Eddie Vedder is surely the master of ceremonies when he has the microphone in his hand, and a subtle dedication on stage in May at Madison Square Garden showed the attention to detail that makes Vedder one of the finest frontmen in the history of rock and roll. 

“This is for one of my favorite New Yorkers,” Vedder said about halfway through a marathon return to the Garden. “Who sadly passed away many many years ago but always left a big effect on me,” he continued. Now, anyone with knowledge of Pearl Jam will and should assume Vedder is speaking of Joey Ramone, who he has written numerous songs about. “This one’s for Enrico Salavatore Rizzo,” he concluded as the band busted into “Rats.” 

Who? 

Upon further review, Enrico Salvatore Rizzo is Dustin Hoffman’s character in the 1969 film Midnight Cowboy, and Rizzo’s nickname in the film is “Ratso,” making the “Rats” dedication all the more appropriate. The New York City con man dies in the film (SPOILER) but not before he left an impression on the soon-to-be Pearl Jam frontman. 

As the band’s MSG shows finally saw their soundboard release this week, this clever moment that everyone may not have caught is immortalized forever. Watch footage below.