Our Long (Inter)national Nightmare Continues: Which Pearl Jam Drummers Will Be at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction?
Up until Matt Cameron was permanently installed as Pearl Jam’s drummer in 1998, the band had issues with the guy at the back of the band. Let’s count ’em up.
1. Dave Krusen (1990-91)
He lasted through just the recording of Ten before he was asked to leave due to personal issues. He immediately checked into rehab. He later ended up in Candlebox and played with a variety of other artists. Dave was replaced by…
2. Matt Chamberlain (1991)
Matt was called in to tour the Ten album through the first half of 1991, but was lured away with a steady full-time gig playing in the Saturday Night Live house band. Then came…
3. Dave Abbruzzese (1991-94)
Recommended for the gig by his friend Matt Chamberlain, Dave #2 was with the band during the recording of both Vs and Vitalogy, two essential albums in the PJ canon. But then he was fired in August 1994 because he apparently rubbed some of the other guys the wrong way. Then the call went out to…
4. Jack Irons (1994-98)
The one-time Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer–and Eddie Vedder’s basketball buddy in San Diego (and the person who tipped Eddie off to the PJ singer gig in the first place)–was drafted. But when it came time to go on the road in support of the Yield album, Jack decided he’d had enough. Which finally brings us to…
5. Matt Cameron (1998- )
And things have been fine ever since, even with Matt doing double-duty with Soundgarden these days.
So here’s the question: Which of these guys should be inducted with Pearl Jam into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Let’s go to the video.
So where do we stand today?
- Dave Krusen has deleted most of his tweets and posted a copy of his drumkit. Does this mean he’s going to play with the band that night?
— dave (@DaveKrusen) March 20, 2017
- Matt Chamberlain sent his best regards, but he won’t be attending.
- To my knowledge, no one has heard from Jack Irons yet.
- Dave Abbruzzese? Still no idea.
- The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has nothing to say
Stay tuned.
