Matt Cameron leaves Pearl Jam after 27 years, confirms he is not retiring

Economic Times

15-07-2025

Matt Cameron, the iconic drummer, has announced his departure from Pearl Jam after 27 years, marking the end of an era. While his exit's reason remains undisclosed, Cameron clarified he's not retiring from music, hinting at future projects. His departure raises questions about Pearl Jam's future and potential involvement in Soundgarden's final album.
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
In a development stunning the rock world, legendary drummer Matt Cameron announced on July 7, 2025, that he is leaving Pearl Jam after a remarkable 27-year tenure—but has firmly denied any rumors of retirement from music. The news marks the end of a major era for the band and its global fanbase.Cameron, who joined Pearl Jam in 1998 following the initial breakup of Soundgarden , officially revealed his departure through a heartfelt Instagram post. He wrote, 'After 27 amazing years, I took my final steps down from the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam… It's been an incredible ride. More to come'.The message expressed deep gratitude towards the band's members- Jeff Ament, Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready, and Stone Gossard- and acknowledged Pearl Jam's staff, crew, and fans worldwide. He thanked them for supporting him through decades marked by creative highs, challenges, and camaraderie.Crucially, Cameron's statement offered no explanation for his exit, feeding speculation across the music community. However, all signs indicate his departure was amicable. Pearl Jam concluded their most recent North American arena tour in May, and Cameron's last show reportedly ended with a champagne toast and heartfelt embraces from his bandmates.In the days following the announcement, Cameron took to Instagram Stories to set the record straight: 'Thank you for the kind words of support, and for the record, I'm still an active musician'. This unequivocal statement quashed rumors that he was retiring from music altogether—a concern that had spread rapidly among fans. While he has not detailed his future plans, Cameron's active status suggests new projects could be on the horizon.Matt Cameron's contributions to modern rock are immense. In addition to Pearl Jam, he is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee: once with Soundgarden and again with Pearl Jam.He played on legendary records for both bands, bringing a trademark power and versatility to tracks across Pearl Jam's discography from 2000's 'Binaural' to 2024's 'Dark Matter'.Cameron's pioneering drumming also shaped the sound of Soundgarden and the supergroup Temple of the Dog , further cementing his legacy.Currently, there are no indications as to who will succeed Cameron behind the drum kit for Pearl Jam. The band has not yet issued an official statement on the search for a new drummer or their future plans for touring and recording.Meanwhile, attention has returned to Cameron's earlier affiliations. Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil recently hinted at the group's interest in completing a final album featuring the late Chris Cornell's last vocal recordings, an endeavor fans hope Cameron may still contribute to.