Cameron announced that he’d “taken [his] final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam” in a statement posted on the band’s social media pages. “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,” Cameron’s statement continued. “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.”
Unlike some other drummer-related drama of late (cough, Foo Fighters, cough, The Who), it sounds like Cameron and the band split on completely amicable terms. “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 rest of the band wrote in their own 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.”
Whispering hands have now led five separate drummers away from Pearl Jam, though Cameron stuck around the longest. Dave Krusen was the first to depart, followed by Matt Chamberlain, Dave Abbruzzese, and Jack Irons. Spinal Tap was spot on about rock bands cycling through drummers, but at least Cameron got to go out on his own terms without spontaneously combusting or perishing in a bizarre gardening accident.
