Pearl Jam lose ‘deeply important’ member after 27 years

Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron has left the grunge pioneers after almost three decades.

The 62-year-old made his name with Soundgarden before the Chris Cornell-led band split in 1997. He joined Pearl Jam the following year. He also played with Cornell in the supergroup Temple of the Dog.

In a statement posted to the band’s official social media accounts, Cameron wrote: “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, 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.

“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, Matt Cameron.”

In an additional statement, the band added: “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.

“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.”

Cameron’s final album with the band was 2024’s Dark Matter. In a four-star review, The Independent’s Louis Chilton wrote: “When you’ve been in the game for three decades, staying relevant is a tall order. Seattle-based grunge rockers Pearl Jam know this all too well. Since their breakthrough record, Ten, 33 years and 11 albums have passed by, now including their latest LP. Wisely, Dark Matter sees the band abandon the pursuit of relevance in search of something timeless.

“Across 11 songs, Pearl Jam – vocalist Eddie Vedder, drummer Matt Cameron, bassist Jeff Ament, lead guitarist Mike McCready, and rhythm guitarist Stone Gossard – traverse a variety of alt-rock sounds, from the sharp, scratchy guitars that tear through album opener ‘Scared of Fear’ to the hopeful pop-rock sensibility of ‘Something Special’.

“Written about Vedder’s children, the latter is elevated by some ambitious and unexpected chord progressions... Musically, Dark Matter is some of their catchiest and punchiest material in years. It’ll have you nodding your head – but it’ll never let you get comfortable.”