There was a time when Pearl Jam switching up the person behind the package was an everyday prevalence. You bought used to it as a Pearl Jam fan – it’s simply what they did yearly or so, you even thought that they have been getting via the world’s inhabitants so quickly that possibly at some point you’d get a go. However the addition of Matt Cameron in 1998 modified all that. Cameron isn’t only a powerhouse super-player as a drummer, though he’s that, however he additionally introduced a reassuring calm to Pearl Jam. There was a way this was the line-up that was all the time meant to be – in any case, Cameron had performed drums on the group’s very first demo, the instrumental set of songs that included formative variations of As soon as, Footsteps, Black, Alive, Breath, Even Circulate, Animal and Alone that discovered their approach to Eddie Vedder.
It was a little bit of a shock, then, when the previous Soundgarden man introduced just lately that he was leaving the group. “After 27 improbable years, I’ve taken my last steps down the drum riser for the may Pearl Jam,” Cameron stated in a press release. “A lot love and respect to Jeff, Ed, Mike and Stone for inviting me into the band in 1998 and for giving me the chance of a lifetime, stuffed with friendships, artistry, challenges and laughter.”
“I’m ceaselessly grateful to the crew, employees and followers the world over,” he continued, “It’s been an unbelievable journey. Extra to observe. I thanks all from the underside of my coronary heart. Peace and love.”
The “extra to observe” alludes to Cameron’s subsequent transfer – it will actually be a flip up for the books if he was in line to fill the vacant slot on the drums in Foo Fighters. However that appears unlikely. Even when he clarified this week that he was not retiring, it’s exhausting to see the 62-year-old leaving one rock titan simply to affix one other. It is extra possible he desires to proceed making music however simply not on a scale that calls for a full world tour each few years (it’s a unique state of affairs for former Foos drummer Josh Freese, although – he should fancy his possibilities as the subsequent PJ sticksman). And so, then, for the primary time in virtually three a long time, it’s time so as to add one other identify to the checklist of Former Pearl Jam Drummers. You be a part of a hardy bunch, Matt Cameron. Right here they’re…
Dave Krusen (1990-1991)
The band’s first drummer was a much-admired native veteran and there for the primary rehearsals with Vedder, when the band launched into a magical seven-day inauguration throughout which most of Ten got here collectively, proper via to the recording of their era-defining debut album. However Krusen was within the grips of alcohol habit and, three months earlier than the discharge of the file, left the band to go to rehab. Placing a happier finish on the story, Krusen joined the band for his or her induction to the Rock And Roll Corridor Of Fame in 2017 and performed quite a few Ten cuts with them at a present in Fresno, California in 2022 when Matt Cameron was sidelined with Covid.
Brad Wilk (1991)
Not that he was an official member at any level, however given his credentials it’s value a point out. Future Rage In opposition to The Machine drummer Wilk was a good friend of Vedder’s and searching for a band in 1991 – Pearl Jam flew him over to England, the place they have been mixing Ten, nevertheless it wasn’t the precise pairing. “It was cool nevertheless it didn’t mesh,” stated Mike McCready. “He was a extremely heavy drummer, as from Rage In opposition to The Machine.” Fortunately for Wilk, his excellent band was proper not far away.
Matt Chamberlain (1991)
As an alternative, the band recruited former Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians man Matt Chamberlain, who joined them on their first tour and appeared within the video for future smash hit Alive. It was a short-lived stint, although – Chamberlain wasn’t within the temper for becoming a member of a band long-term or hitting the highway for lengthy stretches, taking a job within the Saturday Evening Reside home band as a substitute. Sarcastically sufficient, years later Chamberlain would fill in for Matt Cameron in Soundgarden as a result of Cameron was on the highway with Pearl Jam. Small world, this drummer lark. Earlier than Chamberlain left Pearl Jam, he beneficial a drummer he’d seen down in Dallas, by the identify of…
Dave Abbruzzesse (1991-1994)
Exuberant Texas-raised drummer Abbruzzesse gave off the vibes he is likely to be a too full on after a primary date by marching down and getting Pearl Jam’s stick determine brand tattooed on his shoulder simply two exhibits into his time with the band. However he caught round for a bit, taking part in on their mega-selling second album earlier than getting his marching orders over breakfast with Stone Gossard while they have been recording third album Vitalogy. “The issue was he wanted to slot in with a bunch of 5 very totally different, robust personalities and do it in a means that labored with these 5 personalities,” Gossard defined within the band opus Pearl Jam Twenty. “I’m sorry that it didn’t work out. I want it had.” Which implies: Jeff Ament and Eddie Vedder didn’t actually like him.
Jack Irons (1994-1998)
Ex-Chili Peppers drummer Irons is an integral to the early Pearl Jam story as Matt Cameron – it was Irons who handed on that tape of instrumental demos to Eddie Vedder. Pearl Jam wouldn’t have existed with out that connection. Irons had been within the combine for all the earlier drummer conversations however had been reluctant to affix a band that had change into so large so shortly. However now he felt prefer it was time, and received the day in auditions that additionally included Richard Stuverud and Josh Freese. Irons was there for a second of giant shapeshifting for the band and he was essential to a few of their extra exploratory moments on 1996’s No Code and 1998’s Yield, in addition to his rolling, expansive drumming model offering the rhythmic anchor for tracks akin to In My Tree and Given To Fly. He left attributable to well being points. Irons had stopped taking medicine for bipolar dysfunction however realised he wouldn’t have the ability to tour and departed in April 1998. The band have been simply weeks away from a US tour and wanted a substitute quick…
Matt Cameron (1998-2025)
And so to the percussive dynamo who drummed Pearl Jam into the fashionable age. Cameron thought he was simply filling in on the short-term when he joined the band in 1998 nevertheless it was an ideal match – he’s been an important a part of the band ever since, co-writing among the greatest songs they’ve launched since, together with The Fixer, Get Proper and Save You extra. “What’s he finished for the group is unfathomable,” stated Eddie Vedder in 2011. “Not simply as a drummer however as a human, a musician, a songwriter.” “It got here full circle with Matt,” added Mike McCready. “It’s very Spinal Faucet of us to have this many drummers.” And now, the seat is empty once more. It’s exhausting to think about the subsequent recruit – whether or not it’s Freese, or Josh Klinghoffer or Richard Stuverad, who’ve each stood-in on drum duties beforehand, or possibly the Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith, who has performed on Vedder’s solo work – having as a lot as an impression. However Pearl Jam appear removed from finished, so we’ll discover out somehow.
