“Much love to Jeff, Ed, Mike and Stone for inviting me into the band in 1998 and for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, filled with friendships, artistry, challenges and laughter,” the drummer said
Matt Cameron has departed from Pearl Jam. In a social media statement, the drummer announced he would be leaving the band after 27 years. “Much love and respect to Jeff, Ed, Mike and Stone 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. “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.”
In a separate statement, the band — now consisting of Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready, and Eddie Vedder — championed the time they spent performing with Cameron. “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,” Pearl Jam wrote.
Cameron performed with Soundgarden from 1986 until 1997, and returned for a brief stint from 2010 through 2017, and briefly worked with Queens of the Stone Age, though he never officially joined the band. Pearl Jam marked his longest stretch of time in a band.
“He has propelled the last 27 years of Pearl Jam live shows and studio recordings,” the band shared. “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.”
In May, Pearl Jam concluded their year-long Dark Matter world tour. The live show supported their 12th studio album of the same name. “Matt Cameron is a fuckin’ drum god. Everyone just bows down to his ability and what he can do,” Dark Matter producer Andrew Watt told Rolling Stone in 2024. “No one else could sit down and play those drum parts. I’m so lucky to have the stems of the album. I’ve listened to it all the way through listening to just the drum track. That’s how much I love Matt Cameron.”
