Pearl Jam Drummer Matt Cameron Leaves Band After 27 Years

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Originally appeared on E! Online

Matt Cameron has taken his final bow in Pearl Jam.

After almost three decades with the legendary grunge band, Matt announced his departure in a heartfelt note reflecting on his time rocking with Eddie Vedder, Jeff Ament, Mike McCready and Stone Gossard.

“After 27 fantastic years, I have taken my final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam,” Matt, 62, said in a July 7 statement shared on the band’s Instagram. “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.”

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He 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. Peace and Love.”

And while Matt didn’t share the formal reason for his departure, his former bandmates responded with a statement of support.

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“From being one of our first musical heroes in the bands Skin Yard 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 band said in a statement shared in the following slide. “He has propelled the last 27 years of Pearl Jam live shows and studio recordings.”

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“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,” the four continued. “We love you Matt.”

Matthew Baker/Getty Images

Matt officially joined Pearl Jam in 1998, after the departure of drummer Jack Irons. Matt had previously played alongside future Pearl Jam members Eddie, Jeff, Stone and Mike and Soundgarden bandmate Chris Cornell in the 1990 tribute band Temple of the Dog dedicated to their late friend Andrew Wood. (Pearl Jam formed that same year.)

In 2000, two years after he began playing with the Grammy-winning band, Matt made his debut on Pearl Jam’s sixth studio album Binaural. And in 2017, Matt was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame with the group.

Matt recently spoke about getting the call to step in and help his old friends which quickly led to his permanent spot in the group.

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“The band just accepted me right away, we had a history together. We were friends and everything,” he explained on the May 30 episode of Drumeo. “I think they were in a little bit of a bind when they did ask me to join. I agreed to fill in for their drummer Jack at the time, and I think they had a tour in like three weeks or something like that.”

“But it was so fun” he explained. “I mean they are great guys, great music, great band. So, it really wasn’t that much of a shift in working, cause I had been touring for 11 years straight at that point. It was just a really nice opportunity that I appreciated.”