Drumming News :
In a move that has stunned fans and sent shockwaves through the rock world, longtime Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron announced today that he is leaving the band after nearly three decades. Both Cameron and his now-former bandmates shared the news via social media, thanking each other with heartfelt tributes — but neither party disclosed a reason for the departure.
“After 27 fantastic years, I have taken my final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam,” Cameron wrote. “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.” He went on to express gratitude to the band’s crew, staff, and fans worldwide, calling his time with the group “an incredible journey.”
Pearl Jam responded with an equally emotional message, calling Cameron “a singular and true powerhouse of a musician and drummer,” and crediting him with propelling their live shows and studio recordings over the past 27 years. “He will be deeply missed and is forever our friend in art and music,” the band said.
Cameron’s departure marks the first lineup change in Pearl Jam since he joined in 1998 — a notable milestone, given the band’s history of rotating drummers in its early years. From their formation in 1990 through the release of Yield in 1998, Pearl Jam cycled through Dave Krusen, Matt Chamberlain, Dave Abbruzzese, and Jack Irons before finally finding consistency with Cameron.
Before joining Pearl Jam, Cameron was already a legend in the Seattle scene as the drummer for Soundgarden, where he played on landmark albums like Badmotorfinger and Superunknown. He also collaborated with members of both bands in the beloved one-off project Temple of the Dog.
Cameron’s first studio album with Pearl Jam was 2000’s Binaural, and he remained behind the kit for every release through 2024’s Dark Matter. Outside of Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, he explored side projects such as Drumgasm with Zach Hill and Janet Weiss, released a solo record (Cavedweller) in 2017, and more recently co-founded the group 3rd Secret alongside Krist Novoselic and Kim Thayil.
Cameron was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Pearl Jam in 2017 and is set to be inducted again later this year with Soundgarden. His exit raises immediate questions: Who will replace him? Will he continue making music? And what led to his sudden departure?
Pearl Jam fans may also be reminded of the band’s long and sometimes rocky history with drummers — from Krusen’s early exit due to alcoholism, to Abbruzzese’s controversial firing, to Irons’ struggle with the demands of touring. Yet through it all, Cameron provided the consistency and power the band needed to mature and evolve.
As of now, Cameron has said only that “more [news is] to follow.” Whether this means a new musical chapter or a step away from the spotlight remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: his contributions to Pearl Jam and to the broader legacy of alternative rock are profound and enduring.
