Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron announces retirement after 27 years with Seattle band

Matt Cameron, drummer for the famous Seattle grunge band Pearl Jam, has announced his retirement after 27 years with the group.

Cameron took over as the drummer for Pearl Jam in 1998, replacing Jack Irons, who left due to health issues, and has been a part of every Pearl Jam release since the album “Yield.”

Matt Cameron’s statement on leaving Pearl Jam

In a statement on Instagram, Cameron delivered the news to Pearl Jam’s extensive fanbase.

“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,” Cameron wrote. “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.”

Cameron has been with Pearl Jam for eight studio albums, including “Dark Matter,” the latest Grammy-nominated album in Pearl Jam’s discography, released in April 2024.

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The band chimed in with a statement honoring Cameron’s time as a member of Pearl Jam.

“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 wrote. “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.”

‘The Jake and Spike Show’ weighs in

KIRO Newsradio’s “Jake and Spike Show” recapped Matt Cameron’s illustrious career with Soundgarden and Pearl Jam, dubbing Cameron a once-in-a-lifetime influence on Seattle’s culture.

“If you haven’t done this already, go listen to the isolated drum track for ‘Black Hole Sun,'” KIRO Newsradio fill-in host Greg Tomlin said. “Matt Cameron is just a madman genius on that album, and particularly on that track. His drumming sound is the sound of an era and a sound of the Pacific Northwest for decades and decades.”

Cameron was the drummer for six albums within Soundgarden’s discography before their initial breakup in 1997, including “Badmotorfinger,” “Superunknown,” “Down on the Upside,” “King Animal,” the EPs “Screaming Life”/”Fopp,” and “Ultramega OK,” according to AllMusic.

“Would you put Matt Cameron in that category of musicians that cannot be replaced?” Tomlin asked.

“It’s a fair statement to make that Pearl Jam may not be the same,” Spike said. “It’s hard, you can’t have just anybody come into a band where the drummer is such a key component of the band.”

Cameron has been a member of at least seven bands: Temple of the Dog, Wellwater Conspiracy, Skin Yard, Bam Bam, Hater, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam.

“A good drummer is in one band, a great drummer is in five bands,” Spike said. “When a drummer can keep a beat, he is in popular demand, and without that kind of musician, you don’t have a band.”

Listen to the full conversation below.

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