Drummer Matt Cameron is leaving the American rock band Pearl Jam after 27 years. “It has been an incredible journey,” he writes on Instagram.
“After 27 fantastic years, I sat behind the drum kit of Pearl Jam for the last time. Much love and respect to Jeff, Ed, Mike, and Stone for inviting me to play in the band in 1998,” says the 62-year-old Cameron.
Playing for Pearl Jam was “the chance of a lifetime” for the drummer and gave him “friendship, artistry, challenges, and fun.” “I am forever grateful to the crew, staff, and all the fans around the world. It was an incredible journey and it’s not over yet. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Pearl Jam will miss Cameron. “He has been a unique and true powerhouse of a musician and drummer,” states the band of singer Eddie Vedder, bassist Jeff Ament, and guitarists Mike McCready and Stone Gossard. “He has powered the last 27 years of Pearl Jam live shows and studio recordings. It was a very important chapter for our group and we wish him all the best. He will be greatly missed and is forever our friend in art and music.”
It is not known who will replace Cameron.
Pearl Jam scored hits like Black, Alive, Even Flow and Just Breathe. The band has sold around 100 million albums worldwide.