Legendary Rock Band Parts Ways With Longtime Drummer
A legendary rock band that’s been around for decades has announced that it’s parting ways with the band’s longtime percussionist. – Author: Cat Badra, Photo from Danny Clinch
It’s rare for a band to stay intact for several years let alone decades. Most bands seem to only stay active for a few years, while for cover bands, it’s even less. According to Talk Bass, the average life expectancy of a cover band is just 6.2 weeks, and for bands that get two or more gigs, it’s three to six years. The Gear Page says that two to three years “sounds about right” for the life expectancy of most bands.
So, if a band has been around for decades with the same lineup, that’s something to celebrate. Now, one rock band that’s been together since the 1990s has announced that it’s parting ways with its longtime drummer.
Celebrated Rock Drummer Makes Major Announcement
After almost three decades drumming for the grunge rock band Pearl Jam, drummer Matt Cameron has announced that he’s leaving the band. He made the major announcement via an Instagram post on Monday, July 7, where he also thanked his bandmates for their support over the years and teased something big on the way.
“After 27 fantastic years, I have taken my final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam,” stated Cameron, who has been with the grunge rock band since drummer Jack Irons left. “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.”
He added, “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.”
In a separate statement, the band’s members – Mike McCready, Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard and Eddie Vedder – thanked Cameron for his contributions to the group.
“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,” the band members stated in a post to Instagram.
Before becoming a member of Pearl Jam, Cameron performed in grunge bands Bam Bam and Skin Yard. He also famously became the drummer for another major grunge band, Soundgarden. When Soundgarden broke up in the late 1990s, he started drumming for Pearl Jam, and now, it’s easy to forget that he’s not an original member, since he’s been with the band for so long. When Soundgarden got back together, before Chris Cornell’s death, Cameron drummed for both groups.
“He has propelled the last 27 years of Pearl Jam live shows and studio recordings,” the band added in their statement. “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.”
Pearl Jam first formed in Seattle in 1990. They’re considered one of the most influential bands in the grunge movement of the early 1990s, alongside Nirvana, Soundgarden, Tad, Screaming Trees, Mudhoney, Green River and Alice in Chains.
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