Matt Cameron announced on July 7, 2025, that he was leaving Pearl Jam after 27 years. His original statement gave no reason for the departure; in a September interview, he later cited the strain of long shows and constant touring. Pearl Jam did not name a replacement in its announcement.
What Cameron and Pearl Jam said
Cameron shared his departure announcement on Pearl Jam’s social media. “After 27 fantastic years, I have taken my final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam,” he wrote. He thanked Jeff Ament, Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready and Stone Gossard for inviting him into the band in 1998, as well as the crew, staff and fans. He closed with “More to follow.”
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The July announcement did not explain why he was leaving. Pearl Jam called Cameron “a singular and true powerhouse of a musician and drummer,” praised his contribution to the band’s live shows and recordings, and said, “It was a deeply important chapter for our group and we wish him well always.” The band also said he remained a friend. It did not identify a successor. The Associated Press reported the announcement and both statements.
Why Matt Cameron left Pearl Jam
Cameron explained more in an interview published September 17, 2025, by MusicRadar. He said he wanted to redirect his time and energy toward artistic pursuits and described having difficulty with the demands of Pearl Jam’s shows and touring: “I was having some issues with [Pearl Jam’s] three-hour shows and constant touring and stuff.” He also said he had given the band considerable notice and described the parting as amicable. These comments came after the July announcement; they were not its stated reason. MusicRadar reported Cameron’s explanation.
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How Cameron’s Pearl Jam career unfolded
- 1998: Cameron joined Pearl Jam, initially as a temporary replacement for Jack Irons. He was the band’s fifth drummer, following Dave Krusen, Matt Chamberlain, Dave Abbruzzese and Irons.
- 2000: He made his Pearl Jam studio-album debut on Binaural. Joining the band and appearing on an album were distinct milestones.
- 2010–2017: His Pearl Jam work overlapped with his reunion with Soundgarden.
- 2017: Cameron was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Pearl Jam.
- 2024: Pearl Jam released Dark Matter, its 12th studio album, and Cameron completed the yearlong tour supporting it before announcing his departure the following year.
- July 7, 2025: Cameron announced that he was leaving after what he described as 27 years with the band.
Before Pearl Jam, Cameron played in Skin Yard and Soundgarden. The Recording Academy’s biography outlines his work with those bands and Pearl Jam, while ABC News covered his 2017 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction. The Associated Press identified Dark Matter as Pearl Jam’s 12th studio album in its 2025 report.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who is Pearl Jam’s drummer now?
Pearl Jam’s July 2025 departure statement did not name a replacement. In February 2026, Eddie Vedder said the band was rehearsing and “excited for the future,” but did not say who was playing drums in rehearsal. Rolling Stone reported Vedder’s comments. Those remarks establish that the band was rehearsing at that time; they do not identify a permanent successor or establish the lineup after that report.
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