Matt Cameron announced on Monday that he is parting ways with Pearl Jam after a 27-year tenure as the drummer for the iconic grunge-rock outfit.
A note posted to both the Matt Cameron and Pearl Jam social media accounts reads, “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], [Eddie Vedder], [Mike McCready] and [Stone Gossard] for inviting me into the band in 1998 and for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, one filled with friendships, artistry, challenges and laughter, I am forever grateful to the crew, staff and fans the world over. It’s been an incredible journey.”
“More to follow. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart” the drummer added to close his note. “Peace and Love, Matt Cameron.”
A separate “message from the band” shared by the Pearl Jam accounts reads, “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. 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.”
Related: Is This Spinal Tap? A Roundup Of The Many Bands Who Just Split With Their Drummer [Videos]
Matt Cameron was already a fixture in the Seattle rock scene well before his time in Pearl Jam. In addition to early grunge acts like Bam Bam and Skin Yard, Cameron was notably recruited by Chris Cornell in the late ’80s to play drums in Soundgarden. After earning international acclaim and accolades, Soundgarden split in 1997, leaving Cameron without a gig.
Matt Cameron Breaks Down “Black Hole Sun” (Soundgarden) Drum Part
[Video: Drumeo]
In 1998, when Pearl Jam’s Jack Irons split with the group due to reported dissatisfaction with its heavy touring schedule, the band tapped Cameron—who had already collaborated with the group’s members as part of Temple of the Dog—to fill in temporarily. Cameron quickly learned scores of songs and jumped behind the kit with Pearl Jam on the road. Before the tour was completed, the band had invited him to stay on full-time. He was eventually inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, as a member of both Soundgarden and Pearl Jam.
Related: Remembering The Tragic Death That Gave Life To Temple Of The Dog & Pearl Jam
Matt Cameron’s final performance with Pearl Jam came on the final night of the group’s recent spring tour at Pittsburgh, PA’s PPG Paints Arena. Below, watch Cameron perform his final two songs with the band: an encore pairing of “Yellow Ledbetter” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing”.
Pearl Jam – Final Songs with Matt Cameron on Drums – “Yellow Ledbetter”, “Little Wing” (Jimi Hendrix) – 5/18/25
[Video: Jim Powers]
Pearl Jam has not yet announced its plans for a new drummer following Cameron’s exit—and, with no tour dates on the band’s upcoming schedule, there’s no real rush for Vedder and company to do so. In the meantime, you can dig into your favorite Matt Cameron-era Pearl Jam live recordings on nugs here.
Matt Cameron’s exit from Pearl Jam is the latest in a peculiarly long list of drummers who have split with their longtime bands (for one reason or another) in recent months. Among the other band-splits-with-drummer narratives of late was Foo Fighters‘ firing of Josh Freese, who had held down the drum throne for the Dave Grohl-fronted band since the passing of original drummer Taylor Hawkins in 2022. Before Foo Fighters named Freese as the band’s new drummer, Cameron had to speak up to quell a widespread online rumor that he would be joining the Foos. Read a roundup of recent band/drummer splits here.
Wishing the best of luck to both Pearl Jam and Matt Cameron as they begin this new chapter.
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