mask of President George W. Bush on a microphone stand, then slammed it to the stage and stepped on it.

Vedder wore the mask for the band's encore while performing the song "Bushleaguer" from Pearl Jam's latest album "Riot Act."

(See lyrics from "Bushleaguer")

According to the Rocky Mountain News, dozens of angry fans walked out in the middle of the song because of the display.

The concert at Denver's Pepsi Center was the U.S. tour opener for the band.

Vedder had made antiwar comments earlier in the show. Some people in the crowd cheered and others booed, the newspaper reported.

"When he was sharing his political views in a fairly benign manner, supporting our troops, opposing policy, that's OK," said Keith Zimmerman of Denver, who walked out of the show. "When he takes what looks like the head of George Bush on a stick, then throws it on the stage and stomps on it, that's just unacceptable," Zimmerman told the newspaper.

At one point during the show, Vedder chided a heckler.

"Did someone say 'Shut up?' " he said. "I don't know if you've heard about this thing called freedom of speech. It's worth thinking about, because it's going away."

Pearl Jam's manager could not be reached for comment about the walkout, the paper reported.

The band is expected to play Oklahoma City Thursday night.