Matt Cameron has given Pearl Jam his last kiss. The drummer announced on Monday (July 7) that he’s leaving the band after more than a quarter century behind the group’s kit.
“After 27 fantastic years, I have taken my final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam. Much love and respect to Jeff [Ament], Ed [Vedder], Mike [McCready] and Stone [Gossard] for inviting me into the band in 1998 and for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, filled with friendships, artistry, challenges and laughter,” he said in a statement posted to Pearl Jam’s social media accounts. “I am forever grateful to the crew, staff and fans the world over. It’s been an incredible journey. More to follow. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
The Eddie Vedder-fronted band also shared its own farewell to Cameron on the same post. “From being one of our first musical heroes in the bands Skinyard and the mighty Soundgarden, to playing on our first demos in 1990, Matt Cameron has been a singular and true powerhouse of a musician and drummer,” the rockers shared in a joint statement. “He has propelled the last 27 years of Pearl Jam live shows and studio recordings. It was a deeply important chapter for our group and we wish him well always. He will be deeply missed and is forever our friend in art and music. We love you Matt.”
Cameron first joined iconic Seattle grunge band Pearl Jam — which formed in the early ’90s — after drummer Jack Irons left. The first man behind the kit for the Grammy-winning group was Dave Krusen, followed by Matt Chamberlain and Dave Abbruzzese. Cameron — who is also known for his work with Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog and others — was with Pearl Jam for the longest out of the four drummers, and also provided backing vocals and wrote multiple songs for the group.
Pearl Jam has landed 14 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 overall in its career thus far, including “Last Kiss,” which peaked at No. 2. Over on the Billboard 200, Pearl Jam has 13 top 10 albums on the all-genre list throughout its career so far, including No. 1 sets Vs. (five weeks, 1993), Vitalogy (one week, 1994), No Code (two weeks, 1996), Backspacer (one week, 2009), and Lightning Bolt (one week, 2013).
Pearl Jam was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017, with David Letterman doing the honors at that year’s ceremony.
See Cameron and Pearl Jam’s statements below:
