After nearly three decades behind the drum kit for Pearl Jam, Matt Cameron has officially announced his departure from the band. The veteran drummer confirmed the news through a statement posted on social media on Sunday, marking the end of a 27-year chapter with one of the most enduring names in alternative rock.

“After 27 fantastic years, I have taken my final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam,” Cameron wrote. “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. 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’s statement was met with a flood of support from fans and fellow musicians alike, many of whom view the drummer as an essential part of Pearl Jam’s evolution since the late 1990s. His playing has been a defining element of the band’s sound across multiple albums and tours, including their latest studio effort, Dark Matter, released in 2024.

Pearl Jam also issued a statement recognizing Cameron’s impact on the band, both as a performer and as a longtime friend. “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.”

Cameron initially rose to prominence as the drummer for Soundgarden, where he played from 1986 until the band’s initial breakup in 1997. He rejoined the group during its 2010 reunion and remained a member until frontman Chris Cornell’s passing in 2017. Though he was briefly associated with Queens of the Stone Age, he never formally joined the band. His tenure with Pearl Jam stands as the longest and most consistent stretch of his career.

Cameron officially joined Pearl Jam in 1998 following the departure of original drummer Jack Irons. His first album with the band was 2000’s Binaural, and he remained behind the kit for every studio album that followed, including Riot Act (2002), Pearl Jam (2006), Backspacer (2009), Lightning Bolt (2013), Gigaton (2020), and Dark Matter (2024).

Just weeks before the announcement, Pearl Jam wrapped their Dark Matter world tour, which spanned multiple continents and marked a full year of live performances. The tour supported their twelfth studio album, produced by Andrew Watt, who praised Cameron’s musicianship in a 2024 interview with Rolling Stone. “Matt Cameron is a f*ckin’ drum god. Everyone just bows down to his ability and what he can do,” Watt said. “No one else could sit down and play those drum parts. I’ve listened to the whole album just focusing on the drum track, that’s how much I love Matt Cameron.”

While neither Cameron nor the band have confirmed any future projects or successors, both statements left open the possibility of continued creative paths. Cameron ended his note with the words “More to follow,” suggesting new plans may already be in motion.